The Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand’s latest national report makes very dismal reading Our fresh water 2017 measures the quality of New Zealand’s waterways, including water quality, biodiversity and cultural health. Continue →

Local government is at the heart of water issues in New Zealand, from the provision of drinking water and storm and waste water services to implementing standards for freshwater quality LGNZ President Lawrence Yule says “Water 2050” will develop a framework for water that coherently integrates freshwater quality and quantity, standards, rights and allocation, land use, three waters infrastructure, cost and affordability, and funding while recognising that the allocation of iwi rights and interests in freshwater is a live issue for the crown. Continue →

Forest & Bird has written to Environment Minister Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy to advise that the organisation’s board has decided to withdraw from the Land and Water Forum The move follows the government’s proposed freshwater standards, released last month, which largely ignore the consensus recommendations of the forum. Continue →

The government has announced a target of 90 per cent of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers meeting swimmable water quality standards by 2040, alongside releasing new policy, regulations, information maps and funding to help achieve the new goal “The plan is backed up by national regulations requiring stock to be fenced out of waterways, new national policy requirements on regional councils to strengthen their plan rules on issues such as sewage discharges and planting riparian margins, a new Freshwater Improvement Fund and new maps that clearly identify where improvements are needed,” Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says. Continue →

The crisis in Havelock North has put the spotlight on the risks of untreated water and a national discussion on acceptable risks for public water supply is required says Water New Zealand chief executive John Pfahlert. Continue →

New wastewater treatment technology at Fonterra’s Edendale site is turning dairy waste into fertiliser that is helping local pastures flourish. Continue →

An innovative water treatment plant in south-eastern Australia was a fitting finalist in one of the world’s major infrastructure awards. Continue →