ACROSS THE REGION

December 2020, Freshwater edition

Tēnā tātou i ngā rā o te matiti, me ōna pua, ōna hua. E kainamu mai nei a Kohitātea me te manako nui ia, ka mahue ki muri nei ko ngā toimahatanga o tēnei tau, ā, kia whai hua pai ai te katoa a te tau e tū nei.

It feels like summer is getting closer with the light balmy evenings and more time for outdoor activities. A new year is just around the corner and we are all hoping it will not include the health and economic challenges of 2020.

This issue of Across the Region focuses on freshwater, including for drinking, recreation and the ways we can future proof this valuable natural resource for generations to come.

In July, Council received $18.4 million from central government’s Jobs for Nature funding towards three projects aimed at creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and protecting and enhancing water quality, as well as fish passage remediation to enhance native fish populations. In addition to financial contributions from landowners, fish barrier owners and other project partners, Council has agreed to help fund these projects to a value of $4.3 million over the next four years.

In September this year central government introduced their Essential Freshwater package - new regulations aimed at halting the degradation of New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and streams. Horizons’ One Plan already includes much of what is required, however further changes will need to be made to comply.

Council has also spent the last six months workshopping their 2021-31 Long-term Plan (LTP). This has included conversations about how Council is going to give effect to implementing central government’s Essential Freshwater package while ensuring community affordability. The LTP will be out for public consultation in March next year.

Meanwhile, our catchment reports are due out shortly. This includes our annual swim spot monitoring information which is detailed inside.

I do hope everyone has a breather over the holiday break and gets a chance to enjoy our beautiful region and all it has to offer.

Noho ora mai rā.

Rachel Keedwell, Chair.

OUR DRINKING WATER

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human need.

In 2016, residents and business owners in Havelock North experienced the effects of drinking water contamination. Thousands became ill and businesses had to close while the source of the campylobacter was identified.

This crisis highlighted a number of areas for improvement in public water supply throughout New Zealand. Horizons Regional Council responded by establishing a drinking water programme to ensure safe drinking water supplies throughout the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. This was done in partnership with MidCentral District Public Health and the region’s seven city and district councils.

Initial work has produced source protection zones for all council-operated drinking supplies across the region (and some large private supplies). These zones show the risk of contamination from any activities which might cause pollution in the area, including both surface and groundwater supplies.

Considerations for source protection management is based on consented activities that could cause contamination in each zone.

Through the work to date, more than 50 priority sites, each supplying more than 500 people, have been identified and recommendations have been produced. Future work will focus on investigating bores in source protection zones and implementing recommendations across the region.

On 6 August 2020, central government passed an act to establish Taumata Arowai - the Water Services Regulator. Its objectives include protecting and promoting drinking water safety and we expect to work closely with them in the future.

Bore and tank water

Groundwater is accessed by thousands of bores throughout the region and provides an important source of drinking water. Horizons currently monitors more than 150 bores regularly (either monthly or quarterly) for both water quantity and water quality.

Like tank water, bore water used for human consumption requires appropriate treatment (e.g. UV and/or filtration) to help prevent contamination. Signs of contaminated water can be observed in its colour, odour, taste or cloudy appearance, however there are other contaminants such as bacteria that cannot be seen. Visit our website for advice on keeping your drinking water clean.

In rural areas water tanks are the most common supply of drinking water. It is important to do an annual check on your tank and to clean any debris from the bottom as well as keeping your roof, drain pipes and gutters clean, and the manhole secure.

CAN I SWIM HERE?

Horizons’ summer swim spot monitoring programme is underway to help keep you informed about potential health risks at over 80 recreational sites throughout the region. The annual monitoring programme runs from 1 November to the end of April, and tests bacteria levels for rivers, lakes and
coastal beaches. Weekly water samples collected from each site are sent to an independent, accredited lab for testing. Results are received within 48 hours and are updated on the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, alongside results from the other 15 regional and unitary councils across New Zealand. Results are also available on Horizons’ website, where an interactive map shows each of the swim spots marked by a red, amber or green location maker to indicate that week’s bacteria results.

Please remember that water quality is just one factor in a number of potential health risks. We ask the public to be aware of hazards such as unstable banks and cliffs, submerged logs, tsunami warnings and rips at beaches. Another thing to remember is that as sampling is weekly, the results may not always reflect the current water quality, especially if it has rained. A general rule is if the water looks clear or it’s three days after rainfall, you should be good to go.

If a site falls into the red category we contact Public Health, who advise when warning signs need to be erected and inform the public that the site is considered unsuitable for recreational use. For more information about swim
spots, refer to the LAWA website.

