The Importance Of Freshwater Management In New Zealand

Freshwater management has been of major concern in New Zealand, particularly during the last two decades. There has been consistent decline in water quality and quantity in Canterbury during this time. Consequently, work has been made to improving the way water resources are managed. This report will discuss the consent conditions for the Lincoln University Dairy and Research Farms, consent number CRC143396, and how the consent is monitored. The Resource Management Act (1991), the Dairying Clean Streams Accord and the ‘dirty dairying’ campaign were identified to have required, incentivised or influenced farms to improve their effluent and water pollution management techniques before 2011. Finally, farm management practice will need to change, …show more content…
It intends to “to contribute toward clean, healthy freshwater resources including streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and wetlands in dairying areas” (Ministry for Primary Industries, 2013, p. 3) . The accord had a duration of 10 years with objectives to achieve better water quality. These included stock exclusion from waterways; compliance with effluent discharge; and nutrient management …show more content…
This report firstly recognises that water quality is declining, but demand for water is growing. Secondly, the report acknowledges the multiple values of water to people, be that environmental, economic, social or cultural interest. It concedes that these needs were not being met (Minstry for the Environment & Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). This report led to the creation of some National Environmental Statements in 2008 relating to the standard of drinking water and ecological flows and water levels (Webster-Brown,