Rural ’s water update

Summer 2017

The /Mata-au at Alexandra Clutha River/Mata-au: from mountains to sea Meandering to the ocean from its start deep in the alps, the mighty Clutha River/ Mata-au has shaped our region for centuries. We want you to tell us why you love this iconic Otago river so we can protect and manage it for future generations.

Whether its calmness reflects the as an individual, and also to our are following the Clutha River/ stunning surroundings or its raging communities and region. Mata-au from its pristine lakes to torrent expresses its strength, the the Pacific Ocean to learn what Values differ from person to Clutha River/Mata-au demands you value about the river and what person. Because of this, hearing attention. it means to you and your family, to and understanding what the your business, and to your future. This celebrated river has drawn us Clutha River/Mata-au means to in, captivating us so much we’ve people allows us to protect it We want to ensure the amount of built communities along its banks so our grandchildren and their water in the Clutha River/Mata-au and lake edges. grandchildren can continue to is maintained into the future so enjoy the river and all it has to we can continue to provide for We use it for fun and relaxation, offer. the environmental, cultural, social, exercise, and creative inspiration. It and economic needs of our supports industry and businesses What is it that grabs you? Is it the communities and the wider region. through providing water for crops stunning beauty of its weather- and electricity. It also supports life matching moods? The recreational Take a journey with us and the because we draw drinking water options it provides? How about Clutha River/Mata-au. for humans and animals. This the sustenance for your crops or majestic river also brings people to animals, or the electricity it gives Otago. us? Or perhaps it’s the cultural Check out our website at www.orc.govt. history and spiritual connections nz/clutha to be inspired by our video, and The Clutha River/Mata-au is much- that link you to this beautiful river? give online feedback about what you hold loved, and we want you to take important about the Clutha River/Mata-au. the time to step back and reflect Starting last month and continuing Got questions? Contact us on 0800 474 0827 or email [email protected] on what this river means to you throughout December, ORC staff Hejlea dairy farm wins water quality award One of the reasons Ben and Tanya Davie entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards was to show that dairy farming doesn’t deserve a bad reputation.

It paid off when they won the It was a good opportunity to property forward for a case study Otago Regional Council Quality get free advice from a range of that the group is initiating around Water Management Award earlier professionals. the effectiveness of wetlands and this year. sediment traps. “Winning the award was Ben and Tanya entered the unexpected but we’re proud we They look after the water by awards at the last minute after won it, especially because we’re applying nitrogen little and often some encouragement from their dairy farmers and many people to ensure it is taken up. This not bank, and saw it as a good way to blame dairy farmers for poor water only stops it ending up in the benchmark their dairy operation. quality,” he said. , but also means they are not wasting money. The short notice meant they didn’t The farm borders the Pomahaka Ben applies the fertiliser himself have time to modify their operation River, with tributaries and tile so he can manage the rate and for the judging, so it was a very drains that run into the river. Ben placement of application closely. authentic entry that showcased and Tanya often ask themselves if their everyday farming procedures they are doing their bit to look after Ben and Tanya have a good at Hejlea Dairy Farm in Clydevale. the water. relationship with farm owners Raymond and Claire, and love “In a way it was good we didn’t “I used to swim in the creek as a discussing development with have time to change anything. kid,” Ben said, “but I’m not sure them. We’re passionate about what we I would let my kids swim in it. do so we were able to present Maybe at certain times of the year, “Often sharemilkers don’t have a how we normally manage the but we want the kids to be able real connection with a place, but business,” Ben said. to swim in it all the time without we feel a responsibility to look after worrying.” it,” Ben said. “The feedback from the awards was great because it gave us As members of the Pomahaka He and Tanya appreciate the useful information we could use. Water Care Group, they regularly quality of the infrastructure, and test their water and have put the operate a stop/go notification

2 system in the dairy shed so everyone knows when conditions are suitable for irrigation, given soil moisture and weather.

