LAWA provides New Zealand's most comprehensive recreational water quality information to help you decide where and when to swim. The swim icons on LAWA show how water quality test results compare to national swim guidelines.
Avoid swimming after heavy rain
For all sites, including those with generally good water quality, wait at least two days after heavy or prolonged rain before swimming. Run-off from rural and urban areas can carry pollutants that affect water quality and pose health risks. See the Swim Smart Checklist for more tips.
Latest result
The circle shaped swim icon shows the recent water quality result from weekly water quality monitoring* or the current predicted risk**.
 |
Suitable for swimming. This site met the water quality guidelines for faecal indicator bacteria and/or toxic algae when sampled, OR the predicted result is that this site has a low health risk and likely to meet water quality guidelines for swimming. |
 |
Caution advised. Water quality usually suitable for swimming, but young children, elderly or those with compromised health may be at increased risk. For lakes and rivers that are routinely monitored for toxic algae – this site exceeded the surveillance criteria when recently tested. Avoid contact where toxic algae is present. |
 |
Unsuitable for swimming. This site did not meet the water quality standards for faecal indicator bacteria when sampled, OR the predicted result is that this site has a high health risk and is unlikely to meet water quality guidelines for swimming. For lakes and rivers that are routinely monitored for toxic algae - this site exceeded the action level criteria when recently tested. Avoid contact with the water and toxic algae on the edge of the water. |
 |
Not available. The predicted data is temporarily unavailable, or the weekly monitoring result is more than 2 weeks old (or more than 3 weeks old for toxic algae).
|
*Councils test the water quality of popular swim sites weekly during the recreational bathing season. The weekly test results offer a snapshot of what the water quality was like at the time of sampling. However, water quality can change. If there has been significant rain in the past 2-3 days, or the water looks or smells unpleasant, then it is best to stay out.
**In the Auckland, Northland and Wellington regions, the water quality at most sites are modelled to provide 'real-time' predictions of the current water quality.
Results are shown against national water quality guidelines - see the Recreational water quality monitoring in New Zealand factsheet for more.
Special status
This category is generally assigned to sites with a history of poor water quality or for temporary water quality issues posing increased health risks, such as pollution events or toxic algal blooms. The special status takes precedence over recent water quality test results, and is removed once local authorities confirm the issue has resolved or the conditions have changed.
 |
Unsuitable for swimming. This site has a long history of poor water quality, OR has been temporarily assigned this status due to a recent event causing water quality issues (e.g. a pollution event, a toxic algal bloom) or if the site has otherwise been determined unsuitable for swimming by local authorities. See the site page for more information on why a site has been assigned this special status. |
 |
Caution advised. Current conditions at this site may pose an elevated risk to swimmers. The site may be experiencing temporary water quality issues, or if toxic algae levels are elevated (in freshwater) you should avoid contact. See the site page for more information on why a site has been assigned this special status. |
|
|
Suitable for swimming. This represents some of the best recreational water quality sites in New Zealand. A site assigned this status has been shown over a number of years and conditions to have water quality that is considered excellent for swimming, but is not monitored this season. These sites have met the following criteria: no known risk factors (e.g. algal blooms or discharges), no exceedances of the national guidelines within the last 3 years, and the 95th percentile result is less than 50 Enterococci / 100ml or less than 160 E. coli /100ml for data measured over the last 6 years with a minimum of 60 data points. |
Long-term grade
The square shaped swim icons show the long-term grade. This is calculated from the weekly monitoring results for faecal indicator bacteria collected over the previous five years, and is a precautionary risk guide to water quality at a site over the recreational bathing season. Long-term grade swim icons are shown by default when there are no recent monitoring results available.
 |
Excellent. This represents some of the best recreational water quality sites. A site assigned this status has been shown over a number of years and conditions to have water quality that is considered excellent for swimming.
|
 |
Good. This represents sites that usually meet water quality guidelines, and water quality is considered generally suitable for swimming. |
 |
Fair. This represents sites in New Zealand that sometimes exceed the water quality guidelines, and water quality is often suitable for swimming. To better understand the risk at this site, we recommend looking at the monitoring history. |
 |
Poor. This represents sites that occasionally or frequently exceed water quality guidelines. To better understand the risk at this site, we recommend looking at the monitoring history or contacting the council for more information. |
|
|
Not available. There are not enough monitoring data to calculate a long-term grade for this site. |
Long-term grades are determined using national guidelines - see the Recreational water quality monitoring in New Zealand factsheet for more information.
Reminder - water quality can change
When deciding where and when to swim, we advise that you check to see that the water is clean and clear, and to avoid swimming for 2-3 days after significant rain.
At some sites, LAWA can access nearby real-time rainfall or river flow data. At these sites, the raindrop icon will appear when there has been enough rainfall to potentially affect the water quality.
 |
Conditions may have changed. There has been significant rain since the water quality was last tested. This may have affected the water quality at this site. |
More information
- Faecal indicator bacteria (Enterococci and E. coli) factsheet
- Toxic algae factsheet
- Recreational water quality monitoring in New Zealand factsheet