It’s clear that freshwater quality will be a much-talked-about issue in the lead-up to the national elections in September.
David MacLeod, Chairman
Such discussion and debate is generally welcome. Environmentally, economically, culturally and socially, our rivers and streams are important to us all. Here in Taranaki, we have many achievements to celebrate, but we also have more work to do.
As we report in Recount this month, the ecological health of the region’s waterways is continuing to show signs of strong improvement. It’s important to note that this is a separate, and regarded as a more reliable, assessment of freshwater quality than simply measuring bacteria levels at particular times.
The community has spent millions and millions of dollars to protect and enhance waterways. Industries and communities (councils) have eliminated or considerably reduced the impact of point-source outfalls, and farmers are fencing and planting thousands of kilometres of streambanks. This Council is also requiring farmers to move to land disposal of dairy effluent.
As a result of this ongoing work and investment, the Council expects to see continued improvements in freshwater quality.
However, we can still expect contamination to occur from time to time, particularly after heavy rainfall. This can come from a range of sources including urban run-off, pasture run-off and wildlife. The Council’s own DNA sampling has shown that wildfowl are responsible for regular E. coli exceedances at a few monitored sites.
It’s also important to note that New Zealand’s bathing water quality is among the best in the OECD.
Let’s hope the context and realities don’t disappear from view as the freshwater debate and discussion continues.
— David MacLeod
RECOUNT — Taranaki Regional Council's quarterly newsletter
Issue 104, March 2017