Since moving to the farm six years ago they have increased the production without increasing stock numbers, and are also fine- tuning having lighter animals that don’t have the same impact on the What’s in a stream? land as heavier ones. If you get a knock on your door over summer or Ben and Tanya love the farming life autumn, it could be from someone wanting access to and feel it’s a good place to raise a stream or river on your property. their four children. Off farm they The Fish & Flow portal on our website has considerable information compete at South Island horse about what lives in Otago’s waterways, but there are some gaps in shows, and the silverware and our data. Almost 80 sites where water is taken from have little or no ribbons in their home shows how information about the fauna in the river. successful they are. Thankfully the show season fits nicely around the This information is needed as part of dairy calendar. preparing a consent application to renew a water permit to take water from a stream or They found entering the Ballance river. Farm Environment Awards nerve- wracking because they had to ORC is hiring fish experts to survey the sites present themselves when they’d where information is lacking so we can fill the prefer to stay in the crowd, but gaps in our portal. they’re pleased they took the Many of these sites must be accessed through private land, so if plunge. you are approached by a fish survey person working for ORC over Entries for the 2018 Ballance Farm the next four to six months, please give them access. You will be Environment Awards have now able to use the information they gain when renewing your water closed. ORC is on the judging permit. panel and can’t wait to see the Thanks for your cooperation. awesome initiatives people are taking to make sure we have Good Water in Otago.

3 What’s up in the Waiwera? We recently put together a report that looks at water quality in the Waiwera River. Sadly, it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

The river details: What we found: high for rivers and streams in Otago. • The Waiwera River flows in a • Water in the Waiwera northerly direction. catchment shows high • The level of nutrients is high concentrations of nutrients enough to cause prolific algae • It starts in the Wisp Range and bacteria that generally growth. and feeds into the Clutha exceed the environmental River/Mata-au, downstream of • There have been dramatic limits in the Water Plan. Clydevale in South Otago. reductions in the number and • Of the 13 monitoring sites in diversity of macroinvertebrate • The river is fed by rainfall of the catchment, ten exceeded and fish populations, up to 1400mm per annum the limits for bacteria and particularly in the mainstem in the Kaihiku Ranges, six exceeded the limits for of the Waiwera River. An while the lower catchment turbidity (how cloudy the water accumulation of fine sediment receives lower levels of rainfall is). These results are unusually is the most likely cause. (<700mm per annum).

4 Waiwera at Hillfoot Rd

The land details: seasonal variation in nitrogen Can anything be done Most farming in the lower Waiwera in both the upper and lower to turn it around? catchment. This indicates catchment takes place on poorly We hope so! We all want Good indirect losses of nutrients drained soils, and is only viable Water in Otago, so have a look at associated with farming thanks to artificial drainage your farming practices and see if activities, such as applying networks (tile drains). These you can make any changes. drains convey water to the nearest effluent during the summer- Here’s some tips to get you waterway. autumn period, followed by leaching of nitrogen during started: Do we know what’s the subsequent winter-spring • Don’t irrigate over tile drains causing the problems in drainage period. the catchment? • Fence waterways to keep • The Clinton oxidation pond stock out, cattle in particular • There is a significant amount discharge to the Kuriwao of sediment entering the Stream, downstream of • Use reticulated stock water tributaries of the Waiwera. Clinton, is responsible • Plant the riparian margins This is most likely caused by for the sharp increase in stock using tributaries as a concentrations of nutrients in We held a meeting recently to drinking water source. The the Kuriwao Stream. chat with the community about sediment smothers the habitat these results, and Craig Simpson of invertebrates (fish food), Is there any good news? from NZ Landcare Trust talked causing the declining fishery The concentration of total about good management of the Waiwera and tributaries. phosphorus declined significantly practices and ways farmers can work together to reduce sediment • As in most agricultural between 2006 and 2017. getting into the waterways. For landscapes, there is a While the level is still too high, it’s more information go to: www. good to see it coming down. landcare.org.nz

