Beaches in Christchurch are on target to reopen by spring, with nearly all of the 12km of wrecked sewers in the city now repaired.
Beaches such as New Brighton and Sumner have been closed since the February earthquake because raw sewage was going straight into the ocean.
Christchurch City Council says more than 9km of underground sewerage pipes made of asbestos cement and concrete have been replaced with more resilient high density polyethylene pipes.
It says final water tests will be conducted before the 'all clear' is given for use of the beaches.
Meanwhile, Canterbury District Health Board says people should not be foolish and enter the water before final water tests are completed.
It says they risk contracting gastroenteritis, hepatitis and other infections.
