Otago communities have been urged to get involved in proposed changes by the Otago Regional Council to the way it manages water quality.
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead also encouraged about 70 people at an Oamaru forum on Monday to look at the bigger picture, rather than just individual effects, in the bid to protect water quality for their children and grandchildren.
The call for community support is to ensure the council's approach in its new rural water quality strategy, which puts the responsibility on landowners to manage water quality before it leaves their properties, does not get derailed by national initiatives.
The "Good Water, Good Farming" forum was held to outline the strategy and get feedback on how it was likely to affect water quality and farming practice. In contrast to a similar forum in Cromwell last week, which tackled the issue of introducing dairying on Hawea Flat, the issues raised in Oamaru had mainly to do with the mechanics of the strategy.
The quality of the Kakanui River, which has been debated in North Otago for years, was brought up by resident Peter Jenkins, who wanted to know who was responsible for notifying people when it fell below safe swimming levels.
Council chief executive Graeme Martin said, when bacteria levels failed to meet safe swimming standards, the medical officer of health and Waitaki District Council was notified.
Grant Ludemann asked how farmers would be able to measure the quality of discharges. Would a tool-kit be available for them to do their own tests, or would it involve costly laboratory tests?
ORC environmental information and science director John Threlfall said the council was trying to find a quick and easy way to do that, but without success so far. However, farmers could group together to obtain bulk laboratory tests.
Cr David Shepherd said the strategy would require some changes in attitude, but he was confident farmers would adapt.
There would be a transition period for farmers to reach compliance levels.
The council set out how it proposed to address farm discharges from run-off, leaching and drains. The approach was to address water quality issues in a way that worked for local people and the environment by encouraging farmers to manage their own farm discharges.
Mr Woodhead said good water quality was absolutely essential to Otago's prosperity and the forum was to get feedback as part of early consultation.