5 EAST OTAGO Forestry company FIELD DAYS falling for the fish gets a health and safety briefing, and also an induction to outline the environmental risks. It’s part of the daily work plan and I’m proud of how well the guys have taken it on board,” he said. “Rayonier also need credit because they educated us on the environmental aspects of the Glendhu Forest.” Michael says the biggest risk for forestry is sediment in waterways, Michael Wallace, Heavyweight Hire and the company takes daily measures to make sure this Trees themselves don’t doesn’t happen. have much of an impact “We have a map of the water on water quality but if races and creeks, so we can plan We had a fun two days harvesting and replanting how we’ll cross them and make at the East Otago Field aren’t managed well, sure sediment is kept out of them. Days in October. the resulting sediment If needed we put in cut-outs to can cause problems if it divert water, and every day we Alongside the usual enquiries reaches waterways. monitor the tracks to make sure about rates and water quality, there’s no runoff that could reach wallabies were a popular Sediment can kill fish by blocking waterways,” he said. topic. ORC Environmental their gills and filling up their habitat, Staff often have to think outside Monitoring Officer Simon and it can also block light that’s the square to get trees harvested Stevenson answered needed for the algae to grow that without damaging water races or questions and gave insight they feed on. harming the environment. While it into sightings, behaviours and the use of technology in ORC sponsors the Forestry sometimes adds to the production time, Michael says it’s worth it tracking wallabies (he’s also Environmental Management training his dog to track them Excellence award at the Southern because “Once the damage is done it can’t be undone.” but we’ll share that story Wood Council Forestry Awards. another time). Heavyweight Hire, who was the Heavyweight Hire has learned 2017 winner, operates in an area tricks such as cutting tracks under A map showing wallaby of the Glendhu Forest that not water races, and temporarily sightings and killings proved only has numerous waterways piping creeks then laying logs popular and people were to contend with, but also historic over it like a bridge, which allows unpleasantly surprised to see water races and other features them to get other logs out without the numbers of this pest in protected by Heritage New damaging waterways. Otago. Zealand. “We always restore the area once Simon also was keen to Heavyweight Hire director Michael we’ve harvested it. There are rules spread the message that if Wallace is proud of the award, and to follow and it’s not difficult,” you see a wallaby, please said the crew members had big Michael said. report your sightings to us on smiles on their faces when they 0800 474 082 so we can follow The team of 12 was “stoked” found out they had won. it up. to win the award, and while the “We see environmental awareness award has Heavyweight Hire on it, as being like health and safety. Michael said it’s the guys working Every person who enters the forest in Glendhu Forest who earned it.

6 Lake snow (Lindavia Intermedia) Dr Phil Novis, Dr Marc Schallenberg and Dr Adam Uytendaal Love your lake – what’s the verdict on lake snow? Lake snow is a sticky mass that floats in the water and has been found in Lakes , Hawea and Wakatipu, as well as other lakes around .

It causes issues for people using • The lake snow in NZ is • The Ministry of Business, the water because it sticks to genetically identical to lake Innovation and Employment everything and clogs filters. In snow found in a lake in will fund research (5 year short, while it’s harmless, it’s a Washington State, USA programme) nuisance. What we still don’t know: • We will determine the ORC funded research to find out environmental history of 380 • When it arrived (our educated if lake snow (Lindavia Intermedia) lakes in NZ through sediment guess is in the early 2000s) is a recent invader to NZ lakes. coring Dr Phil Novis from Landcare • How we can fix it • We will investigate Research was the scientist who What will happen next? technologies for field-based investigated the lake snow. It was measurement of lake snow an uphill battle at times because We need to find out more about it. so little is known about it both in • We will continue to monitor What does this mean? NZ and globally. our lakes on a monthly basis There is a lot more we need He presented his report at a public • ORC will fund more research to learn about lake snow, and meeting in Wanaka in October, unfortunately there are no quick alongside Dr Adam Uytendaal, a • Core samples will be taken fixes. from lakes affected by lake freshwater scientist at ORC, and What can you do to help? Dr Marc Schallenberg from the snow to see if we can find out University of Otago. when it came to NZ Check, Clean, Dry. Help stop the spread of lake snow and other They did a fabulous job breaking • We will investigate other examples of lake snow in NZ freshwater pests such as didymo down the science so it was and lagarosiphon. understandable. and globally Tell us when you encounter lake The results: • The University of Otago will fund more research (1 year snow. This will help us find out • It’s more than likely lake snow programme) where it has the biggest impact is an invasive species and was on people enjoying the lakes. It’s brought into NZ • Research will be carried as easy as going to www.orc.govt. out into lake snow and fish nz, clicking on the ‘Submit’ button populations on the home page, and then the Citizen Science link.

7 Drilling and installation of the groundwater ORC Environmental Monitoring Officer Malcolm Allan measures monitoring sites/bore holes water flow in the Shag River/Waihemo

The Shag River/Waihemo catchment is special. At 550km2 it’s modest in size by Otago standards, but it’s huge in terms of significance.

