Data sourced from SafeSwim.org.nz (read their FAQ). See below for a table clarifying icon meanings.
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Icon | Action Level | Water Depth for Low Risk1 |
Description |
---|---|---|---|
Very Low Risk
|
< 70 Enterococci/100mL | Any | Very low public health risk. |
Low Risk
|
70–140 Enterococci/100mL | Any | Low public health risk. |
Moderate Risk
|
140–280 Enterococci/100mL | 1m | Low risk: 1% of swimmers are likely to become ill.2 |
High Risk
|
280–420 Enterococci/100mL | 2m | Moderate risk: 2–3% of swimmers are likely to become ill.2 |
High Risk
|
420–700 Enterococci/100mL | 3m | High risk: 3–5% of swimmers are likely to become ill.2 |
Very High Risk
|
700–980 Enterococci/100mL | 4m | High risk: 5–7% of swimmers are likely to become ill.2 |
Very High Risk
|
> 980 Enterococci/100mL | 5m | Very high risk: More than 7% of swimmers are likely to become ill.2 |
Alert
|
Wastewater Overflow Alert | N/A | A water quality alert is currently in effect due to a recent wastewater overflow in this area. Swimming not advised. |
1 Swimming at the specified water depth reduces the risk level to low. Safeswim makes water quality predictions for a water depth of 0.5m. Enterococci levels are halved for every doubling of water depth. As such, a reading of 400 (moderate risk) would be reduced to 100 (low risk) at a depth of 2m. Distance from shore also reduces the levels (and risk) but that factor is not considered here.
2 Percentages are based on swimmers being close to shore at a water depth of 0.5m.
In water used for swimming and other recreation, low counts of enterococci are acceptable, but too much faecal contamination can cause gastroenteritis or infections of ears, eyes, nasal cavity, skin, and the upper respiratory tract. When enterococci are detected above 280 per 100 mL, swimming is not recommended.
Safeswim follows international and national guidelines designed to provide water quality advice for swimmers close to shore. Swimming in deep water offshore is less likely to lead to illness.