latest survey period was lower than normal in
comparison with historical surveys. The total number of samples falling within the “Alert” or “Action”
categories (39% of samples) across the 16 recognised bathing sites was among the highest recorded.
However, it should be noted that the “Action” category is the only category for which swimming is not
recommended. In the 2018-2019 season, 79% of all samples met the national bathing guideline. Of the 21%
of samples that exceeded the
Lower Waiwhakaiho Catchment Annual Report 2023-2024
reflect that rainfall at the coast is richer in chloride and
sodium, compared to rainfall that falls inland. Nearly two thirds of GQMP sites plot
below the SWDL, suggesting that much of the region’s groundwater is enriched with
sodium from rock/water interactions with sodium rich source rocks.
26. An analysis of nitrate concentrations over the entire GQMP network suggests that there
has been little change in groundwater nitrate levels over the last five years. There is
weak statistical
Councillor B K Raine
Councillor D L Lean (ex officio)
Councillor D N MacLeod (ex officio)
Representative Ms E Bailey (Iwi Representative)
Members Councillor G Boyde (Stratford District Council)
Mr J Hooker (Iwi Representative)
Councillor R Jordan (New Plymouth District Council)
Mr P Muir (Taranaki Federated Farmers)
Councillor P Nixon (South Taranaki District Council)
Mr M Ritai (Iwi Representative)
Apologies Councillor C S Williamson
Notification of Late Items
E.coli/Enterococci samples falling in each band of the MfE contact recreation
guidelines over the 2018-2019 bathing season 21
Figure 15 Do questionnaire respondents check conditions prior to visiting a recreational site? 22
page
iii
Figure 16 Conditions checked by survey respondents prior to visiting a site 22
Figure 17 Websites used when checking site conditions prior to a visit 23
Figure 18 If questionnaire respondents would still visit a recreational site when a …
are around 13-14°C, while temperatures at Taranaki
Maunga Dawson Falls and North Egmont Visitor Centre
average slightly over 9°C. Winter temperatures average
between 7 and 8°C, with a fresher 3°C at our mountain sites.
Summer daily averages are from 19 to 20°C, and 16°C on
Taranaki Maunga. Although summer days can feel hot, the
temperate climate, and our proximity to the
ocean mean that, in summer, the mercury rarely climbs
above 30°C.
Averages °C New Plymouth
freshwater quality is good
to excellent, with rivers falling within quality bands A to B as set
out in the NOF. The region’s small number of lakes largely fall
within the bands A to C.
Where the A to C grading is not achieved, the causes are
generally natural and thus exempt from national bottom line
requirements.
In many cases, the Taranaki Regional Council already monitors
waterway health more intensively than is required under the
NOF, and has a very detailed
after
intense rainfall on 19 and 20 June resulted in
widespread flooding and slips and severe
disruptions to roading and electricity networks
throughout Taranaki. A Civil Defence State Of
Emergency was declared at 9pm on Saturday
20 June, and remained in place for a week.
The heaviest rain was in inland South Taranaki
but throughout the region, about 60 local roads
were blocked by slips and washouts and in at
least one case, repairs are expected to take
topsoil was stable, the perimeter of the application area had been worked to
incorporate the muds. The center of the spreading area appeared to have unblended
mud on the surface. Some ponding was evident from recent heavy rain in the south
west corner of the spreading area. No hydrocarbons were found around any of the
spreading area. Historic application areas appeared healthy and the pasture cover was
good. Mud clumps were identified within the soil profile in dig test pits.
The following