Water standards 'need tightening' after antibiotic-resistant E coli found in Christchurch's Avon River

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in Christchurch's Avon River, leading scientists to urge city authorities to tighten water quality standards.

The river has harboured E coli for years, but the bacteria's increasing resistance could mean people fight off illness more slowly when treated with common medication, or infections may be prolonged.

Pets, such as dogs, could fall ill from playing in the water and that infection could be passed to their owners.

The samples were found in a stretch of river popular for canoeing and punting in Hagley Park near Christchurch Hospital. Read more