Warnings and Alerts

Advisory Note: Caution – Cyanobacteria found on the Opihi River at Parke Road   Environment Canterbury has found increased growth of benthic cyanobacteria on the Opihi River at Parke Road. We advise the public to be vigilant around these rivers and avoid contact with water if black mats are prese...

Swimmers Itch Swimmers itch, also known as ‘duck itch’ or cercarial dermatitis, is caused by exposure to tiny larvae or cercariae in shallow, warm water and can cause an allergic irritation of the skin.Symptoms can include an itchy or tingling sensation that develops into tiny red spots, pimple-lik...

WARNING ISSUED 24/12/2017 - ONGOING BLOOMS Updated 17/11/2020 Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health unit has been advised by Environment Canterbury that the dominant species of potentially toxic blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) found in Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihor...