Good response to NZ water measuring compliance action

New Zealand’s Environment Canterbury is working with water consent holders with takes of 20 litres per second and more to ensure compliance with the national regulations to install a water measuring system.

The deadline for installation of a water measuring device and data logger was 10 November under government regulations. At that time, 56% of Canterbury’s affected consent holders had complied, 32% had confirmed they would install a water measuring system and 12% had not responded to requests for information.

“We started a compliance program on November 12 with a selection of the water consent holders we had not heard from and who were potentially non-compliant with the water measuring regulations,” said Kim Drummond, Environment Canterbury’s Director of Resource Management.

“The program started with a personalised letter reminding consent holders of the requirement to install a water measuring system and was followed up by a phone call and site visit from a compliance officer if required.”

This follow-up work was at the consent holder’s cost.

“We found around half of these consent holders had in fact installed an appropriate water measuring system or had contracted a service provider to do so. A few consent holders decided to surrender their consents.

“There are only a very small number of consent holders who have been uncooperative and are unfortunately facing abatement action unless they engage with our compliance officers in the near future.

“We have been encouraged by the response to our follow-up work to ensure compliance with the national regulations as consent holders realise the benefits of installing a water measuring system.

“Many farmers are already enjoying the benefits of having the information required to ensure the best use of water.

“Telemetry devices - which transmit water data to a base station - have now become essential to how many farmers manage their farm. This is an example of farmers seeing the benefit of going beyond regulated requirements to optimise the efficiency of their farming operation.”

The compliance program will continue in January, targeting any remaining potentially non-compliant water consent holders to ensure they meet the requirements of the national regulations for measuring and reporting water takes.

Background to water measuring regulations

Water consent holders with takes of 5 L/s and more are required to install a water measuring system under the government’s national regulations, introduced in 2010. Consent holders must also provide their water use data to their regional council in July of each year.

The first deadline was 10 November for water consent holders with takes of 20 L/s and more. Consent holders with takes between 10 and less than 20 L/s have until 10 November 2014. Consent holders with takes between five and less than 10 L/s have until 10 November 2016.

Environment Canterbury has worked with IrrigationNZ, industry suppliers and farmer representatives to establish standards for the installation and verification of water measuring devices. There are around 40 companies in Canterbury which have been assessed and are authorised to provide water measuring services.

More information about water measuring services, approved installation companies and the implementation of the national regulations can be found here and here.