ACROSS THE REGION

December 2019, summer edition

Welcome to the summer edition of Across the Region. The time for barbeques, swimming, warm evenings, bush walks and festive celebrations has arrived and our region provides a great location for all of these.

With the holiday season coming up I encourage you to get out and enjoy what our region has to offer, especially when it comes to swimming. Our region has some fantastic lakes, rivers and beaches for you to explore and inside you will find a map with all the swim spots Horizons monitors for your district. Our website also shows all monitored swim spots in the region if you’d like to wander further afield, as well as the most up-to-date results for each site.

In this edition you will find information about our monitoring programme, what determines swimmability, an acknowledgement of the need to continue work to improve water quality, the widespread efforts going into this and how we align with national policy – plus that this may change due to central government’s Essential Freshwater Package. You’ll also find an example of work underway to improve swimmability in your district and some key statistics around the number of sites monitored for water quality.

As this is my first introduction as Chair to Across the Region I would like to take this opportunity to note that we have six new councillors this term. You will find a few words from each of your local councillors inside. Finally, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday break and I look forward to seeing you in the new decade.

Rachel Keedwell,

Chair

SWIMMABILITY IN THE HORIZONS REGION

Our region is spoilt for choice when it comes to awesome swim spots, and every year between 1 November and 30 April we monitor over 80 sites to provide our communities with information to help inform decisions on when and where to swim. All samples that are collected are tested at an independent accredited lab and results are then posted weekly to www.lawa.org.nz and our website.     

Swimmability in our region is determined by parameters such as cyanobacteria (potentially toxic algae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) for freshwater, and enterococci for coastal waters. Inside this edition you will find last summer’s results for swim spots in your district through the 6-month monitoring season. Our beaches are the most consistently best sites to swim at, with river and lake sites being susceptible to higher E.coli readings after heavy rain events or increased amounts of potentially toxic algae after long periods of hot dry weather.     

When looking at results from a year-round state and trend perspective, which were recently reported in our 2019 State of Environment report, continuing efforts to improve water quality is needed – and it requires a scale of effort and investment that many don’t realise, as well as contribution from many parties. As the regional council, in addition to monitoring swim sites, we are committed to making a difference and improving swim spots and water quality.             

Council has accelerated its programmes to complete physical works to improve swimmability of the region’s rivers over recent years through a range of partnership projects. Many of these projects have secured government funding to be used alongside local funding, including ratepayer and landowner contributions.     

The programmes include:     

- Two Fresh start for Fresh Water Clean-up projects (Manawatū Catchment and Lake Horowhenua Catchment);
- Four Te Mana o te Wai projects (Manawatū Catchment, Lake Horowhenua, Rangitīkei Catchment and Kai Iwi Catchment);
- The Sustainable Land Use Initiative (region-wide); and Four Freshwater Improvement Fund projects (Manawatū Catchment/River, Lake Horowhenua, Whangaehu Catchment/River, and Lake Waipu near Ratana).                                                          

A WIDESPREAD EFFORT TO IMPROVE SWIM SPOTS

So what is Horizons doing to help improve swimmability and water quality? In response to the additional funding from the Freshwater Improvement Fund for projects, Council has increased staffing and provided additional ratepayer funding to enable stream fencing and planting grants to be provided in catchments where there is not a Freshwater Improvement Fund project. Council has also enabled the use of reserve funding to complete additional fencing and planting grants in recent years, including in 2018-19 for both the Freshwater and Sustainable Land Use Initiative programmes.     

Actions within the Freshwater and Partnerships programme beyond fencing and planting that contribute to improved swimmability of the region’s waterways include work to improve discharges of treated wastewater to water and funding to transition these to discharges to land.         

Compliance also has a role to play, which combined with the efforts of local landowners and other agencies, contributes to improvements in swimmability in the region. When necessary we also take enforcement action, for example when a wastewater treatment plant is not performing as it should.   

An area of focus that combines a number of aspects of our business, is the work Horizons has been prioritising in areas where E. coli levels exceed guideline values for swimmability due to faecal bacteria. This work includes intensive monitoring surveys and faecal source tracking to determine the source of the bacteria (generally cows, sheep, birds or human) and guide interventions. These include working with landowners in identified catchments to exclude stock from waterways and plant riparian margins and working with district councils to install UV treatment on wastewater discharges and/or seek funding for land application of wastewater.           

Finally, we note that while all this work is a good step in the right direction, we know that there is always more that needs to be done and we are looking to work further with partner organisations, territorial authorities and community groups to do this. If you’d like to learn more about what you can do to contribute to improving water quality, check out the ‘Help protect our waterways’ page on our website.

