Action taken to ensure farmers measure and report water use

Environment Canterbury has completed its programme of contacting around 500 water consent holders who hadn’t yet installed a water meter for takes over 10 litres per second.

“All of this group of consent holders now either have an agreed action plan in place to install a water measuring device, or are aware they have 10 working days to provide evidence that action is being taken to avoid further enforcement action,” said Nadeine Dommisse, Environment Canterbury Regional Manager - Implementation Support.

Of those contacted 63 are now fully compliant with their consent conditions and the national regulations. In addition 45 abatement notices and one infringement notice (which incurs a fine) have also been issued.

"It is the consent holders’ responsibility to ensure they are complying with their consent conditions to measure and manage water takes.

“What we have found that once contacted, many people took action immediately or provided evidence they had a plan in place to install the necessary equipment and systems.”

Environment Canterbury made contact in May and June with the 500 outstanding water consent holders who had not provided evidence they had installed a water measuring system. Around 5400 (or 90% of the 5900 water consent holders in Canterbury) had already provided evidence they complied with the regulations. All water consent holders with a take of 10l/s or more are required to measure their water takes and provide data to Environment Canterbury of their daily water use.

“We have been working closely with farmers and industry groups over the past couple of years so that consent holders know what they need to do and where to go to get advice. Over the past few months our focus has been on dealing with the relatively small proportion of people who had not complied with their consent conditions or the national metering regulations,” said Nadeine Dommisse.

For more information on the government’s regulations, and a full list of approved service providers visit the Environment Canterbury and Irrigation New Zealand websites.

Visit: www.ecan.govt.nz/watermetering

www.irrigationnz.co.nz/industry/water-measurement

ENDS

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