ewdocs n3240949 v14 presentation for 2015 lsf

OutlineOutline

11 Project overview

2 Freshwater Management Units (FMU)2 Freshwater Management Units (FMU)

3 Attributes

4 State, trends and drivers of water quality issues

5 Modelling and research work

11ProjectProject

overviewoverview

work with stakeholders to develop regional plan changesdevelop regional plan changes

t d t t i ’ h lthrestore and protect rivers’ health

vibrant regional economy

Reduce point and non-point sources of contaminants

– nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria –

entering water bodies (including groundwater)entering water bodies (including groundwater)

in the Waikato and Waipa catchmentsp

Why?Why?

L l i t Legal requirementsWater quality monitoring results

Policy effectiveness reviewsStakeholder expectations

Key milestonesyAug Project startsg2012 Project starts

May 2013

Menus of farming practices to improve water quality launched

Aug Almost 130 stakeholders attend k h f i CSG2013 workshop on forming CSG

Sep2013

Almost 40 key stakeholders attend workshop on forming Technical Alliance

Key milestones (cont.)y ( )

Mar CSG workshops startMar2014

CSG workshops start, occurring every 4 to 6 weeks

May2014 Technical Alliance announced2014 Technical Alliance announced

Oct2014

More than 200 people discuss CSG’s draft policy selection criteria and working list of values and uses at stakeholder forumof values and uses at stakeholder forum

Project structure

Healthy Rivers Wai

jWaikato Healthy Rivers Wai

Ora CommitteeRegional Council

Collaborative Stakeholder

Groupp

Te Rōpū Hautū

Technical Alliance

Collaborative Stakeholder GroupCollaborative Stakeholder GroupRural

advocacyHorticulture EnergyadvocacySheep

and beefRural

professionals

Local government

F tWater

Industry

24 seats Forestrysupply takes

Tourism and recreationDairy recreation

Community Māori interests

Environment/NGOs

CSG’s focus statementCSG s focus statement

To come up with proposed limits, timelines

and practical options for managing contaminantsand practical options for managing contaminants

and discharges into the Waikato and Waipa

catchments to ensure our rivers and lakes are

safe to swim in and take food from, support

healthy biodiversity and provide for socialhealthy biodiversity and provide for social,

economic and cultural wellbeing.

Mātauranga MāoriMātauranga Māori

body of knowledge from Māori ancestors• body of knowledge from Māori ancestors, including:

worldview• worldview• perspectives• creativity• creativity • cultural practices

t diti l hi t i l d t i di id l• traditional, historical and contemporary, individual, local and collective knowledge, Māori values, c lt ral e pressions perspecti es andcultural expressions, perspectives and observations

Integrating Mātauranga MāoriIntegrating Mātauranga Māori

• Existing literature and projects

Knowledge networks

• Physical and non-• CSG developed values

• Hui with iwi technicians

physical values and what influences them

• Workshops with iwirepresentatives, pūkenga

• Holistic, but relevance and influence of

t i t d ib dp , p g

and relevant practitioners contaminants described

CSG’s working list of values and usesCSG s working list of values and uses

t iti t• outcomes communities wants to achieve from freshwater management

• freshwater bodies will be• freshwater bodies will be managed to achieve these values and uses

waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers

CSG’s draft policy selection criteriaCSG s draft policy selection criteria

filters CSG will use to choose• filters CSG will use to choose between different policy optionsoptions

• updated following feedback at last stakeholder forumlast stakeholder forum

• being finalised following feedback from River iwifeedback from River iwi


Your feedback todayYour feedback today

Freshwater Management Units• Freshwater Management Units• Attributes• Water quality

How it all fits togethergFreshwater Management Units

Values/uses What we value water for

Attributes What we’d measure

Att ib t l l Wh t l l i t blAttribute levels What level is acceptable

Limits/objectives What we aim forLimits/objectives What we aim for

Policy methods How to achieve ity

How your feedback will be usedHow your feedback will be used

CSG will use it in their work:• CSG will use it in their work: • setting attributes and their states• developing and assessing options/scenarios• choosing limits, targets and policy methods

