Water testing at popular swimming and boating areas at the Waitaki lakes has started again this year, and holidaymakers can check the ratings of their favourite spots.
The weekly testing, which started last month, is carried out throughout Canterbury, including in the Waitaki catchment. Results are posted on the regional council's website and also a Facebook site and can be checked before people leave home.
Results include 15 sites in the Waitaki catchment, from Lakes Tekapo and Ohau to Lake Waitaki.
At the start of summer each swimming spot is given a swimming grade and during summer most spots are monitored weekly, for indicators of faecal contamination (E. coli).
Freshwater sites are also monitored for potentially toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
The best places for water quality in the Waitaki catchment are the Lake Ruataniwha camping ground and Lake Benmore at Ohau C.
Ranked poor is a site at the top of the Ahuriri Arm on Lake Benmore and Loch Laird, below the Benmore dam.
However, readings can vary weekly depending on rainfall, run-off and nearby toilets.
Many other sites are graded as good for swimming and are indicated with a green spot on the map.
