National Regulations for water measuring welcomed
Environment Canterbury is welcoming the National Regulations for the measuring and reporting of water takes, which come
into force on November 10.
“The introduction by the Government of the Resource Management (Measuring and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations 2010
will provide significant benefits for the management and efficient use of water in Canterbury ,” said Environment
Canterbury Commissioner David Caygill.
The National Regulations apply to all water consent holders with takes of five litres per second or more. Consents
granted from November 10 are required to comply with the National Regulations immediately and consent holders must
install a water measuring device with continuous measurements, take daily readings, as well as provide annual records to
their regional council.
“The National Regulations will provide critical information to assist Environment Canterbury with the planning,
allocation and management of the region’s groundwater and surface water.”
Existing consent holders have between two and six years to comply with the National Regulations depending on the size of
their take. Large consent holders (takes of 20 litres per second or more) have two years to comply; medium consent
holders (from 10 up to 20 litres per second) have four years; and small consent holders (from 5 up to 10 litres per
second) have six years.
“Measuring water use will also provide consent holders with the information they need to ensure they use water
efficiently and optimise production, comply with resource consent conditions, as well as reducing irrigation and pumping
costs.
“More than 1700, or 23 per cent, or the 7363 wells in Canterbury already have water meters installed.”
For surface water takes around 100, or eight per cent, of the 1352 consented takes have water measuring systems
installed.
“There is still a huge job to do, however, to ensure we have efficient and fit-for-purpose water measuring systems
installed as required by the National Regulations.”
Around 185 water meters per month will need to be installed over the coming two years in Canterbury . This represents
the 3600 existing wells for large consents (water takes of 20 litres per second or greater) and the approximately 35 new
consents which are granted each month.
“In the past there has been a lack of clear advice and industry standards for the installation of water measuring
systems.
“This has changed as a result of the work Environment Canterbury has been doing with Irrigation NZ, industry suppliers
and farmer representatives to establish standards for the installation and verification of water measuring systems.
“There are now 71 companies in Canterbury which have been assessed and are authorised to provide water measuring
services. A full list is available on the Environment Canterbury website,” said David Caygill.
Consent holders should refer to their resource consent/s and review the conditions to determine whether the National
Regulations apply, and if so whether they are in the two-year, four-year, or six-year compliance category.
Consent conditions can be obtained online at:
If consent holders do not have a copy of their consent or do not know their consent number they should call Customer
Services on 03 353-9007 or 0800 324-636.
More information about water measuring services and the implementation of the National Regulations can be found at:
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