DISTRICT CASE STUDIES

Improving swimmability and water quality requires a widespread effort from many parties. One of the key ways to make a difference is reducing E. coli levels, so read on to learn more about how this is being actioned in your district.

RANGITĪKEI AND MANAWATŪ 

RANGITĪKEI AND MANAWATŪ - TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADES IMPROVING E. COLI LEVELS

The Feilding wastewater treatment plant is the largest in the Manawatū district, serving industry and a growing population of more than 16,850 every day. The treated discharge from this plant originally all went into the Ōroua River, however Horizons’ monitoring highlighted the impact this was having on the waterway, including increased algal growth downstream of the discharge.       

As a result, in 2011 an upgraded programme was initiated to reduce the levels of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), suspended sediment and bacteria (E. coli) being discharged from the plant and improve the overall health of the Ōroua River. As part of this programme new consents were granted to enable Manawatū District Council to dispose of a significant proportion of treated effluent from the plant onto land instead of the river.                     

Two additional storage ponds were also installed with a total capacity of 25,000 m3, allowing the remaining portion of treated discharge to be stored until the river is in high flow. Discharging at this time provides increased dilution, reducing the impact on in-stream water quality. This discharge also undergoes additional treatment thanks to a treatment facility upgrade that was assisted by the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord.                   

Recent analysis of ten-year trends downstream of the discharge shows a high probability of improving trends for the majority of water quality indicators including turbidity, nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, E. coli, and periphyton due to these upgrades.       

There are also further works planned including increasing the plant capacity and further upgrades to the treatment system. This will include a receiving facility to separate industrial streams from the main treatment processes, sludge dewatering equipment, irrigation system, composting or improved clarification, phosphorus removal and ensuring nitrogen limits are met.

HOROWHENUA 

HOROWHENUA - TRACKING E. COLI SOURCES IN THE WAIKAWA CATCHMENT

Water quality monitoring undertaken during the bathing season of 2013-14
showed that the Waikawa Estuary regularly had high levels of E. coli that were
unable to be accounted for with our current knowledge of land use activities in this catchment. To investigate the source of this contamination, a detailed water quality sampling programme was conducted throughout the Waikawa Catchment during December 2014 to April 2015.

At sites where high levels of E. coli were detected, faecal source tracking was used to identify the source of this contamination. This tracking looks specifically at humans, sheep, cows, and birds as potential sources and is able to distinguish between these groups and show the major contributor. The key findings from the programme found there were no human markers detected at any of the sites and the faecal contamination at the upstream sites is sourced from ruminants, specifically beef cattle.   

In 2018 Landcare Trust, with support from a number of partners in the Waikawa Catchment, including Horizons, as a major funding partner, applied to the Community Environment Fund administered through the Ministry of the Environment. The application was announced as successful early in 2019 and will fund a project that will aim to create three demonstration sites along the stream by 2021 to highlight good management practices for stock exclusion, erosion control and riparian planting. At the same time the project will work with several educational organisations to conduct stream monitoring and with iwi and hapū to develop a strategy and action plan. The wider community is also feeding into these, with the main objectives being to promote practical solutions, improve water quality, strength stakeholder relationships by working together and gain access to further funding.                                               

Horizons is coordinating stream fencing and planting as part of the project and has funding available for landowners in the Waikawa Catchment this financial year. If you are interested, please get in touch with Lucy Ferguson in the freshwater team on 0508 800 800.

WHANGANUI 

WHANGANUI - TRACKING E. COLI LEVELS IN THE OTOTOKA CATCHMENT

The Ototoka Catchment has been monitored for recreational water quality by Horizons since the 2016-17 bathing season. Water quality results have shown E. coli nearly consistently exceeding amber and red alert levels for swimming and in the 2017-18 season, Whanganui District Health Board issued a permanent warning to not use the stream for recreational activities.           

To investigate potential sources of faecal contamination in the Ototoka Catchment, faecal source tracking was undertaken. This tracking looks specifically at humans, sheep, cows, and birds as potential sources and is able to distinguish between these groups and show the major contributor.           

Key findings from the programme show a consistent picture where direct stock access to the stream was identified as a major source of faecal contamination in the catchment. Results also identified ruminant (cattle) faecal material as source of contamination at all sites, mixed in with some avian (bird) faecal contamination.         

