Website shows real-time water data

CLEAN: The Waiohine River is listed as a fair to excellent quality water source. PHOTO /ANDREW BONALLACK

Transparency is key when it comes to water - and data - according to environmental watchdog Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA).

The website now shows real-time data about New Zealand's most valuable natural resource, and also provides annual data on the best and worst quality water sites in the Ruamahanga catchment.

After analysis by Greater Wellington Regional Council of water quality factors including clarity, e.coli count, and oxygen levels, sites along the catchment are ranked from 1 to 54 with Waiorongomai River at Forest Park taking out the number one position, having the best quality of all monitored sites.

Other sites with excellent water quality include Waitohu Stream at Forest Park and Tauanui River at Whakatomotomo Rd.

According to the data, the worst water quality is found at Mangapouri Stream at Bennetts Rd and Mangaone Stream at Sims Rd Bridge.

Regional Councillor Fran Wilde said LAWA is one of the first of its kind to bring together a whole country's water quality and quantity data into one place.

"Building on the beach and river quality information already available on LAWA, the real-time flow and water level data will allow those who rely on water for business or recreational activities to see the current state of the river or aquifer," she said.

This real-time data, which was made available on Monday, includes information on water flow, groundwater and rainfall levels, providing the public with a way to see the current state of water within catchment areas.

There are three categories within the water data including annual, weekly, and live updates.

LAWA project manager Caroline Rowe said the addition of real time data to the LAWA website shows how important it is to have publicly available data.

"Water is such a vital resource and one we all share, that's why it's so important that we understand how it's being used and what demands and pressures it might face.

"LAWA allows the public to see for themselves what the quality or availability of the local waterways are."

More data will be added to the LAWA website regarding the quality of New Zealand's lakes in the next few months.