Swim spot catchment summaries

Every year we produce catchment summaries based on our science monitoring, including swim spot information. Please find below the 2019/20 swim spot data for your catchment. Visit our website if you would like to find out more about your catchment’s water quality and quantity.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S ESSENTIAL FRESHWATER PACKAGE

Ko Wai a Runga

Water comes first

On 3 September, central government’s Essential Freshwater package was announced.This detailed the national direction for halting the degradation of our rivers, lakes and streams, and includes:

Te Mana o te Wai and the NPS-FM

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 requires that we manage freshwater in a way that gives effect to Te Mana o te Wai. This specifically means that we seek an understanding of what our communities’ value in relation to freshwater and use this to guide our regional policies. For the Horizons Region, this engagement will begin in early 2021.

Te Mana o te Wai refers to the vital importance of water. It expresses the special connection all New Zealanders have with freshwater.

When managing freshwater, it ensures the health and well being of the water is
protected first and foremost, and human health needs are provided for before
enabling other uses of water. By protecting the health and well being of our
freshwater we protect the health and well being of our people and environments.

Through engagement and discussion, regional councils, communities and
tangata whenua will determine how Te Mana o te Wai is applied locally in
freshwater management.

If you are interested in reading these documents in more detail you can find them on the Ministry for the Environment website.

Implementing the NPS-FM

Along with New Zealand’s other 15 regional and unitary councils, Horizons is responsible for implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM). The NPS-FM directs regional councils, in consultation with their communities, to set objectives for the state of freshwater bodies in their regions, and to set limits on resource use to meet these objectives. This applies to all freshwater, including groundwater, and to any receiving environments affected by freshwater such as estuaries and the wider coastal marine area.

Additional Funding

At the Strategy and Policy committee meeting on 8 September, additional expenditure of up to $200,000 from Council’s 2020-21 general rates reserves was approved to support the first year of an implementation programme.

Further implementation costs will be considered through our 2021-31 Long-term Plan process, however early indications suggest the estimated cost will be up to $15 million over the first three to four years. This includes resourcing for science, policy and community engagement.

National Environmental Standards – Freshwater

We have already begun to engage with iwi, primary sector representatives, and other stakeholders who have a direct interest in these freshwater reforms, including the National Environmental Standards – Freshwater (NES-FW).

We appreciate landowners, in particular, want direction as soon as possible on what is required and when. The issues of immediate concern for our region are intensive winter grazing, stock holding areas, stock exclusion, and feedlots. As we work through an implementation process, we will continuously update our website with guidance as it comes to hand. However, we encourage landowners to be proactive in understanding the new rules and regulations and their obligations.

Council has a strong understanding of the region’s freshwater resources. This is due, in part, to Horizons’ comprehensive monitoring, research and science programmes. We also have well established non-regulatory programmes and will continue to work with landowners, iwi, and community groups on fencing, riparian planting, effluent management, and biodiversity initiatives to help give effect to the new legalisation.

Jobs for Nature

This year, central government’s budget resulted in a $1.3 billion investment towards the creation of 11,000 nature-based jobs across New Zealand over a four year period. This nature-based economic recovery package is known as Jobs for Nature, with funding spread across multiple government agencies.

In July, Horizons received over $18 million from the Ministry for the Environment towards accelerating fencing and planting, fish passage remediation programmes, and the construction of a wetland and other water quality interventions for Lake Horowhenua.

These non-regulatory projects are included in Council’s overall programme to improve water quality throughout the region. They are part of work essential to restoring freshwater, including changes to land practices and the requirements needed to implement the Essential Freshwater package.

In summary

Central government’s freshwater reforms set a clear direction – stop the degradation of our waterways. We all want the same thing, to improve the quality of New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, streams, estuaries, and wetlands. Horizons, and our regional council counterparts across the country, are a key part of the solution.

The NPS-FM process, in particular, provides an opportunity to revisit our collective vision for freshwater in our region. Horizons staff are looking forward to engaging with our community and hearing their views on how we will give effect to the new policies over the next few years.

If you would like to receive our e-newsletter Our Freshwater Future please visit our website.

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

FEBRUARY 2021

Strategy and Policy Committee, 10 February, 10am
Passenger Transport Committee, 16 February, 10am
Strategy and Policy Committee, 17 February, 9.30am
Regional Council, 17 February, 10am

Unless otherwise stated meetings are open to the public and will be held at Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North. Strategy and Policy and Regional Council meetings are also live-streamed on our Facebook page. 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 our website.