This has resulted in a targeted campaign to work with landowners within the Ototoka Catchment to fence and plant the stream. Through doing this work it is hoped that the permanent warning at the stream can be lifted. To date, a number of landowners have taken up the funding that Horizons has on offer to complete these works, however we are seeking more to come on board. If you are interested, please get in touch with Scotty Moore in the freshwater team on 0508 800 800.

RUAPEHU 

RUAPEHU - TRACKING E. COLI LEVELS IN THE WHANGAEHU CATCHMENT

In 2016, the contact recreation programme was upgraded to monitor more of the popular swimming spots in the Ruapehu District. Monitoring during the first year in the Makotuku and Mangawhero found at times E. coli concentrations that exceeded the thresholds for the river being considered swimmable. Given the closeness of these sites to the Tongariro National Park, and the pristine water that leaves there, further work was undertaken to confirm what the source of this contamination was.                                                                         

To investigate potential sources of faecal contamination in the Makotuku and Mangawhero Rivers, faecal source tracking was undertaken. This tracking looks specifically at humans, sheep, cows, and birds as potential sources and is able to distinguish between these groups and show the major contributor. Key findings from this programme found the E. coli was derived from ruminants (cattle).     

In April 2017, Horizons in conjunction with iwi, partners and a number of stakeholders, made an application to the central government Freshwater Improvement Fund administered by the Ministry for the Environment. The project called Ngā Wai Ora o te Whangaehu was partially funded with a focus on stream fencing for stock exclusion and riparian planting for improving aquatic habitat within the Whangaehu Catchment.         

This programme seeks to focus on the Makotuku and Mangawhero headwaters around the central plateau and improve the swimmability of these rivers.     

The programme goes until 30 June 2021 and Horizons is still actively seeking landowners to complete stream fencing on their properties to prevent stock access to streams. The project looks to complete at least 60kms of stream  fencing and plant 14,000 riparian plants over three years. If you’re interested or want to learn more about what grants and help is available, please contact
Ben Fraser in the freshwater team on 0508 800 800.

TARARUA 

TARARUA - IMPROVING SWIMMABILITY BY REDUCING EROSION

A significant challenge for improving swimmability in the Horizons Region is the volume of sediment entering our waterways from hill country erosion. When sediment gets into water it has an obvious impact on water clarity which affects our native fish. It also carries nutrients such as phosphorus which contribute to algal growth, and bacteria that can make us sick. Sediment can also build up on
the banks and in the bed, decreasing the flood carrying capacity of the river.

Through our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) Horizons works with land owners and stakeholders to implement onfarm initiatives such as fencing, planting, land retirement and afforestation to reduce the loss of sediment from farmland and improve water quality. Over the last decade or so, SLUI has completed over 240km of fencing and planted over 5.4 million trees in the Tararua alone.                   

To help identify cost-effective ways of targeting erosion control and improving water quality, Horizons has partnered with Manaaki Whenua who are leading the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour fund programme, ‘Smarter targeting of erosion control’, along with iwi, research agencies and other councils. This collaborative programme addresses the need for regional councils and land managers to have higher-resolution data on catchment erosion and sediment making its way into streams, and aims to provide new models and tools essential for efficient and cost-effective erosion and sediment mitigation. Both the Manawatū and Whanganui catchments are part of the programme, and there is a Tiraumea sub-catchment study underway as well.             

“This research will improve our understanding of where erosion occurs, sediment volume, what type of sediment is produced, and by which processes,” says Manaaki Whenua geomorphologist Dr Hugh Smith, who co-leads the project.                   

Horizons’ group manager natural resources and partnerships, Jon Roygard, says the programme provides a significant opportunity to improve the design and implementation of cost effective, targeted, erosion control measures. 

“Ensuring Horizons can achieve its national water quality targets is a key focus for the organisation and this programme will be key for contributing to improvements. With the study underway, we’re aiming to increase our ability to predict where soil erosion will occur and what impact it will have in freshwater and coastal environments. This will help us target interventions to achieve the best outcome.”

PALMERSTON NORTH 

PALMERSTON NORTH - IMPROVING SWIMMABILITY BY REDUCING EROSION

A significant challenge for improving swimmability in the Horizons Region is the
volume of sediment entering our waterways from hill country erosion. When sediment gets into water it has an obvious impact on water clarity which affects our native fish. It also carries nutrients such as phosphorus which contribute to algal growth, and bacteria that can make us sick. Sediment can also build up on the banks and in the bed, decreasing the flood carrying capacity of the river. 

