Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.4  Water

3.4.6 Flow Regimes

Principal Reasons for Adopting: The availability of sufficient water is crucial for consumptive as well as instream uses, particularly in areas with a water shortage. Often conflicting demands cannot be accommodated without significantly compromising one or another resource user. For example, any major water abstraction, diversion or impoundment will affect the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water body, thereby affecting the integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

Water quantity and availability is primarily affected by the demand for water from a particular source. While some sources within the Region are plentiful, others are limited. Where low flows occur in water bodies, water quality can be degraded affecting in-stream uses, habitats, recreational uses, aesthetic character, supporting ecosystems and other environmental values. Flow regimes are also affected by water storage and control, which influence the velocity and flow of water bodies. Changes in vegetation cover and land use also affect runoff rates and hence water quality.

Ensure the protection of the significant characteristics of flow regimes where they:

1. contribute to significant wild and scenic character; or
   
2. form the basis of significant recreational uses; or
   
3. support significant ecosystems.

1. Through regional plans, and consultation with interested parties, establish water quality classes and identify those areas which have flow regimes which are significant in terms of their wild and scenic character, recreational use and ecosystems.
   
2. Through consultation with territorial authorities, control land use practices which may reduce recharge of water bodies.
   
3. Undertake research, funded in part by resource users, to determine water flow rates and the effects of reduced levels, especially in relation to areas of high use/demand.
   
4. Use economic instruments to mitigate the adverse effects of water takes in situations where it is considered appropriate.

Allow changes to existing flow regimes while avoiding, remedying and mitigating adverse effects on the environment.

1. Through consultation and advocacy with territorial authorities and consent applicants, control land use practices which may reduce the recharge of water bodies.
   
2. Undertake research, funded in part by resource users, to determine water flow rates and the effects of reduced levels, especially in relation to areas of high use/demand.
   
3. Through resource consents, consider methods that may be adopted to remedy and/or mitigate adverse effects of activities on flow regimes, for example riparian management, fish passes and bed stabilisation works.
   
4. Through regional plans, develop equitable water allocation strategies that provide for surface and ground water resources, particularly in areas of high and/or competing demands.

The above policies and methods relate to the taking, use, impounding or diversion of water. The policies ensure that in the taking, use, impounding, or diverting water, the life supporting capacity of water is provided for and instream values are protected and enhanced.

Policy One provides for the protection of flow regimes in all rivers and waterways, or parts of them, of value for their contribution to significant wild and scenic character, the basis of significant recreational uses and support of significant ecosystems. It recognises that there are significant locations where flow regimes must be protected within the Region. The primary means of implementing this policy is through the preparation of regional plans and the control of water use through resource consents under the RMA.

Information on acceptable minimum flow rates and current flow rates is currently lacking in some parts of the Waikato Region and further investigation is required. However, land use practices and water takes do influence flow regimes. For example, land use activities and ground cover clearance can affect the recharge areas for water and lead to changes in water levels. In areas where demand exceeds the recharge ability, water takes have the potential to deplete the resource (e.g. for horticultural irrigation, settlement water supplies and industrial use supplies).

Policy Two provides for modification to the flow regime in rivers and waterways to provide for the needs of water users, provided that any changes to the flow regime do not result in adverse effects on the environment, and where they do, the effects are avoided, remedied or mitigated. The policy recognises that high levels of protection in some rivers will inevitably lead to increased pressures for use on others. Therefore, the policy permits modifications to meet the needs of other water users.

The methods of implementation for Policy Two are also primarily through the development of regional plans and through the processing of resource consents. Other methods include advocacy, consultation, encouragement and education. Method 4 of Policy Two, promotes the development of water allocation strategies. These strategies will provide information for managing both surface and ground water flows. The purpose of the strategies will be to ensure that flow regimes are managed to meet the objectives set out in this document, and to ensure that the water, which is available for out of stream uses, is equitably allocated and efficiently used.

Ground water is intrinsically linked to the water cycle, as any activity in one part has an effect on other parts. For example extensive use of ground water resources may reduce the flow of surface waters and cause degraded water quality and loss of stream habitat. If water takes exceed the recharge ability, mining of the ground water resource occurs. Due to seasonal as well as longer term fluctuations in water levels, such effects can be considerably delayed. Land use can also reduce the amount of water in an aquifer. For example, the sealing of large areas for subdivisions and other urban developments reduce the area available for ground water recharge.

Environmental Results Anticipated

1. No water bodies drying up.
   
2. Instream uses, aquatic habitat values and water quality maintained.
   
3. No salt water contamination of coastal ground water aquifers.

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