E.coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm–blooded animals (including people). When found in freshwater, it can indicate the presence of pathogens associated with faecal contamination, from sources such as waste from humans and farmed animals such as sheep and cows. E.coli concentrations can vary due to differences in land use, climate, elevation, and geology. High E. coli concentrations may cause illness in humans and animals if ingested. This is an important consideration for human health, particularly where people use the river for swimming or boating.
This dataset relates to the ""River water quality: bacteria (Escherichia coli)"" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.
