Waikato Regional Council has kicked off its summer coastal monitoring programme. The annual programme collects data about water quality at popular Waikato beaches and estuaries for recreation activities like swimming and surfing.
Between 6 November and 31 March, council staff – assisted by two summer student workers – will collect coastal water samples weekly at multiple locations in the Waikato region including Raglan.
Although concern about water quality is high in Whaingaroa at the moment this work was already planned by the regional council to occur over summer.
The results will be available on the national environmental data platform, Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Currently the website shows the most recent results at Papahua to be safe for swimming but had also been showing long term issues in the inlet after some high readings for fecal indicator bacteria last month.
Coastal and Marine Science Team Leader Dr Michael Townsend was also reminding people that they “always advocate for people not to swim in water for up to two days after heavy rain.” regardless of the current reading.
Whaingaroa Repair Cafe is holding a special masterclass this Wednesday evening where their expert repairers can show you HOW the repair is made, WHAT materials you might need to do the repair and WHY repairing is the best option for your item.
If you’re struggling with a piece of tech and would like to be able to fix it yourself bring it along to the evening and Jake from Raglan Computer Services will show you how it’s done.
Space is limited so please book ahead with Whaingaroa Repair Cafe on social media or via the environment centre
Time is running out if you want to submit to the Waikato Coastal Plan with submissions closing at the Regional Council on Tuesday. The coastal plan is the rulebook for activities in the coastal marine area out to 12 nautical miles.
The windfarm proposed by Bluefloat Energy will be outside the zone but the Coastal Plan will govern water quality, indigenous biodiversity and natural hazards while managing activities like the use of resources, the occupation of space, extraction of sand and other materials, aquaculture, the protection of natural features and landscapes (seascapes) as well as the discharge of contaminants.