Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Check
Check boats, trailers and anything else that was in the water, including your dog’s fur and paws if your dog is in the water with you, for any plant material and remove it.
Even if the plant appears dry and dead, it may still survive and start a new infestation. Leave debris at the site or, if you find any later, treat and dispose of it in the rubbish. Do not wash it down drains.
Clean
Wash all equipment such as nets, machinery, footwear and clothing thoroughly with an appropriate decontamination solution (10% detergent for 10 minutes or 2% bleach for at least one minute in water) before putting it in any new waterway.
Prevent freshwater weed invasions
Dry
If you can’t clean your gear or animals, restrict your use to a single waterway OR dry completely to the touch inside and out, and leave to dry for at least another 48 hours.
Keep an eye out for our Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors this summer
Our Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors will be out and about this summer at a number of recreational hotspots across the region to help keep freshwater pests front of mind for water users and to chat all things Check, Clean, Dry.
They will also be providing free, portable cleaning equipment and collateral if you are working and playing in and around popular freshwater sites.
“We are looking forward to getting out and visiting freshwater hotspots across Canterbury this summer, creating awareness and educating the public about how to prevent the spread of invasive freshwater pests,” says Louise McDermott, freshwater ambassador – Biosecurity.
Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors Anna and Louise
“Check, Clean, Dry, isn’t just to protect against historic freshwater pests like didymo, there are other harmful aquatic pests which you may not be able to see. We all have a responsibility to protect our freshwater. Remember, even if you can’t see it, if it’s wet, it’s a threat,” says Anna Meikle, freshwater ambassador – Biosecurity.
Find out more
Environment Canterbury © 2025
Retrieved: 11:50am, Wed 08 Jan 2025
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/help-stop-the-spread-of-freshwater-pests/