Kia ora

There's still plenty of time for you to have your say on Water Quality Targets, which is open for submissions until 5pm, December 13. 

For this engagement, we're seeking feedback on the provisional targets that will not only halt the decline of the region’s water quality but will also help make our communities' visions for freshwater a reality.

We would like to hear your thoughts on the following topics:

• Our approach to setting water quality targets across the region
• If the environmental outcomes for your freshwater management unit (FMU) are ambitious and reasonable
• What timeframes are appropriate to achieve the water quality targets in your FMU
• Your level of support for the proposed actions to improve water quality
• Any other related concerns (e.g. around the possible social or economic impacts on the region's communities) or feedback you want to share with us.

In this email, we're continuing to share more examples of actions that Horizons has modelled known to reduce the amount of contaminants entering waterways across different environments.

Taking action with stock exclusion

One of our modelled actions is to fence at least three metres from the edge of rivers and streams to keep stock out of the water on pastoral farms.

Fencing off waterways prevents stock from walking on the banks of water bodies, as this can increase streambank erosion and sediment runoff, adversely affecting habitats like those used for fish spawning.

Fencing can also reduce stock's ability to contaminate water with disease-causing organisms from dung and urine, which can make people sick.

This dung and urine also contain nutrients which promote weed growth and reduce the water body's ability to support a healthy ecosystem.

Taking action with edge-of-field mitigations

Another action is to construct wetlands on pastoral farms. Constructed wetlands can store and filter contaminants from subsurface tile drains, shallow groundwater outflows from seeps and springs, and surface drains and small streams in pastoral farming landscapes.

These wetlands can also provide a wide range of other benefits, including flood management, and habitat for birds, fish, invertebrates and plants. They can also enhance the natural beauty of farm landscapes and support recreational activities such as bird watching and hunting.

What do you think about these actions being part of the suite to get us to our provisional freshwater targets? 

Share your thoughts with us by 5 pm, 13 December.