South and West Otago farmers are being invited to take part in a workshop designed to address what officials call "the waterway health challenge" facing the district.
The Otago Regional Council is hosting a water quality workshop in the Clutha Valley next week, calling it a gathering which will be of interest to all farmers in South and West Otago.
Regional council deputy chairman Stephen Woodhead, who farms in South Otago, said the health of many waterways in the area was continuing to deteriorate.
"Overall, many farmers have made significant changes to their farming practices. However, nitrogen, phosphorus and E.coli continue to reach the streams via leaching, runoff and direct input," Mr Woodhead said.
The current intensification of land use was placing further pressure on the water quality of local streams and rivers.
"It isn't acceptable to the community, including farmers and the regional council, for the water quality of the streams and rivers of South and West Otago to continue to deteriorate.
"It is time we reviewed the state of the waterways, the practices available on farms to reduce contaminants reaching the streams and the policy options available, which could include new rules, to halt the declining waterway health," Mr Woodhead said.
The workshop will give farmers the chance to be informed and engage in the challenge facing the district.
An important aspect would be the community's involvement, he said.
The workshop, at the Clutha Valley Community Centre on Monday, will run from 10am to 3pm.
Presentations on water quality and impacts of good practice will be given by regional council water quality scientist Rachel Ozanne and AgResearch scientist Ross Monaghan.
