Across the Region

December 2017, summer edition

It’s hard to believe that summer is upon us, and so too is the swimming season. The phrase ‘swimmable rivers’ has become part of our nation’s lexicon in recent years, with much political, public and media debate about freshwater management – what does it actually mean for you, our residents?

To improve information for our communities about the suitability of our waterways for swimming and recreation, we monitor over 80 swim spots across our Region from 1 November until 30 April every year. This edition of Across the Region looks at what this monitoring programme includes, what work is underway to improve water quality and where some of the best sites are.

Like last year, Horizons will be running a summer swim spot campaign to complement our monitoring and work programmes, while helping to inform, educate and engage our communities on when and where they can safely swim. This will include a poll for listeners of Mediaworks and Ski FM radio stations to vote for their local swim spot to receive a spruce up like Mosquito Point has after winning last summer.

We will also be running our #swiminourregion competition, giving you a chance to share where you are swimming on social media and be in with a chance to win a $1,500 water related prize. Last year’s winner took her school class on a whitewater rafting adventure down the Rangitikei River!

So get out and enjoy our beautiful Region this summer, take care over the festive season and I’ll see you in 2018.

Bruce Gordon

CHAIRMAN

Swim spot monitoring

In order to provide our communities with reliable, accurate information regarding water quality, we are monitoring over 80 swim spots weekly until the end of April. We test for faecal indicator bacteria including E. coli for freshwater and Enterococci for coastal waters, as well as cyanobacteria, which is also known as toxic algae.

Last year the rainy summer was reflected in E. coli levels placing water quality at some sites in red and orange categories, however 78 per cent of river swim spots were swimmable more than 50 per cent of the time. There was also less toxic algae across all sites compared to previous summers. Our most frequently swimmable waterways were the Ohau, Pohangina and upper reaches of the Rangitikei Rivers. Our Region’s beaches are generally the most suitable sites for swimming in terms of pathogen health risk. Last summer, Herbertville and South Beach, Whanganui were swimmable on all sampling occasions.

This year we have removed some sites from the programme, such as the Manawatu River at Ashhurst which is no longer accessible, however we have added popular swimming spots like Waihi Falls in the Tararua District and Ototoka Stream at Beach Road in Whanganui.

Last summer’s monitoring results. NB: the rainy summer was reflected in E. coli levels placing water quality at some sites in red and orange categories, however 78 per cent of river swim spots were swimmable more than 50 per cent of the time.

Action from results

In order to reduce the impact of faecal bacteria on swimming suitability Horizons has been prioritising work in areas where E. coli levels exceed guideline values. This work includes intensive monitoring surveys, faecal source tracking to determine the source of the bacteria (cows, sheep, birds or human), 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.

We’re seeing encouraging signs of improvement in key water quality indicators, such as E.coli. Scientists generally report two key measures for water quality: State tells us about the current condition of a waterway and trend tells us how things are changing over time. Trends from January 2006 to December 2015 show efforts being made throughout the Region by many landowners, organisations, iwi, and councils are making a marked improvement in water quality throughout the Region.

Fast facts about our monitoring programme

We test over 80 swim spots
Samples are collected between Sundays and Tuesdays
We test for faecal indicator bacteria including E. coli for freshwater and Enterococci for coastal waters
We also test for cyanobacteria/toxic algae
All sites are graded according to a traffic light system, as recommended by the Ministry of Health
Results are made available on the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) ‘Can I Swim Here?’ website module, as well as Horizons’ Safe Swim Spot web page for the public to view 48 hours after sampling

What we're doing to improve water quality in your district

Ruapehu

In August this year, Horizons was successful in an application to central government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund to speed up the rate of work being undertaken in the Whangaehu catchment.

This was one of 33 projects selected across the country and the funding is to go towards fencing, riparian planting and community projects to improve water quality. Horizons freshwater and partnerships manager Logan Brown says the Ngā Wai Ora o te Whangaehu Freshwater Improvement Project will result in at least $1.53 million being spent in the catchment.

“We’re collaborating very closely with Ngati Rangi and landowners, who are providing a combined contribution of over $470,000 towards the Whangaehu catchment initiatives. Horizons have also committed over $470,000, with the Freshwater Improvement Fund providing $590,000.

“The project will deliver over 60 kilometres of stream fencing to prevent stock access, the planting of 12,000 native riparian plants and five fish pass repairs. These projects will be led by both Ngati Rangi and Horizons and will involve numerous other stakeholders, with the works aligning with community and iwi aspirations for water quality.

Mr Brown says the funding is to be spread out over three years and begins on 1 July 2018.

“Over this timeframe we are also aiming to complete 10 community-led restoration projects. We will be calling for people to put forward their ideas for possible community projects in early 2018 and are really excited about what ideas might be out there.

“We look forward to working with everyone in the community across all aspects of the Ngā Wai Ora o te Whangaehu Freshwater Improvement project.”

If you have an idea in mind for a community driven project that aims to enhance or protect water quality in the Whangaehu catchment, or wish to undertake stream fencing on your property, please contact Horizons’ freshwater team on free phone 0508 800 800 to see what funding is available.

The Horizons Region was successful in securing over $5.84 million from central government under the Freshwater Improvement Fund.

Whanganui

Horizons has been focused on working with landowners and groups to help improve waterways around Whanganui for a number of years.

Horizons freshwater coordinator Clare Ridler says interest in fencing of streams to exclude stock, and riparian planting to provide shade and habitat for native fish has continued to grow in the area.

“This is really encouraging as it means people understand the contribution these activities make to improving water quality,” she says.

“Horizons assists with this type of work through our environmental grant process, providing grants towards stream fencing costs to encourage as many landowners and groups as possible to come on board. We also provide free advice on these activities.

“Riparian planting improves water quality and enhances habitat for native fish, koura and the native freshwater mussel (kakahi). Since 2013 Horizons have helped landowners plant nearly 27,000 native riparian plants in the Whanganui district.”

Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) programme also assists with water quality improvements.

“SLUI is a major non-regulatory method used to provide erosion control measures in the hill country including forestry, poplar planting, managed retirement of marginal land, and strategic management of slumps and earthflows. This results in less sediment entering waterways and therefore better water quality downstream,” says Myles Guy, Horizons land management coordinator for the Whanganui catchment.

“We work closely with the Whanganui River Enhancement Trust (WRET) towards projects within the Whanganui catchment and are appreciative of the funding support they provide.”

Manawatu/Rangitkei

The last few years have seen Horizons and territorial authorities apply to central government to help co-fund freshwater improvement programmes within the Region. This co-funding allows work to proceed at a faster rate than it would normally occur. One of the focuses of this funding has been to reduce the amount of wastewater discharged to water.

Horizons freshwater and partnership manager Logan Brown says the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord application to the Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund in 2012 saw central government contribute $5.2 million to the Manawatū catchment with $1 million of this being provided as a contribution to the upgrade of the Feilding wastewater treatment plant.

“The completed upgrade to the wastewater treatment process will result in the majority of the discharge being removed from the Oroua River and put to land during low river flows. This means there will be minimum wastewater discharge to the river during the time of the year when people are most likely to be swimming.

“The Accord has also encouraged local communities to become more heavily involved in restoring water quality across the Region through a dedicated community fund. Recent examples include impressive riparian fencing and planting by the Mangaone West Catchment Care Group.”

Mr Brown says looking over to Rangitikei, the recently announced round of central government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund has seen Horizons and Rangitikei District Council receiving funding to remove the Ratana wastewater discharge from Lake Waipu.

“This will see the wastewater being discharged to land and contribute towards improving water quality in the area. Horizons will oversee this project and contribute $75,000 towards a science and monitoring programme over three years and Rangitikei District Council has committed $950,000.

“The same fund also saw the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord receive $2.92 million for freshwater improvements. A major focus of the Manawatu programme will be on riparian fencing and planting with over $3.9 million to be spent by central government, Horizons and landowners to achieve at least 250 kilometres of stream fencing, and get 200,000 plants in the ground over five years.

“Our freshwater team will be actively looking for work in the Manawatū catchment when this funding starts on the 1 July 2018 so please get in touch on free phone 0508 800 800 if you would like to get involved.”

Overall, the Horizons Region was successful in securing over $5.84 million from central government under the Freshwater Improvement Fund. All central government funding that has come to the Region has resulted from a collaborative process from a number of stakeholders.

Tararua

The Tararua district makes up a large proportion of the Manawatū River catchment. This catchment has benefited greatly from the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord which was signed in 2010 and has had a number of actions completed to help improve water quality. Since then signatories to the Accord, landowners and community groups have continued to implement actions from the new action plan launched in 2016.

Horizons’ freshwater team has been heavily involved implementing the Accord in the Tararua district. Programme coordinator Lucy Ferguson says since 2010 445 kilometres of fencing to exclude stock from waterways has been completed.

“Horizons assists with this through our environmental grant process, providing up to 50 per cent of fencing costs to encourage as many farmers as possible to come on board,” she says.

“Riparian planting is also a tool used to improve water quality and to enhance habitat for native fish and trout. Since 2013 Horizons have helped landowners plant 58,900 native riparian plants.”

Ms Ferguson says Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) programme also assists with water quality improvements.

“SLUI is a major non-regulatory method used to provide erosion control measures in the hill country including forestry, poplar planting, managed retirement of marginal land as well as strategic management of slumps and earthflows. This results in less sediment entering waterways and therefore better water quality downstream.”

In recent months Horizons, on behalf of the Accord, has been awarded funding from central government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund for a project aimed at improving water quality across the whole of the Manawatū catchment.

“This project includes further funding to accelerate stream fencing and riparian planting. Our freshwater team will be actively seeking projects to help with, so if you are thinking of fencing and/or planting waterways on your property please contact us.

“The Freshwater Improvement Fund will also have funding available for community-led projects around the Tararua district and wider Manawatū catchment. If you have an idea in mind for a community driven project that aims to enhance or protect water quality then there will be funding available for these initiatives as well.”

To contact Horizons’ freshwater team please call free phone 0508 800 800. Over all, the Horizons Region was successful in securing over $5.84 million from central government under the Freshwater Improvement Fund.

Palmerston North

In August this year, Horizons, on behalf of the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord, was successful in an application to central government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund for projects in the Manawatū catchment. This was one of 33 projects selected across the country and the funding is to go towards activities to improve water quality in the awa.

Horizons freshwater programme coordinator Lucy Ferguson says the Manawatū River project will cost a total $7.24 million.

“This will include the upgrade of Tokomaru’s wastewater treatment plant to discharge to land, 250 kilometres of stream fencing, 200,000 riparian plants, 20 fish pass fixes, 45 community-led projects, Palmerston North City Council’s urban streams project, and matauranga Māori and cultural monitoring.

“As a member of the Manawatū River Leaders’ Forum, Horizons will contribute $1.96 million towards these projects. A further $2.3 million will come from Palmerston North City Council, Horowhenua District Council and landowners. The funding will cover the remaining $2.92 million, equating to 40 per cent of the project cost.”

This five year project is due to commence in July 2018 and will add to the significant work landowners, local authorities, community groups, iwi and hapu have already completed during the Fresh Start to Freshwater Clean-up Fund which ran from 2012 through to 2015.

“There will be further funding opportunities for riparian enhancement, fencing and community-led projects available to landowners and community groups to take advantage of. Please get in touch with our freshwater team on free phone 0508 800 800 if you wish to get involved.”

Since 2012 Horizons has helped with 17.7 kilometres of fencing within the city boundary and over the last four planting seasons 28,905 native riparian plants have been planted.

Overall, the Horizons Region was successful in securing over $5.84 million from central government under the Freshwater Improvement Fund.

Horowhenua

The Lake Horowhenua Accord was signed in 2013 and brought together five different parties representing Muaupoko owners, community interests and statutory bodies who have developed a shared vision for the lake. This was developed into four objectives:

Return Lake Horowhenua as a source of pride for all people of Horowhenua;
Enhance the social, recreational, cultural and environmental aspects of Lake Horowhenua in a fiscally responsible manner that will be acceptable to the community of Horowhenua;
Rehabilitate and protect the health of Lake Horowhenua for future generations; and
Consider how to respond to the key issues, management goals and fifteen guiding action points.

As the result of the Accord, an application to the Fresh Start for Freshwater Fund was made, resulting in the funding of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund with $540,000 coming from central government and $730,500 from within the Region. Horizons freshwater and partnership manager Logan Brown says this funding allowed for projects that aim to enhance water quality at the Lake to get underway.

“Early this year construction of the sediment trap at the bottom of the Arawhata Stream commenced. This should be finished over summer and be operational by April 2018.

“The sediment trap will function by diverting water at high flows through the trap. The larger surface area will slow the water down and allow sediment to drop out of the water into the trap, meaning cleaner water will then carry on to the Lake.”

Mr Brown says the sediment trap is predicted to remove 50 per cent of the sediment that comes down the Arawhata Stream during a flood event.

“The reduction in sediment will also see a reduction in phosphorus levels in the Lake as the two are bound together. Less phosphorus means less favourable conditions for toxic algae blooms to grow.”

The sediment trap is one of a number of integrated catchment projects being undertaken to improve water quality within Lake Horowhenua. All of these projects also aim to reduce toxic algae blooms within the Lake which prevent its use at certain times of the year.

Since the Accord was signed, and the first round of funding was received, momentum has continued to build with further funding being received from central government through the Te Mana o te Wai Fund. This has resulted in a Lake enhancement project being run by the Lake Horowhenua Trust, and there has also been the recent success of an application to the Freshwater Improvement Fund for further enhancement works.

What to consider before diving in

Water quality is one of a number of considerations to consider before diving in at your favourite swim spot. It is also important to remember:

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

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

If it’s 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 Ministry of Health, signs are erected and information is provided to the public that the site is considered unsuitable for recreational use.

Swim, splash and share our Region to win!

From rafting the Rangitikei like last year’s winner, to picnicking in the Pohangina or hanging out at Himatangi Beach, our Region is full of fantastic swim spots ready for you to enjoy this summer.

Plus we’re offering you the chance to swim and win. Simply post a pic of your favourite swim spot to our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts with #swiminourregion by 3 April 2018. Be sure to tag the Horizons Region location too, and you’re in the draw to win an adventure package for four, up to the value of $1,500. See here for more details.

Stay safe, stay informed this summer

This summer stay safe by being informed of what action to take in the event of an emergency regardless if you are at home or away.

With many New Zealanders hitting the beach don’t forget if you experience a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more, see a sudden rise or fall in sea level or hear loud and unusual noises from the sea, move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can.

Should this situation occur you may receive an Emergency Mobile Alert issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management telling you to move inland immediately. However it’s best to know what action to undertake regardless.

Also remember to have a plan with your family if a disaster strikes, such as where to meet. Staying safe on the roads over the busy period is also important so be cautious, drive to the conditions, take breaks if you are tired and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

Council meetings

February

Environment Committee, 13 February, 9am
Catchment Operations Committee, 13 February, following Environment Committee
Strategy and Policy Committee, 14 February, 9.30am
Passenger Transport Committee, 20 February, 10am
Regional Council, 27 February, 10am