Healthy catchments: Testing kits available to monitor streams

How healthy is that stream? We have monitoring kits available to help you find out.

Landowners, schools, iwi and community groups across Canterbury can now access testing kits to monitor the health of local streams and rivers.

Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) has nine Stream Health Monitoring Assessment Kits (SHMAK) available for community to book.

Developed by the Earth Science New Zealand (formally known as NIWA) in partnership with Federated Farmers of New Zealand, SHMAK provides a simple yet scientifically robust way to assess stream and river health.

The kits include tools to measure key water quality indicators such as nitrate, phosphate, E. coli, pH levels, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature. They also come with instructions to monitor fish, velocity and streamflow, stream habitat and streambed composition.

Observing and understanding these indicators together can help you build a tangible picture of what’s happening in your catchment

Environment Canterbury senior land management advisor, Anna Mehrtens, said healthy catchments were essential for clean water, native biodiversity and recreational spaces.

“By monitoring changes over time, communities can detect pollution early, support conservation efforts, and contribute valuable data to regional research.”

Instructions and educational resources - including downloadable guides and video tutorials - made it easy for users to collect and interpret their findings.

Results from SHMAK assessments could inform practical actions to improve stream health. For example, if water temperatures were too high, planting vegetation along stream banks could help cool the water and prevent harmful algae blooms.

While SHMAK was designed for stream and river monitoring, those interested in testing drinking water were advised to follow separate procedures. More information is available on how to keep private water supplies safe.(external link)

To book a SHMAK kit or learn more, visit Check the health of your stream | Environment Canterbury.(external link)