• CSG will ask for more feedback later in 2015 after some scenarios tested

Next stepspApr • Drop in sessions and events for sectors and communityp2015

p y

Apr-Aug 2015

• TLG fills key information gaps• CSG develops scenarios representing range of limits, targets, methods• TLG models scenarios and assesses impacts

Aug-Oct

p

• CSG uses policy selection criteria to compare scenariosOct2015

Oct

• Events for community and sector input

Oct-Nov 2015

• CSG considers feedback and debates options• CSG’s preferred options go to Healthy Rivers Wai Ora committee

Next steps (cont )Next steps (cont.)

• Recommendations drafted into a proposed plan change documentDec 2015-Apr 2016

Apr • Proposed plan change goes to the council for adoption, before public notification and formal submission process2016 before public notification and formal submission process

Jun2017

• Formal submission and hearing processes expected to finish

22FreshwaterFreshwater

Management UnitsManagement Units


Values/uses what we value water for

Attributes what we’d measure

Att ib t l l h t l l i t blAttribute levels what level is acceptable



About FMUsAbout FMUs

Areas catchment is divided into for:• Areas catchment is divided into for:• setting freshwater objectives and limits• freshwater accounting and management purposes• freshwater accounting and management purposes

• National Policy Statement for Freshwater M (NPS FM) i All fManagement (NPS-FM) requirement. Allows for:• identical objectives and methods amongst FMUs

diff t li i d th d ithi FMU• different policies and methods within an FMU

CSG’s preferredCSG s preferred FMU option

1 Upper WaikatoHuka Falls to Karapiro

2 Middle WaikatoKarapiro to Ngaruawahia

3 Lower WaikatoNgaruawahia to Port Waikato

4 Waipa4 WaipaWaipa River Catchment

5 Shallow lakes5 Shallow lakesSelected lowland lakes nested within their local catchment

Five water quality monitoring sites that would be part of the network to monitor each FMU. (N.B. It is possible to monitor an FMU from a site located outside it.)

Reasons for preferred optionReasons for preferred option• Identifies main catchmentsIdentifies main catchments• Separates Waipa and Waikato catchments• Separate treatment of selected lakesp• Aligns with catchment management zones• Recognises Hamilton urban and peri-urban area• Recognises impounded versus flowing water in Waikato River• Partly combines geomorphic or hydrogeological units• Existing monitoring sites can monitor each FMU (with some

accounting/correction)• Reflects issues to be managedReflects issues to be managed• Aligns with Waikato River Independent Scoping Study

sub-regions

F db k i FMUFeedback session: FMUs

Wh t iWhat are your views on dividing the catchmenton dividing the catchment up in this way?

3Attributes


Values/uses What we value water for

Attributes What we’d measure

Att ib t l l Wh t l l i t blAttribute levels What level is acceptable



Attributes what we will measure in water toAttributes what we will measure in water to determine its health

Attribute states numbers or narratives that convey required level of an attribute torequired level of an attribute to achieve a certain level of water quality healthquality health

Why have attributes?Why have attributes?

Measure attributes to

Check if people’s valuesattributes to

determine health of water

people s values achieved

of water

What we’re doing nowgAttributes for values:

Human health

• Subset of wider list

for recreation

wider list• Prominent in Vision and

Ecosystemhealth Vision and

StrategyMahinga kai

health

Mahinga kai(safe to eat)

Draft attributes:Draft attributes: Human health for recreation

Attrib te E coliAttribute E. coli

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes, riverstype/s

Importance Risk of infection/illness from contact/ingestion

Monitored Yes

D ft tt ib tDraft attributes: Human health for recreation (cont.)

Attribute Cyanobacteria planktonicAttribute Cyanobacteria - planktonic

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes, lake-fed rivers yp

Importance Toxic algae, makes people sick. Risks include respiratory, irritation, allergy symptoms.

