October 28, 2008

MEDIA STATEMENT

Water availability community meetings in Canterbury

Environment Canterbury (ECan) is hosting a series of community meetings to discuss the availability of water pumped from wells, rivers and streams, along with the implementation of the new national environmental standard for the measurement of water takes throughout the region.

ECan groundwater and river water scientists will present the most up-to-date information on the water resource as it affects consent holders and the environment. There will also be presentations from water metering manager John Young and other ECan staff and the opportunity for questions. All meetings are open to the public.

"The meetings are an opportunity to find out more about the new national environmental standard and how to choose the best flowmeter system for your property," says John Young. "Flowmeters, when used in conjunction with soil moisture monitoring, can help farmers improve the performance of their irrigation system and increase pasture and crop growth. Unnecessary pumping, water logging and leaching can be a thing of the past."

The annual "State of the Canterbury Region Water Resource" report will form the basis of the four community water meetings held throughout Canterbury.

"These community meetings are a valuable way for ECan and the water-using community to talk," said Ken Taylor, ECan director investigations and monitoring. "They are a forum for community feedback and ECan encourages attendance and participation from consent holders and members of the community."

Meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday November 4

10am to 11am, with question time until 11.45am

Waipara Hall, Glenmark Drive, Waipara

Chaired by ECan North Canterbury councillor Ross Little

(Specific to groundwater zones north of the Waimakariri River)

Thursday, November 6

9.30am to 10.30am, with question time until 11.15am

Dunsandel Community hall, Hororata Rd, Dunsandel

Chaired by ECan Rakaia councillor Angus McKay

(Specific to groundwater zones between the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers)

Thursday, November 6

2pm - 3pm, with question time until 3.45pm

Hinds Community Centre, Rogers St, Hinds

Chaired by Cr Angus McKay

(Specific to groundwater zones between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers)

Friday, November 7

1.30pm - 2.30pm, with question time until 3.15pm

Greyway Lounge, Timaru Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Washdyke

Chaired by ECan South Canterbury councillor Mark Oldfield

(Specific to groundwater zones south of the Rangitata River)

The report, "State of the Canterbury Region Water Resource October 2008", will be available in early November on ECan's website www.ecan.govt.nz. Hard copies can also be obtained, at cost, from Customer Services by phoning 0800 EC INFO (0800 324 636) or emailing ecinfo@ecan.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media