Can you reduce water on paper?

A call has gone out to water permit holders who wish to voluntarily reduce their water allocations, which could help towards spreading available water resources to horticulture businesses.

“The amount of water available from some rivers and aquifers on the Flats is fully allocated to permit holders,” says shared services science manager Lois Easton,

“There is a waiting list of people who need access to water to support their businesses.”

In order to free up water which is not currently being used, known as paper allocation, the water resources team at Council are identifying water permits where reductions can occur without affecting the actual water used by the water permit holder.

“Water users are encouraged to make contact with us if they are happy to free up any of their unused allocated water.”

The Freshwater Plan introduced rules for water permits in the Waipaoa Catchment area and allocations will need to be aligned more closely to actual water use when consents are renewed.

“As you can appreciate, reviewing consents for actual use is likely to be a difficult and somewhat sensitive task,” says Ms Easton,

“So before we begin this process we openly invite any and all water users to, on their terms, voluntarily have their water allocations reduced to amounts that better reflect their needs.”

“We certainly would appreciate the co-operation of water users in helping keep water resources sustainable in our district.”

Please contact the Water and Coastal Resources Team or email water.info@gdc.govt.nz

ENDS

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