History Aquatic life for years that the river interacts strongly with groundwater in The area was settled by early The river provides significant several locations along the river. Maori, with the river mouth yielding spawning habitat for inanga and During low flows the river will important archaeological evidence trout, as well as rare fish like the literally run underground in places. of Kai Tahu lifestyles dating back to Taieri flathead galaxias, koaro the 12th century. The area remains and lamprey. The river produces Water quality culturally significant to Maori. a high diversity of invertebrates in Overall, the river has good water its middle reaches that support 16 Industry quality. However, in the early species of fish and two species of 2000s ORC water testing showed Extractive industries have been freshwater crayfish. up elevated concentrations of prevalent in the Shag/Waihemo Recreation E. coli and nitrogen in the lower valley over time, including coal, reaches. In 2013, thanks to the lime and gold mining. New People use the river for swimming, efforts of local landowners fencing Zealand’s largest gold mine, boating, whitebaiting, and fishing. their waterways and excluding Macraes, is in the headwaters of It’s a popular waterway! stock, E. coli concentrations the catchment, and forestry is also Water flow reduced and the river won a widespread. The river can have very low flows national environmental award for Water from the Shag River/ during the summer months, ‘most improved’ river for E. coli. Waihemo enables a variety of land and in some spots may dry up However nitrogen is still elevated, uses and primary production, completely. It’s Maori name, and this has implications for such as sheep/beef, cropping Waihemo, provides an explanation excess algal growth in the lower and horticulture. There is no dairy for this: Wai = water, hemo = to go reaches and the estuary in farming in the catchment. to ground. Scientists have known particular, where algal blooms

8 Programme monitoring sites

could threaten the sensitive bodies (aquifer, Shag River/ full picture of what’s happening, estuarine environment. Waihemo and estuary). where, and why. In 2014 the Otago Water Plan Data is already being collected by When will we have the results? sought to tackle nitrogen by ORC scientists, who are taking Monitoring began in July-August imposing a nitrogen sensitive water samples in the Shag River/ ORC Environmental Monitoring Officer Malcolm Allan measures 2017 and will continue until August zone on most of the flat land Waihemo and in ground water. water flow in the Shag River/Waihemo 2018, and into 2019 for the estuary surrounding the lower reaches Nitrate concentrations are also study. of the river. Over the Shag River/ continuously monitored at three Waihemo Aquifer there is a sites between Craig Road and OVERSEER budgets will also be permitted nitrogen leaching rate State Highway 1. carried out to understand the of up to 20 kgN/ha/yr. This rate current level of nitrogen loss in the In addition to this, groundwater is modelled using a computer catchment. and river levels are recorded, and programme called OVERSEER. estuary ecological monitoring is Once we have all the data it will be Science projects being carried out between 2017 analysed, and a hydraulic model and 2019. developed that will simulate the ORC has initiated two interrelated interactions of ground water and science investigations to make Radon sampling (for the surface water and the movement sure the nitrogen leaching science brains!) of nitrates between the different threshold is right. One study will A study earlier this year involved systems. This process takes some look at how the ground water Radon sampling. Radon is a time, but we expect the final report and surface water interact, and soluble, colourless, radioactive to be completed around June what influence this has on nutrient gas. It is naturally abundant in 2019. concentrations in the Shag River/ ground water and is also present Waihemo and in the estuary. The community in most rocks and soils. Radon The second study will create a degasses when it enters a river We held a meeting recently to talk baseline level of knowledge about system, so if a high concentration with the community, including the estuary and explore how of Radon is found in surface water, land owners who have kindly changing nutrient levels may affect it can indicate a groundwater allowed us to drill bores on their its health. discharge. The results have helped land to help with the study. We’ll us to determine the places where keep you up to date as the study Ultimately, the combined studies groundwater is discharging to progresses. should show whether the current the Shag River/Waihemo. This nitrogen leaching threshold of information will be combined 20 kgN/ha/yr is appropriate to with other data so we can get a protect the interconnected water

9 ORC environmental officer Tracey Diack

Wetlands play an important role in water quality because they filter sediment and nutrients. They also regulate water levels by soaking up water in wet weather and releasing it slowly in dry conditions. Lisa Gloag joined ORC environmental monitoring officer Tracey Diack on some wetland inspections on the Otago Peninsula.

