Freshwater Planning

Freshwater is a precious resource. In New Zealand many freshwater bodies are degraded due to algal blooms, pollution by chemical and nutrient (Nitrogen, E. coli and Phosphorus are key ones related to agriculture) and issues related to high volumes of excess sediment washing into streams, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Clean and healthy waterways provide us with drinking water, recreation such as swimming and fishing and the production of food. Unless water is captured and treated (either in natural wetlands, or manmade interventions) the sediment and pollutants in Freshwater will flow out to the sea, and so activities on land negatively impact the sea environment as well.