Bronte Wells
New Zealand's waterways are facing a pollution crisis, with water quality continuing to decline despite efforts to address the issue. The country's rivers are suffering from a range of pollutants, including agricultural runoff, urban waste, and industrial discharges. These pollutants have led to excessive nutrients, reduced water clarity, and bacterial contamination, rendering many rivers unsafe for swimming and harmful to both human and ecological health. The primary source of this pollution is diffuse pollution from intensive land use, particularly pastoral and dairy farming, which has resulted in increased nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the water. With New Zealand's reputation as an unspoiled wilderness at stake, finding a balance between economic growth and environmental protection is crucial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Region with the most polluted waterways | Auckland |
| Percentage of rivers and lakes graded poor for swimming | 62% |
| Percentage of rivers and lakes graded good | 0% |
| Waterways showing improvements across water quality measures | Several |
| Negative impacts of water pollution | Ecological damage, health risks, cultural impacts |
| Key pollutants identified in lowland rivers | Dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved reactive phosphorus, sediment, coliforms |
| Source of water pollution | Sediment from erosion of hills and river banks, intensive dairy farming, urban runoff, industrial discharges |
| Water quality degradation | Excessive nutrients, reduced visual clarity, pollution by faecal bacteria |
| Organisations monitoring water quality | NIWA, NRWQN, Regional councils, LAWA |
| Water quality standards | Published by MfE |
| Factors affecting water quality | Agriculture, urban runoff, industrial waste, freedom camping, human waste |
| Organisations working to improve water quality | Jacinda Ardern's Labour government, Cawthorne Institute, Horizons Regional Council, Environment Canterbury |
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Dairy farming
The expansion of intensive dairy production has resulted in increased nitrogen levels in soil, surface water, and groundwater. Since 1990, the amount of nitrogen applied to the land has increased by 629%, from 62,000 to 452,000 tonnes. This has led to an increase in nitrate pollution in waterways, with dairy cattle numbers reaching 6.7 million in 2014. The type of soil in regions like Canterbury exacerbates the problem, as the gravelly and loose soils allow water to flow through quickly, carrying nitrogen-rich urine into aquifers.
Fencing, stock crossings, and culverts can help mitigate pollution from dairy farming, and riparian planting has been carried out to reduce the amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen, entering the water. However, environmental groups are calling for stricter limits on nitrate pollution, as the current limit of 1 mg/L is considered too high to protect ecosystem health.
The dairy industry's pollution of rivers and groundwater has contaminated drinking water sources, with hundreds of thousands of rural people relying on private bores for drinking water that is now contaminated with nitrates. This has led to increased risks of bowel cancer and other health issues. The previous government introduced national freshwater regulations in response to public pressure, but the current government has rolled back some of these protections.
The pollution of New Zealand's rivers by the dairy industry has also had cultural impacts on indigenous Māori communities, affecting their cultural practices and traditional uses of water bodies, and impacting their cultural identity and wellbeing.
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Industrial waste
The Whakatane Sawmill is another notable example, having dumped contaminated sawdust, bark, scrap timber, and chemicals around the Whakatane and Rangitaiki Plains, including the Kopeopeo Canal, which earned the title of New Zealand's most polluted waterway. The contamination was caused by the use of PCP, a wood preservative laced with dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDFs), leading to dioxin-contaminated sediment. While remediation efforts on the canal received international recognition in 2019, the incident underscores the enduring impact of industrial waste on New Zealand's waterways.
The Hutt Valley's Waiwhetū Stream, which ironically translates to 'star-reflecting water', endured industrial waste pollution for over a century, making it the most polluted stream in the Wellington region. Toxic heavy metals were among the contaminants found in the stream. A $6.4 million decontamination and improvement programme was finally initiated in 2008, funded by the Hutt City Council, the Ministry for the Environment, and the Greater Wellington Regional Council. The clean-up effort included replanting the stream banks with native vegetation.
While industrial waste has historically played a significant role in polluting New Zealand's rivers, it is important to acknowledge that other factors, such as agricultural practices and urban runoff, also contribute to the problem. The expansion of intensive dairy production has led to increased nitrogen levels in soil and water bodies. Additionally, urban stormwater drains often collect pollutants like detergents, waste oil, litter, and faecal matter, which eventually find their way into rivers and other water bodies.
