Health Warning - Unsafe Recreational Water Quality at Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Road (Don’s Hole)
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in consecutive samples taken from Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Road (Don’s Hole).
Dr Claire Salter, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens.
Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
An existing health warning at Waihao River at Gum Tree Flat Road (Don’s Hole) remains in place for harmful algal bloom (benthic cyanobacteria). This warning was issued on 21 November 2025.
For further details and sites where water quality is affected visit:
- https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region/river-quality/waihao-river/waihao-river-at-gum-tree-flat-road-dons-hole
- https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region
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