Water quality and quantity has become an issue throughout New Zealand and features regularly in our press.
The rush to acquire more water for generation, irrigation and intensification of agriculture has had dire consequences for water quality that has deteriorated noticeably during the last 10-15 years. There is contention between those whose primary imperative is to make money for themselves and the country, and those that are concerned with deterioration of water quality. The central issue for both sides of this argument and the country is to find a workable way forward.
The first thing to acknowledge is the failure of current mechanisms to protect water quality. The preventive approach of the regional councils using the Resource Management Act legislation has not worked. I have been sad to see the progressive deterioration of rivers like the Waipahi, Pomahaka, Taieri and Mataura. The deterioration is also apparent to visitors. Bob Wyatt, of Australia, makes a plea to intervene on behalf of water quality in the Upper Taieri in a recent article entitled "Slip Sliding Away" in a fishing magazine.
His focus is on dairy farming. The impact of rapidly increasing dairy farming was also recently highlighted with a report showing that 89% of Southland waters were rated very poor or poor for water quality.
Another issue is the concern of Hawea Flat residents about nitrogen and other contamination of their ground water that may occur with dairy development of their area. Their concerns have not been laid to rest by assurances from ORC, a further reflection of the inability of current mechanisms to provide a level of protection acceptable to local residents.
Despite the obvious impact of dairy farming it must be recognised that this is not the only culprit. Other agricultural activity has resulted in impacts such as ongoing drainage of wetlands and removal of tussock. The ODT has carried several articles about the drainage of swamps in the upper catchment of the Waipahi.
Furthermore, the problem of decline in water quality is not only rural. I have regularly observed the Leith near the university and now see very few fish in that area. Visits to Christchurch have led me to a similar opinion concerning the Avon. Fish kills in the Kaikorai Stream have been reported in the ODT on a recurring basis.
I suggest that the time has come to take a new approach to water quality.
We need to change our plan from one of prevention, which has failed, to active remediation.
There are some encouraging signs that the need for remedial action is being recognised. Plans are in place to take action on water quality in Lakes Rotorua and Taupo and to address the nutrient loads affecting those lakes. A collaborative plan to clean up Lake Ellesmere, near Christchurch, was recently announced. Locally, there is an initiative to improve Waihola and Waipori. The remedial approach could be broadened. In Otago we could start with valued rivers like the Waipahi, Upper Taieri and Pomahaka.
We know what needs to be done as there are those like the Waiau Trust in Southland that is showing the way (www.waiautrust.org.nz). The trust has been working on restoration of vegetation and wetlands, and riparian fencing of the upper reaches of rivers.
This provides a supply of clean water to maintain steady flows to dilute pollutants that run in further down the river system. Wider application of this simple approach together with careful attention to fertiliser use would have immediate benefits to water quality.
The requirements for effective remedial action are funding for staff and interventions. The Waiau Trust has been successful because of its experienced and professional staff who can develop plans, gain consents, negotiate with landowners and then have the funds to execute plans.
Funding should also support research on the best strategies to limit nutrient loading of water. In critical cases some funding might be needed for intervention through strategic purchases of land and change in its use.
We badly need some effective leadership on water issues, together with funding. Since water quality has become an issue of national importance the main requirement is some firm leadership from Government. The Green Party has recently suggested that funds for remedial action on water quality could come from a small levy on water for irrigation. This would provide recognition of the transfer from the public of a substantial part of our collective water resources at no cost. It would benefit all with better water quality. It would demonstrate commitment to an environmentally sustainable approach that would underpin our marketing. I believe it is incumbent upon other political parties to contribute positive ideas. Those who have already decried the positive suggestion made by the Green Party should come up with a workable alternative as continuing down the present path is no longer a viable option for the country.
