Targets for rivers and lakes released

Environment Canterbury's draft targets for swimmable lakes and rivers are for 92% of rivers and 81% of lakes being swimmable by 2030.

The council says 86% of Canterbury rivers are swimmable now.

Environment Canterbury councillor Claire McKay said the draft targets - required under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management as a means to achieve the national target for 90% swimmable lakes and rivers by 2040 - were "a starting point for discussion with communities".

She said stock exclusion rules "are key" in the expected improvements, as well as ongoing ecological restoration, improvements in nutrient management, and the council's Farm Environment Plans.

The Otago Regional Council decided to make 95% of specified rivers and 100% of specified lakes swimmable by 2030, and 100% of both swimmable by 2040.