For those of you who regularly one wrong turn later we made it trying not to fall over, she was read this article you’ll be aware to our first destination, which was safely on solid(ish) ground. that I’m prone to mishap, from a coastal wetland in Hoopers Inlet With her socks mainly dry and not having enough muscle to out the back of the Peninsula. safely inside her gumboots again, push water through a syringe, to With gumboots on and the tide we completed the inspection. thankfully avoiding sea sickness, to out, we wandered off to inspect filling my gumboots with icy water. There are 170 Regionally the wetland. And that’s where it all It was poor Tracey who suffered a Significant Wetlands in Otago, went wrong for Tracey. It’s funny fall from grace this time, but more and Tracey has been tasked with how a section of sand can be hard on that soon. inspecting all of them as part of in one spot (where I was walking), a five-year programme. Some Tracey’s main role at ORC is to and another spot less than half a will be inspected every year and inspect Regionally Significant metre away can suddenly act like others less frequently, depending Wetlands throughout Otago. quicksand. on where they are. It turns out She’s been in this role for a year, I had the best of intentions to that some regionally significant after seven years at ORC in other rescue Tracey after she got stuck, wetlands are even more significant positions including consent admin but was laughing too hard at her than others. and a stint in the data team. demise to be able to help straight The inspections involve Tracey I was given the role of co-pilot away. Several minutes and some making sure all the wetland rules after Tracey mentioned she’s complicated moves later, which are adhered to, such as stock not directionally-challenged, which involved Tracey standing on my causing damage to the wetland, meant she was no better off with feet in her socks while I pulled her and vegetation being natural to the me in the passenger seat. But only gumboots out of the sand while environment. She also makes a

10 A Regionally Significant Wetland on the Otago Peninsula note of the wildlife she observes so she’s not at work she’s planning she can compare the information her next holiday with her husband, between inspections. or curled up on the couch with a good book. She’s also a keen With around 90% of New photographer, which comes in Zealand’s wetlands being cleared handy because her job involves and drained in the last 150 years, taking photos of the wetlands for it’s good to see an increasing the files. number of land owners realising their value and restoring them. Some of her beautiful photography Aside from the water quality is in our new wetlands brochure. benefits they provide, they’re also If you want a copy of this please great for biodiversity by attracting email me at [email protected] and birds, fish and insects. we’ll get one posted to you. Tracey’s physical wetland What makes a wetland regionally inspections often follow a desk- significant? Wetlands with specific top assessment back in the office. values such as a habitat for rare She’s also ventured into the sky or threatened species, a high to inspect them because some of diversity of indigenous flora and the larger ones are best viewed fauna, or valued by Kai Tahu, from above. A few on-ground visits are considered to be regionally came about from this, when stock significant. For a full list of values causing damage to the wetland and to find out if you have one on was observed. your property go to our website at A sticky situation for Tracey www.orc.govt.nz and search for Tracey loves the variety her job ‘regionally significant wetlands’. offers and the mix of desk-based and field-based work that goes with it. It suits her Bachelor of Science in geography nicely. When

11 What’s up at ORC? A new pest plan for Otago We’re writing a new pest plan so we can Protect our Patch. The pest plan will outline what plants and animals will have rules around how they are managed. We held a workshop with key stakeholders at the end of October and sought public feedback during November. Don’t worry if you missed out on this as there will be another chance to have your say when the plan is notified for public submissions around the middle of 2018.

See pollution? Give us a call If you see pollution to air, water or land, please call our pollution hotline on 0800 800 033. Otago covers a large area, so we rely on the public to let us know if they see something that will harm the environment. Please report pollution to us as soon as you see it because it’s hard for us to track the source of the pollution if we can’t get there straight away. Calls will be dealt with in complete confidence. We had 1410 calls to the pollution hotline during the 2015/16 financial year and it’s great to see people taking action to look after our beautiful region.

Happy holidays! On behalf of all the staff at Otago Regional Council, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday. We will be closed between Christmas and New Year, but our pollution hotline will still be operational. We hope you have time off planned to relax, unwind, and enjoy all that beautiful Otago has to offer.

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70 Stafford St Private Bag 1954 Dunedin 9054 Phone 03 474 0827 Freephone 0800 474 082 Pollution Hotline 0800 800 033 www.orc.govt.nz Enquiries: [email protected]