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Water quality

New Zealand has a diverse range of aquatic environments from mountain springs to the deep sea, connected by an intricate network of rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and groundwater systems.

By world standards the quality of New Zealand’s fresh and marine waters are exceptional. They support a unique array of flora and fauna and are highly regarded internationally for their recreational value. However land-use intensification, both rural and urban, is placing increasing pressure on the quality of these resources, affecting their usefulness as recreational venues and their life-supporting capacity. Declining water quality also has implications for human health.

The Ministry for the Environment has worked closely with local government and health agencies to develop the new Microbiological Water Quality Guidelines. These guidelines provide a framework for monitoring and reporting on the quality of recreational waters. The Ministry has produced a national snap-shot report on the quality of recreational waters over recent summers in New Zealand.

The Ministry has received very useful feedback from agencies implementing the Guidelines. That feedback has been collated into a selection of frequently asked questions.

The Ministry has also been involved in the development of the ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines, which have a particular focus on managing toxic contaminants.

Other water quality projects that the Ministry has been involved with include: