Monitoring and reporting on the state of the regional environment is a core activity for the Council.
Air quality
Air quality is regularly tested in areas determined to be 'worst-case scenario' checkpoints.
Inhalable Particulate PM25 Programme Report 2020-2021 (805 KB PDF) More reportsAir quality - nitrogen oxides (NOx) levels
The Council reports annually on its co-ordinated region-wide monitoring programme to measure nitrogen oxides.
Nitrogen oxides NOx levels in Taranaki 2021-22 (1.2 MB pdf) Earlier reportsAir quality - BTEX levels
The Council measures the concentrations of the volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). This monitoring takes place at sites near industries that emit BTEX and at urban sites to determine exposure levels for the general population.
Taranaki BTEX survey 2019 (837 KB pdf) (single document only)Analysis of air quality-related incidents and complaints
This January 2021 memorandum analyses the causes, types, and degrees of compliance associated with air quality-related incidents in Taranaki since 2011, when the current Regional Air Quality Plan for Taranaki came into effect.
Analysis of air quality-related incidents and complaints (691 KB pdf) (single document only)Coastal bathing beaches
Water quality at popular coastal beaches is regularly monitored over the summer swimming season from November to March. Results are generally excellent.
Coastal water quality summer 2019-2020 (2.9 MB pdf) Earlier reportsFreshwater recreational bathing
Water quality at popular freshwater bathing sites is monitored over the summer season from November to March, with results available to the public.
Freshwater recreational bathing summer 2019-2020 (2.7 MB pdf) Earlier reportsFreshwater ecological health
Ecological health is assessed using an internationally recognised index based on tiny animals – including insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms and leeches – called macroinvertebrates. The index is called the Macroinvertebrate Community Index, or MCI. The Council uses the MCI at 59 key sites on 26 rivers and streams.
Freshwater Macroinvertebrate State of the Environment Report 2019 2023 (3.9 MB pdf) Earlier reportsCompliance biomonitoring
As well as monitoring ecological health at dedicated sites under its state of the environment monitoring programme, the Council carries out similar monitoring at scores of other sites as part of its consent compliance monitoring programmes. The latter results are presented here in summary form.
Compliance biomonitoring summary 2019-2020 (295 KB pdf) (single document only)Freshwater physical & chemical state
Physical and chemical ('physicochemical') measurements are used to assess pressures on the health of rivers. The measures include bacteria levels, water clarity, conductivity and acidity (pH levels), nutrient levels, dissolved oxygen levels and the amount of oxygen consumed in the breakdown of organic matter. In all, there are 13 individual measures, which the Council now monitors at 13 sites.
Freshwater physicochemical monitoring 2018-2019 (2.8 MB pdf) Earlier reportsRecreational use of coast, rivers and lakes
The Council monitors public access and amenity values, including recreational attributes, of the region's rivers, lakes and coast. The monitoring is undertaken periodically with public surveys and field observations.
Freshwater & coast recreation survey 2019-2020 (1.8 MB pdf) Earlier reportsPesticides in fresh water
Periphyton (algae)
Algae (periphyton) provide much of the food/energy for aquatic ecosystems. But excessive algae has adverse effects on aquatic habitats and aesthetics. The Council monitors long strands (filaments) and mats of periphyton at 21 sites.
NPS Periphyton Monitoring Report 2018-2021 (969 KB PDF) Earlier reportsGroundwater
The level and composition of groundwater are monitored to ensure there is no adverse effect from human activity.
Groundwater Quantity State of the Environment Monitoring Triennial Report 2017-2020 (1.8 MB pdf) More reportsRocky shore
Six representative reef sites are monitored twice a year to gather data for this reporting.
Rocky shore monitoring 2017-2019 (3 MB pdf) Earlier reportsLake Rotorangi
The Council monitors the water quality and ecological health of Lake Rotorangi, which was formed when the Patea hydro scheme was established on the Patea River at Hurleyville in the 1980s.
SEM Lake Rotorangi Annual Report 2020-2021 (1.7 MB PDF) Earlier reports