Monitored 5 lakes only

D ft tt ib tDraft attributes: Human health for recreation (cont.)

Attribute Water clarityAttribute Water clarity

In NPS-FM No

Water body type/s Lakes and riverstype/s

Importance Affects peoples’ safety (ability to see obstacles in water) and desire to swim

Monitored Yes

D ft tt ib tDraft attributes: Ecosystem health

Attrib te Ph toplanktonAttribute Phytoplankton

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes and Waikato mainstemtype/s

Importance Excessive algal/plant growth impacts ecological communitiesg

Monitored Yes (Waikato mainstem)

D ft tt ib tDraft attributes: Ecosystem health (cont.)

Attribute Total nitrogenAttribute Total nitrogen

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes and Waikato mainstemtype/s

Importance Excessive algal/plant growth impacts ecological communities

Monitored Yes


Attribute Total phosphorusAttribute Total phosphorus

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes and Waikato mainstem

Importance Excessive algal/plant growth impacts ecological communities

Monitored Yes


Attribute NitrateAttribute Nitrate

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Riversyp

Importance Affects growth of some species

Monitored Yes


Attrib te AmmoniaAttribute Ammonia

In NPS-FM Yes

Water body type/s Lakes and riverstype/s

Importance Affects survival of some species

Monitored Yes

Draft attributes:Draft attributes: Mahinga kai (safe to eat)

Attrib te E coliAttribute E. coli

In NPS-FM No

Water body type/s Lakes, riverstype/s

Importance Risk of infection/illness from contact/ingestion

Monitored Yes

Draft attributes:Draft attributes: Mahinga kai (safe to eat) (cont.)

Attrib te C anobacteria planktonicAttribute Cyanobacteria - planktonic

In NPS-FM No

Water body type/s Lakes, lake-fed rivers type/s

Importance Toxic algae, makes people sick. Risks include respiratory, irritation, allergy symptoms.

Monitored Yes

Other attributesOther attributes

Attributes conversations ongoing• Attributes conversations ongoing• Narrative statements for Mātauranga Māori factors (in development) will be considered

Other attributes (cont )Other attributes (cont.)

CSG h id d th tt ib t i l di

• Macroinvertebrate Community Index

CSG has considered other attributes, including:

Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI)

• Macrophytes e.g. Lake submerged plant • Mostly affected by

multiple factors, index (SPI)

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO) -if practical to monitor

p ,so more info. required

• Could become set of ecological indicatorsif practical to monitor

• Periphytonecological indicators

Rationale for draft attributesRationale for draft attributes

Most in National Objectives Framework (NOF)• Most in National Objectives Framework (NOF)• Some attributes extended to apply to more water

body types than in NOF• Experts say ‘water clarity’ most stringent attribute,Experts say water clarity most stringent attribute,

supports:

ecosystem health

human health for recreation

‘Water clarity’ draft attributeWater clarity draft attribute

Not in NOF• Not in NOF• Only draft attribute that includes a measure of

sediment

Feedback session: Attributes

Do you have any comments f db k b t thor feedback about the

draft list of attributes?draft list of attributes?

How clear does the river t h t b b fwater have to be before

you’d get in it?you d get in it?A. Don’t mind how murky it isyB. Can see from knees to toesC Can see from waist to toesC. Can see from waist to toesD. Can see from neck to toesE Have to see further thanE. Have to see further than

my toes

44State trends and driversState, trends and drivers of water quality issuesof water quality issues

StatesStates

Shows how water bodies doing against attributes• Shows how water bodies doing against attributes• State of 4 key attributes shown

• E. coli, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, water clarity

• Shown as ‘bands’• A, B, C, D or less than Minimum Acceptable State (<MAS)

TrendsTrends

Based on following data• Based on following data• Waikato River 1995-2014• Other rivers 1993 2012• Other rivers 1993-2012• Lakes 2002-2014

