89% of Southland rivers of poor quality: urgent action needed

A report on Southland's water quality released today confirms regional councils have been unable to protect our waterways, reinforcing the urgent need for national standards for clean water, the Green Party said today.

"According to Environment Southland's Water Quality Index, 89 percent of river and stream sites are either of poor or very poor quality, which highlights the need for stronger rules to protect our waterways," said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

The Water Quality Index was included in the release today of sections of Environment Southland's State of the Environment Report.

"Poor water quality in Southland highlights a nationwide problem," Dr Norman said.

"This report shows that the councils have not been able to stand up to polluters, and we desperately need national standards for clean water."

"Scientists have shown that water quality decline in Southland and across New Zealand has been linked to the intensification of pastoral farming and the conversion of drystock farmland to dairy farming.

"Environment Southland's CEO, Ciaran Keogh, was recently reported as saying that the region cannot cope with the effects from more intensive farming, yet the dairy industry has identified Southland as an area for growth in production.

"If history is our guide, without national standards, Environment Southland is unlikely to be able to protect our rivers and lakes from the effects of dairy expansion."

Dr Norman said that implementing standards for clean water was part of the Green Party's plan to clean up New Zealand's rivers and lakes. The plan also includes a fair charge for irrigation water and financial support for water clean-up initiatives.

"The declining quality of our rivers and streams in Southland and across New Zealand is jeopardising our clean, green image on which the health of our economy depends. It's time to clean them up," said Dr Norman.

"Looking after our natural environment, including our rivers and lakes, is the best thing we can do to build a stronger economy that in turn looks after all our people."