30 Mar 2023

Ōpāwaho Heathcote River deemed safe after 500 fish found dead

2:36 pm on 30 March 2023
Ōpāwaho Heathcote River from Richardson Terrace.

Ōpāwaho Heathcote River from Richardson Terrace. Photo: RNZ/Niva Chittock

Testing has come back clear after more than 500 dead fish were found in a Christchurch river, Canterbury Regional Council says.

The dead fish were found in a section of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in Woolston on 2 March, with people urged to avoid all contact with the area.

Extensive water samples taken from the river two weeks ago have come back without any contaminants of concern, the council said.

The area was safe for the public and animals to return to, but they should heed sewage overflow warnings, especially after heavy rain.

An investigation into the cause of the dead fish was ongoing.