Key

A bandA

STATE TREND

no changeA band

B band

A

B

no change

general improvement

–

B band

C band

B

C

general improvement

some improvementC band

D band

C

D

some improvement

mixedD band

<MAS (D+C)

D mixed

some deterioration<MAS MAS (D C)

No dataND

some deterioration

general deteriorationg

E. coli: state and trends for swimmingg

FMU Location State Trends

Upper WaikatoMain stem

Tribs or or

AB DA –

Middle WaikatoMain stem

Tribs <MAS

B ––Tribs

WaipaMain stem

Tribs

<MAS

MAS

–Tribs

Lower WaikatoMain stem

<MAS

<MAS

–

Tribs

Shallow Lakes N/A No dataND

–<MAS

Nitrogen (TN): state and trends


Upper Waikato Main stem or A B

Middle Waikato Main stem C

Lower Waikato Main stem C

Shallow Lakes N/A or C D

TLG recommends TN attribute for lakes and Waikato River main stem but not Waipa River or tributariesbut not Waipa River or tributaries

Phosphorus (TP): state and trends


Upper Waikato Main stem or orA B C

Middle Waikato Main stem

Lower Waikato Main stem

C

DLower Waikato Main stem

1 11 D

D

AShallow Lakes N/A 1

2

4

CB ND

TLG recommends TP attribute for lakes and Waikato River main stem but not Waipa River or tributaries

Clarity: state and trendsyFMU Location State Trends

Upper WaikatoMain stem

Tribs B D –orA B Cor

C1 10 4

Middle WaikatoMain stem

Tribs

––

CDC1 7Tribs

WaipaMain stem

Tribs

––

DCB DCor or

B DC1 2 8Tribs

Lower WaikatoMain stem

–B DC1 2 8

D –Tribs

Shallow Lakes N/A No dataND

–DC2 12

Upper Waikato FMU: ppissues

N and P affect clarity/swimmability• N and P affect clarity/swimmability(if contributing to algae and weed growth)growth)

• Sediment • may affect clarity/swimmability• contributes to nutrients (carries P)

• E. coli issue in tributaries (not main stem) affects swimmability, ( ) yfood gathering

Upper Waikato FMU: th i flother influences

• Lake Taupō provides major dilution• Impoundments have positive and

adverse effectsadverse effects• allow microbes and sediment to settle• prevent some sediment moving downstreamp g• increase retention time

• Natural geothermal influence to• Natural geothermal influence to be taken into accountC t i t l ti tt ti• Contaminants cumulative, some attenuation but rest passed on to downstream FMUs

Middle Waikato FMU: issues

E coli changes from• E. coli – changes from swimmable to not swimmable in main stem; tributaries notmain stem; tributaries not swimmable

• Clarity is C band – may be a concern for swimmability

• Both sediment and algae contribute to reduced clarity, incontribute to reduced clarity, in roughly equal proportions

Middle Waikato FMU: other influences

Urban/aesthetic effects (seeing discoloured• Urban/aesthetic effects (seeing discoloured discharges into the river)

• Middle of catchment - both receives and passes on contaminants and their effects

• Receives large point source discharges

Lower Waikato FMU: issues

Clarity E coli P and N• Clarity, E. coli, P and N• D or C band for most parameters• Poor clarity - sediment major contributor (60-70%)

Not safe to swim E coli• Not safe to swim – E. coli• Degraded ecosystem health – sediment, P, N

Lower Waikato FMU: other influences

Pest fish• Pest fish• Bed changes/gravel extraction• Collecting contaminants and effects

from upstreamfrom upstream• Lowland lakes inflow also

contributes to algal effect in lowercontributes to algal effect in lower river

• Role of tributaries in flood protection scheme

Waipa FMU:Waipa FMU: issues

Clarity poor in lower Waipa and• Clarity poor in lower Waipa and tributaries due to sediment