Sediment can enter waterways at any point along a river or stream’s length, however it impacts water quality from that point down. For this reason downstream communities such as Palmerston North contribute to the cost of works upstream as they get the benefit of them. One of these programmes is our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) where Horizons works with land owners and stakeholders to implement on-farm initiatives such as fencing, planting, land retirement and afforestation to reduce the loss of sediment from farmland and improve water quality. Over the last decade or so, SLUI has completed over 240km of fencing and planted over 16 million trees across the region.       

To help identify cost-effective ways of targeting erosion control and improving water quality, Horizons has partnered with Manaaki Whenua who are leading the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour fund programme, ‘Smarter targeting of erosion control’, along with iwi, research agencies and other councils. This collaborative programme addresses the need for regional councils and land managers to have higher-resolution data on catchment erosion and sediment making its way into streams, and aims to provide new models and tools essential for efficient and cost-effective erosion and sediment mitigation. Both the Manawatū and Whanganui catchments are part of the programme, and there is a Tiraumea sub-catchment study underway as well.         

“This research will improve our understanding of where erosion occurs, sediment volume, what type of sediment is produced, and by which processes,” says Manaaki Whenua geomorphologist Dr Hugh Smith, who co-leads the project.         

Horizons’ group manager natural resources and partnerships, Jon Roygard, says the programme provides a significant opportunity to improve the design and implementation of cost effective, targeted, erosion control measures. 

“Ensuring Horizons can achieve its national water quality targets is a key focus for the organisation and this programme will be key for contributing to improvements. With the study underway, we’re aiming to increase our ability to predict where soil erosion will occur and what impact it will have in freshwater and coastal environments. This will help us target interventions to achieve the best outcome.”

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE DIVING IN 

Water quality is one of a number of considerations to consider before heading off to your favourite swim spot.

It is also important to remember:

- To look for potential hazards such as unstable cliffs and banks, sunken rocks and logs, and rips at beaches.

- If you see musty-smelling, black mat like growth during low flows, avoid swimming.

- If its three days after rain and the water is not dirty or flowing fast, it should be safe to swim.

When checking the water quality status on LAWA or our website, you’ll see a grading for each site according to a handy traffic light system that is part of the Ministry of Health and Ministry for the Environment guidelines. The system provides guidance to Councils and District Health Boards on how they should act when certain levels of indicator bacteria or algae are detected.

For our lakes and rivers:              

If a site falls into the red category we contact the Public Health, who advise when warning signs need to be erected and that information is provided to the
public that the site is considered unsuitable for recreational use.

ALIGNING WITH NATIONAL POLICY

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (as amended in August 2017) directs all regional councils and unitary authorities to set regional targets to improve the quality of fresh water so they are suitable for swimming more often. Council has resolved to set a target of 70 per cent for swimmable rivers and lakes in the Horizons Region, to be achieved by 2030.     

A regional assessment for Horizons and the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) completed by an independent consultant shows that swimmability in the region has improved in the past ten years. Between 2006 and 2016, the length of all of the region’s rivers in the swimmable category (grades ‘fair’ to ‘excellent’) increased from 35 per cent to 40 per cent, while large rivers (order 4 and above) increased from 34 per cent to 42 per cent. This broadly aligns with regional and national modelling that suggests the length of the region’s large rivers are presently around 38-45 per cent swimmable.                                                 

While modelling is associated with a degree of uncertainty, MfE’s analysis suggests that we will see further improvement in swimmability of up to 60 per cent (over the 12 years to 2030) as a result of work already underway. It is important to note that this modelling does not account for other factors that may influence swimmability, such as climate change, economic or social drivers, or future changes in policy.                                                 

While Horizons’ existing rate of investment in better water quality is high, swimmability remains below the national average and further investment in water quality improvement will be necessary if we are to meet our year-round regional target of 70 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2040. An additional goal of 90 per cent of large rivers and lakes being suitable for swimming by 2040 has been set for the swimming season. To learn a bit more about these targets, check out the video on the Freshwater page on our website.         

Finally, it is worth noting while this is the current policy and targets set by Council, they may change with central government’s Essential Freshwater Package. When national feedback on the proposed package was sought in October this year, Horizons made a submission, in addition to supporting the wider regional sector submission. While Council supports the outcomes government is looking to achieve, we do not believe a one-size-fits all regulatory approach is the answer. To read our submission, please again see the Freshwater page on our website.

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

• Strategy and Policy Committee, 11 February, 10am
• Environment Committee, 12 February, 9.30am  
• Passenger Transport Committee, 18 February, 10am
• Regional Council, 25 February, 10am 

Unless otherwise stated meetings are open to the public and will be held at Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North. Please note all details were correct at time of sending. However, for the most up-to-date dates and times for council meetings please check www.horizons.govt.nz.