Visitors and residents in the Waitaki catchment and Mackenzie Basin are being surveyed as part of research by two community committees into setting water-quality standards for the two regions.
The survey, through Environment Canterbury (ECan), is being distributed electronically as widely as possible to gain as much information as it can.
The results will be used, alongside other research into environmental, economic, social and cultural values, to help both the Upper and Lower Waitaki Zone Committees with community discussions about water quality in the catchment.
The two committees, made up of community representatives, have been established under Ecan and the Waitaki, Waimate and Mackenzie District Councils to oversee water management in the Waitaki catchment.
Both committees are developing a water-quality limit-setting plan for the Waitaki with the assistance of ECan planner Devon Christensen, who formerly worked for the central South Island Fish and Game Council and is very familiar with the region.
She said an economic analysis of non-market values in the Waitaki was part of the water-quality process, including circulating the survey. That had been done through a range of organisations, including the fish and game council, Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society, Forest and Bird and tramping clubs.
Quality results from the survey would inform a non-market economic valuation of recreation and social values in the Waitaki, used to manage freshwater quality in the catchment.
As many people as possible needed to take part in the survey.
''It is difficult to assess the economic benefits of social and recreational activities. Therefore, the amount of people we can get to do the survey will strongly influence our end results,'' she said.
