Health authorities in Christchurch are warning people to avoid the Avon River because of a potential sewer leak.
Canterbury District Health Board has issued the warning because of ongoing sewerage and waste water issues caused by earthquakes in the region.
A Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Alistair Humphrey, said there is an issue with a sewer main in a suburb north-east of the city resulting in a discharge of untreated wastewater near the Swanns Road bridge.
He said a dip in the road near the bridge suggests a sewer main has been dragged down and broken and the untreated wastewater is entering the river at that point.
Dr Humphrey said water quality in the Avon and Heathcote rivers rarely meets recreational water standards.
