A just-released snapshot paints another worrying picture of New Zealand’s rivers. 

Land, Air, Water Aotearoa project data shows up to two-thirds of monitored rivers are graded poorly for E. coli contamination. 

The analysis reveals E. coli levels are the highest in those sites surrounded by urban and pastoral land. 

Cawthron Institute scientist Roger Young told Mike Hosking more effort is needed to turn the trends around. 

“It’s definitely a swimming problem, it’s not such an issue for wading, but it’s certainly for swimming.” 

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