Table 3: Current status of water measurement by region

Northland

606

141

(23%)

Measurement is done in areas of high allocation, including both surface- and groundwater. Measurement requirements are detailed in the regional plan (rule 25.3.1) for groundwater takes. There are no specific rules for surface-water metering, but the standard condition is as per groundwater.

The rule does not require data loggers, nor does it specify a maintenance schedule. The frequency of recording varies depending on the potential effects.

Auckland

1,420

1,420

(100%)

All consented takes require measurement, and the take is monitored. Measuring requirements are detailed in the regional plan for surface-water and groundwater takes (rules 6.5.11−6.5.35). Levels of accuracy and reporting requirements are specified.

Environment Bay of Plenty

1,127

176

(16%)

BOP are moving to the measurement of all water takes. Measurement is required under the Proposed Regional Water and Land Plan in areas where there are significant pressures, small flows or high ecological/cultural values, or where the take is for a municipal supply.

Environment Waikato

787

394

(≈ 50%)

The regional plan requires measurement of all consented takes. Regional Plan − Water Allocation Policy 11 details the requirements of measurement, including levels of accuracy and reporting.

Gisborne District Council

161

161

(100%)

All takes are measured. At the start of the season consent holders fax in a copy of what they are using and must continue to do this every two weeks.

Taranaki Regional Council

186

153

(82%)

Consent conditions require measurement. Many users have data loggers sending information to the council.

Horizons Regional Council

552

130

(23%)

As water management plans come into force, all significant existing users will be required to measure take and be telemetered. The aim is to have 80% of takes telemetered. HRC is requiring flow-meters and telemetry on all significant consents as they come up for replacement, and also on all significant new consents.

Hawkes Bay Regional Council

2,517

354

(14%)

Consented groundwater takes must meet threshold volumes. New consents > 2500m3/week and existing takes > 5,000m3/week, upon replacement are required to measure take.

Surface-water takes require measurement where a river has a defined allocatable volume, where the take is for industrial purposes, or where there is evidence of increasing demand from a surface-water body for which there is insufficient information.

Requirements detailing the level of accuracy are given in the regional plan, along with the timing of implementation.

For existing surface-water takes meeting the above criteria, measuring devices are to be installed upon replacement, or within 3 years of the plan becoming operative, whichever occurs first.

For existing groundwater takes meeting the above criteria, meters are to be installed upon replacement, but with a minimum lead-in time of 3 years from the date the plan becomes operative.

Greater Wellington

677

260

(38%)

Takes greater than 20 L/s are typically measured. Smaller takes are subject to measurement where resource characteristics and demand require it. Details are not provided in the plan.

Marlborough District Council

1,191

800 required

(67%)

Measurement is standard practice now, but many areas were not measured historically. New areas/takes are measured, but not old takes. This is being addressed through consent replacement.

The actual number of measuring devices may be less than that reported.

Nelson City Council

33

Unknown

All urban water users (to individual connections) are metered and charged on a volumetric basis.

Following the operative date of the plan change, measuring devices will be required to be installed for all new and existing consented abstractions, and 3-monthly records are required to be kept by consent holders. Levels of accuracy and reporting requirements are specified.

Tasman District Council

1,319

623

(47%)

All users are measured in high-demand areas. Measurement in all catchments that are moving towards full allocation. Measurement requirements are detailed in the Tasman Resource Management Plan.

West Coast Regional Council

432

The measuring volume of surface-water takes is provided for in the regional plan, but this is under appeal.

The WCRC does not consider measurement of all takes to be necessary in their region as there is very little demand pressure on an abundant regional water resource.

Environment Canterbury

5,872

642

(11%)

All new consents, including replacement consents, require measuring devices of defined accuracy and are required to measure/record the take.

Measuring devices are being included in consent review processes (e.g. Rakaia−Selwyn) and will be required under an operative Natural Resources Regional Plan.

Otago

1,968

984

(≈ 50%)

The requirement for measuring devices is standard, telemetered in some catchments, data logged in others.

Telemetry is working well. The application and accuracy of measurement are reported as being an ongoing issue.

Environment Southland

679

445

(66%)

Take consents are generally measured, but the requirements are largely related to average use rather than daily totals.

The regional plan mentions measurement requirements, but no standards are given.