• E. coli – generally not safe to swim• N and P – Waipa makes substantialN and P Waipa makes substantial

contribution to nutrients in the lower catchmentlower catchment

• P directly related to sediment

Waipa FMU: other influencesWaipa FMU: other influences

• Tunawaea slip • sediment contribution

• P – where’s it from? • hill country: high sediment, lower P content• flat country: less sediment, higher P content

• Flood events contribute high sediment E colihigh sediment, E. coli

• Improvement in wastewater treatment d t l t di h i tand meat plant discharges in recent years

Monitored shallow lakes FMU: iMonitored shallow lakes FMU: issues

Lowland lakes Peat lakesLowland lakes• Sediment affects clarity

Peat lakes• Nutrients, sediment

(catchment specific)• Algal blooms

• Toxic blooms - 3 of 4 lakes

(catchment-specific)

• E. coli (data deficient)

in D band

• Nutrients - most D band

• Infrequent algal blooms

• Ecological effect of sediment

• E. coli - faecal inputs

• Poor ecosystem health

(smothering, no light for lake plants)

Poor ecosystem health

Lowland lakes: other influencesLowland lakes: other influences

Flat land slow/low flow low flushing long• Flat land – slow/low flow, low flushing – long retention time

• Flood protection scheme – lowered lake level• Pest fishPest fish• Shallow – sediment re-suspended by wind and

pest fish natural geology is soft sedimentspest fish, natural geology is soft sediments• Grazed to edges of lakes in summer

Peat lakes: other influencesPeat lakes: other influences

• Landlocked - groundwater fed g- N through groundwater - leads to algal growthg g

• Peat shrinkage - only some have weirs to keep water level upweirs to keep water level up

• Pest fish• Stock access• Recreational use (stirring up sediment)• Recreational use (stirring up sediment) • Bird impacts e.g. Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton lake)

F db k iFeedback session: Current state, trends and drivers in FMUs,

1 What do you think about1. What do you think about the current water quality i thi t f th t h tin this part of the catchment and why?and why?

2. How does water quality affect h d iwhat you want to do in

or with water?or with water?3. What changes have

?you noticed?

55Modelling andModelling and

researchresearch

Fill key information gapsFill key information gaps

More technical information needed• More technical information needed• Work underway includes:

• groundwater• sources of E. coli and sediment• Mātauranga Māori knowledge networks

• Will help inform economic model and integrated p gassessment framework

Economic modellingEconomic modelling

Will assess costs of achieving proposed limits and• Will assess costs of achieving proposed limits and targets at farm, catchment and regional levels

• Will consider mitigation options (and relative costs) for both point and non-point sources

Integrated assessment frameworkIntegrated assessment framework

Potential impacts of range of targets and policy• Potential impacts of range of targets and policy instruments on social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeingand cultural wellbeing

Scenarios policy options and criteriaScenarios, policy options and criteria

CSG develop range of scenarios

TLG provide implications for each scenario p p(using economic modelling and integrated assessment)

CSG use policy selection criteria to evaluate policy options and test them with public later in 2015options and test them with public later in 2015

F db k iFeedback session: Sector discussion

What’s important to your sector about how we go about developing options?about developing options?

What timeframes would you think are reasonable to achieve the values by?to achieve the values by?

What more could be done for better water quality outcomes?quality outcomes?

How your feedback will be usedHow your feedback will be used

CSG will use it in their work:• CSG will use it in their work: • setting attributes and their states• developing and assessing

options/scenariosoptions/scenarios• choosing limits, targets and policy

methodsmethods• CSG will ask for more feedback later

in 2015 after some scenarios tested

Get involvedGet involved...

Spread the wordSpread the word...

Present this presentation to others• Present this presentation to others• Provide their feedback


CSG’s preferred FMU optionp1 Upper WaikatoHuka Falls to above Karapiro

2 Middle Waikato Karapiro to Ngaruawahia

3 Lower Waikato Ngaruawahia to Port Waikato

4 WaipaW i Ri t h tWaipa River catchment

5 Shallow lakesSelected lowland lakes nested within their local catchment

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ewdocs n3240949 v14 presentation for 2015 lsf

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