New data shows stagnant action on water quality

Recent recreational water quality data released by the Ministry for the Environment paints a depressing picture of the state of our rivers and lakes, the Green Party said today.

The 2009/10 Update on Freshwater Recreational Water Quality showed that last summer only 57 percent of freshwater swimming spots had water quality that met contact recreation guidelines most of the time.

The monitoring measures levels of E.Coli, an indicator of animal or human faecal bacteria.

“Time and time again, water quality data is bearing out what we already know,” Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said.

“Intensive dairy farming, as well as inadequate sewage treatment, is responsible for the deterioration of our rivers, streams and lakes, the common heritage of all New Zealanders.

“These are the spots where New Zealand families have swum, fished and messed about in boats for generations. But these days, you run a pretty good chance of getting sick if you swim at many of our favourite spots.”

The worst spots include the Kaiapoi river north of Christchurch, Piha lagoon west of Auckland and the stream at Oakura beach in Taranaki, which failed to meet contact recreation guidelines on any occasion, despite being Taranaki’s premier surfing and holiday retreat.

“How many warnings does this Government need before they take action to set enforceable water quality standards? I urge the Minister to adopt the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management that is currently lying on his desk,” Dr Norman said.

The Policy Statement would set in place regulations that could see an immediate improvement in our water quality.

“Unless we act now, we are setting ourselves up for a future in which Kiwi kids can no longer swim in our lowland rivers and lakes, and that would be a tragedy,” Dr Norman said.

References:

2009/10 Update on Freshwater Recreational Water Quality:

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/environmental-reporting/freshwater/recreational/snapshot/freshwater.html

ENDS

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