On-Stream
You'll no doubt be aware of the Government's recent announcement to change the swimmability standards in New Zealand.
Otago's lakes and rivers are amongst the highest-rating in New Zealand for being safe to swim in, and we need to make sure we work together to not only keep them that way, but also to clean up any waterways that aren't so good.
The Government is also proposing new livestock exclusion rules. ORC will be making a submission on this to make sure any national regulations are workable for our region, and we'll keep you up to date about this.
In order to improve water quality, one of the first steps is knowing what it's like in your area, then thinking about the impact you could be having.
We've just released updated water quality information sheets for various catchments throughout Otago, which will tell you what the water quality in your catchment is like. You can find a link to them in this issue of On-Stream, along with our regular regional round-up.
Happy reading,
The ORC team
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Feature story: Testing water quality on your farm
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There's some confusion around water quality testing and the difference between State of the Environment (SOE) testing versus Schedule 16 testing.
SOE testing is something that ORC carries out each month, and our sampling sites around Otago are generally at the bottom of catchments so we can make informed decisions about the wider catchment area.
Schedule 16 testing involves landholders testing any water discharge from their land at non-point sources feeding into waterways, to make sure the discharge is within the contaminant thresholds for nitrogen, phosphorus and E. coli that are set out in Schedule 16 of the Water Plan. These thresholds come into effect on 1 April 2020, but it's a good idea to start testing now if you haven't already so you know where you stand.
What do SOE and Schedule 16 testing have in common?
As specified in the Water Plan, the results for SOE testing are only reported when the representative flow site is at or below median flow, because this is when people are more likely to use the water for recreation, and also when aquatic life is most likely to be impacted on.
Any testing you do on your property also needs to be carried out when the representative flow site is at or below median flow, for the same reasons outlined above.
You can find out the median flow at your representative flow site at http://bit.ly/2mpqACL
Why is SOE testing relevant for you?
Our SOE water quality report cards tell you information about the overall water quality in your catchment. They are a useful tool because you can see what impact you could be having on the water quality in the overall catchment.
The SOE report cards give a five-yearly review of river and stream health, which gives a great picture of overall water quality.
We've just updated the SOE water quality report cards at http://bit.ly/2mGLY7m so have a look to find out the water quality in your catchment, what we test for, and why it's a problem.
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| Updates from your liaison specialists |
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Bruce Monaghan - Central Otago
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Round 2 meetings between catchment groups and statutory bodies.
At the moment I'm involved with facilitating meetings between water user groups and iwi, DoC, and Fish and Game (round 2 meetings). These are a follow-up to the round 1 meetings, which outlined what's involved in transitioning from deemed permits to water permits.
These meetings help water user groups understand the fish and flow data (see more in 'In Brief') as well as other values for the catchment. This is important because applications to replace deemed permits with water permits generally require written approval from affected parties such as iwi, DoC, and Fish and Game. The meetings also help water user groups understand the importance of residual flows, which is a condition of new water permits.
The meetings involve ORC science staff presenting fish and flow data from our web portal (http://bit.ly/2nqcwd5) followed by the three affected parties outlining the worth and importance of the data and the need for safeguarding waterway values with residual flows. The catchment groups can also give feedback to the statutory groups because they have a thorough appreciation of river behaviours within their properties, and are a valuable source of local knowledge to discuss residual flows.
The round 2 meetings are going well and it's good to see the positive outcomes of everyone sitting around a table together to discuss what's important about protecting our waterways to make sure there is enough water for both landholders and the aquatic life that live in them.
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March madness has set in, and as a result I have seen most corners of Otago.
You may have seen us at the Clydevale Farming Expo at the beginning of the month. We had several enquiries about willow removal, the consent process and water quality results. Thank you for stopping by our site and chatting with our team, we all enjoyed the day.
I have spent a significant part of the last month attending deemed permit meetings in Central Otago where I have been learning the ins and outs of water quantity. I also spent a week on the road with the ORC policy team, assisting with the proposed plan change residual flow drop-in meetings.
A hectic couple of weeks brings to an end my time working solely in South Otago. I have really enjoyed meeting new people and checking out the great activity unfolding in the area - I welcome Rebecca Begg back into the position after her maternity leave, while I take a step to the side with matters a little closer to Dunedin.
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Welcome back Bex! After six months on maternity leave, we're happy to announce that Bex is back on board in South Otago.
Bex has been with ORC for two and a half years and after some time out to look after her baby (she's a proud mum to two wee boys - a baby and a busy toddler) she's already back into the swing of things.
After growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Central Otago, she moved down the river to South Otago after getting married, and is now on another sheep and beef farm.
You'll hear from Bex in the next issue of On-Stream. |
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ORC’s science team has begun a monitoring project in the lower Shag catchment, which is focused on the Nitrogen Sensitive Zone (similar to the existing science project looking at the interaction between the Kakanui Alluvium Aquifer and the Kakanui River).
For those geeks amongst you, the team is using Radon and Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing Survey (FO-DTS) techniques to refine their understanding of the groundwater/surface water interactions. Radon is a radioactive natural gas and is naturally present in groundwater, but usually has very low concentrations in surface waters due to degassing to the atmosphere. The FO-DTS utilise optoelectronic devices that measure temperatures by means of optical fibres functioning as linear sensors. Temperatures are recorded along the optical sensor cable as a continuous profile. A high accuracy of temperature determination is achieved over great distances.
Measuring Radon and temperature along the Shag River will help locate where groundwater enters the river with great accuracy, and can then be used to optimise the location of long-term monitoring sites. Interesting stuff! We will let you know more about this project as it progresses.
NOSLaM’s new North Otago farmer-focused project is nearly up and running. The plan is to monitor the water quality of small tributary creeks off the Kakanui River, Waiareka and Awamoko creeks, and use the results to inform and engage the landowners within each small tributary catchment. This initiative offers a great chance for locals to find local solutions and show what can happen when farmers roll their sleeves up. If you’d like to know more about this and get stuck in, please contact me or someone from NOSLaM. You can also find out more in the next issue of Waterlines, which is due out in April.
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| Investing in reticulated stock water systems on hill country has big benefits for both the environment and the pocket. Click on this link to find out why: http://bit.ly/2lEXDSY |
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| This great video about Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Land and Environment Plan (LEP) workshops was made by The Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP). While LEPs aren't compulsory in Otago, we recommend them as a great farm management tool. Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/2lOYsbK |
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| We have launched a portal on our website that gives you information about water permits, freshwater fish values, river flows, and water races in Otago. It's a handy tool designed to help anyone applying for water permits. Go to: http://www.orc.govt.nz/fishandflowportal |
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What's coming up?
- Annual Plan consultation
- 3 Apil - Submissions open
- 12 May - Submissions close
- 22-26 May - Hearings
- 28 June - 2017/18 plan adopted
We'll have more information for you in the next issue of On-Stream.
- 29 March 2017 - Water quantity forum. We will discuss what you need to know about expiring deemed permits and give helpful tips to get you started. 9.30am - 3.00pm, The Cellar Door, Alexandra. |
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| If you missed the summer issue of ORC's quarterly newsletter 'Waterlines', you can check it out here: http://bit.ly/2mtj4XR |
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| If you know someone who should subscribe to On-Stream, forward this email to them and suggest they email us at water@orc.govt.nz to subscribe. |
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| Make sure you like the 'Good Water in Otago - ORC' Facebook page - click the Facebook link below. |
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