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Water |
WaterWater is a key resource for agriculture and horticulture systems. Issues surrounding both water availability and water quality are matters of significance to the industry. These issues are managed under the Resource Management Act 1991 by Regional Councils, who generally have Water Plans that establish a framework for managing water issues in the region.Risk Areas/IssuesWater - General
Water Quality - IssuesWater quality was identified as key programme for action in the Sustainable Development Programme for Action (DPMC 2003). The implementation of the Clean Streams Accord between Fonterra and a number of other stakeholders indicates the increasing awareness of this issue.Farms have the potential to discharge substances to water, especially non point source discharges such as effluent run off, silage pit leachate, fertiliser and agrichemical run off, and excess sediment from earthworks. If such substances reach water courses they can degrade the water supply and affect other uses and ecological systems in the waterbody. A range of tools and mechanisms have been developed to assist land owners to reduce water contamination. Groundwater quality can be affected by substances leaching. This is particularly relevant over unconfined aquifers where the potential for leaching is greater.
Water Quantity - IssuesWater quantity and allocation issues focus on the allocation of resources. Irrigation is a major user of water so there is a need to ensure that the water resource is used efficiently and effectively. In some areas of New Zealand water resources are over or fully allocated placing the water systems under considerable stress and often resulting in restricted takes during dry spells. Many Regional Councils are implementing low flow mechanisms as a means to restrict takes when water levels reach trigger thresholds.
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