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Urban runoff
The impact of urban runoff on water quality is particularly harmful due to the short-term elevated levels of toxicants and their long-term accumulation in sediments. This accumulation can lead to ecological damage, reduced biodiversity, disruption of food chains, and health risks for humans and animals. For example, toxic cyanobacteria, which have increased in New Zealand's waterways over the last decade, can be deadly to dogs and harmful to humans.
To address the issue of urban runoff, there is a push for the development of national rainfall and runoff guidelines. This initiative is supported by various groups within the 3 waters sector, including Engineering NZ/Water NZ Rivers Group and Water NZ Modelling and Stormwater Special Interest Groups. The aim is to improve decision-making regarding water quality enhancement and water quantity pressure relief through allocation policies.
Additionally, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is working to make its model user-friendly and accessible to local authorities, road builders, and other stakeholders interested in waterway health. This model can be a valuable tool for assessing and mitigating the risks associated with road runoff, helping to target areas that require improved stormwater management and treatment.
Overall, urban runoff is a complex issue that requires collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to protect and restore the health of New Zealand's precious waterways.
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Fertiliser use
Fertilisers are essential for viable food production in New Zealand, especially in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. However, their overuse and misuse have contributed significantly to the pollution of New Zealand's rivers. The intensive use of synthetic fertilisers, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus-based variants, has led to excessive nutrients in the water, reducing visual clarity and fostering the growth of toxic cyanobacteria and algal blooms.
Nitrogen fertiliser is the most commonly used variant in New Zealand, with urea being the dominant form. Urea-based fertilisers also result in direct CO2 emissions. Nitrogen levels in waterways have been linked to urea use and the intensification of dairy farm systems. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research concluded in 1993 that lowland rivers in agriculturally developed areas were in poor condition due to "agriculturally derived diffuse and point source waste inputs."
Phosphorus is another key plant nutrient found in superphosphate fertilisers. While phosphorus use has declined since its peak from 2003 to 2005 due to economic pressures and price increases, it still plays a significant role in water pollution. Phosphate fertiliser was first imported to New Zealand in 1867, with the country marking the 75th anniversary of the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand in 2023.
To address the environmental impact of fertiliser use, New Zealand has implemented several initiatives. The Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP) aims to ensure that advisors provide sound nutrient advice to farmers on the responsible and scientifically based use of fertilisers. As of September 2022, 231 advisors were certified under NMACP, which is financially supported by the Fertiliser Association, Beef + Lamb NZ, and Dairy NZ. Additionally, the Fertiliser Association invests in research and tools to minimise nutrient losses and promote environmentally accountable production methods.
While these efforts are underway, the intensive use of fertilisers, particularly in dairy farming, continues to be a significant contributor to the pollution of New Zealand's rivers. The conflict between the country's valuable dairy industry and its reputation for pristine natural environments remains a challenge in addressing this issue effectively.
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Stormwater pollution
The impact of stormwater pollution is exacerbated by the increase in paved surfaces in urban areas. This means that water contaminated with organic matter is not adequately filtered through soils and instead flows directly into stormwater drains. High-intensity storms and heavy rainfall events further contribute to the problem by increasing the amount of sediment-laden water that flows into rivers and streams.
Sediment from erosion, a result of these intense storms and heavy rainfall, is another significant source of stormwater pollution. The sediment carries high levels of organic content from forest litter, altering sedimentation patterns and increasing deposition in lakes and coastal waters. This has led to millions of tonnes of sediment accumulation in New Zealand's fluvial systems.
Additionally, stormwater management practices have been identified as a major cause of water pollution in New Zealand. Inadequate management can result in the overflow of contaminated water into natural water bodies, further degrading their quality. The use of synthetic fertilisers and intensive farming practices also contribute to stormwater pollution, as they increase the levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the water.
To address stormwater pollution, regional councils are responsible for implementing measures outlined in the Resource Management Act. This includes the use of straw bales and stormwater settling ponds to control sediment runoff during heavy rainfall events. However, these measures may not always be sufficient, and there is a need for continuous improvement in stormwater management practices to protect New Zealand's precious waterways.
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Frequently asked questions
NZ rivers are polluted by a variety of factors, including agricultural and urban runoff, industrial waste, and intensive farming practices.
River pollution in NZ has several negative consequences, including ecological damage, reduced biodiversity, and health risks associated with contaminated water sources.
The NZ government has implemented initiatives such as the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and the Three Waters reforms to improve water quality and reduce pollution. However, there is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these measures.
Agricultural pollution in NZ rivers primarily comes from dairy farming and the use of synthetic fertilizers, intensification of farming practices, and poor land management.
