Water Quality in Rivers

Details taken from the LAWA website. Over 10 years 2015 - 2024.

Waitakaruru River 

This site is a Lowland Rural site. Water quality site at Coxhead Road Bridge. The riparian zone consists largely of grassy banks but there are also native and exotic trees that line the banks in places. The fine substrate present provides suitable habitat for dense aquatic plant growths at this site.

E coli
In the worst 25% of all sites
Trend: Very Likely Degrading
For more than 30% of the time, the estimated risk is >=50 in 1000 (>5% risk). The predicted average infection risk is >7%*.

Ammoniacal nitrogen
Covers two forms of nitrogen: ammonia and ammonium. Animal waste (particularly from humans and farmed animals such as sheep and cows) is the major source of ammoniacal nitrogen in New Zealand waterways.
In the worst 50% of all sites
Trend: Indeterminate
99% species protection level: No observed effect on any species tested.

Total Phosphorus (TP)
Total phosphorus is a measure of all forms of phosphorus in the water, including dissolved and particulate, organic and inorganic. High levels of total phosphorus in water can come from either wastewater or run-off from agricultural land. Too much phosphorus can encourage the growth of nuisance plants such as algal blooms. 
In the worst 25% of all sites
Trend: Indeterminate

Piako River

This site is a Lowland Rural site. There is a water quality and flow recording site located on the Piako River accessed via the Paeroa-Tahuna Road Bridge. The substrate at this site consists of sand and silt with macrophyte beds prevalent, especially over the summer months. The river is fenced and the riparian zone consists of grasses, exotic weeds and shrubs with native Totara trees lining the banks in places.

E coli
In the worst 25% of all sites
Trend: Very Likely Degrading
For more than 30% of the time, the estimated risk is >=50 in 1000 (>5% risk). The predicted average infection risk is >7%*.

Ammoniacal nitrogen
Covers two forms of nitrogen: ammonia and ammonium. Animal waste (particularly from humans and farmed animals such as sheep and cows) is the major source of ammoniacal nitrogen in New Zealand waterways.
In the worst 25% of all sites
Trend: Very Likely Degrading
95% species protection level: Starts impacting occasionally on the 5% most sensitive species.

Total Phosphorus (TP)
Total phosphorus is a measure of all forms of phosphorus in the water, including dissolved and particulate, organic and inorganic. High levels of total phosphorus in water can come from either wastewater or run-off from agricultural land. Too much phosphorus can encourage the growth of nuisance plants such as algal blooms. 
In the worst 25% of all sites
Trend: Very Likely Improving

I am also ordering a water testing kit(s) so I can test water closer to my childhood 'play' area on the Piako River, by Pipiroa. I'll add the results here.