A
new scientific report commissioned by Environment Canterbury
and the Department of Conservation (DOC) provides further
support for the efforts of rūnanga, public agencies and
farmers to address declining water quality in the Ashburton
high-country lakes/Ō Tū Wharekai.
The report
(PDF File, 2.27MB) was commissioned to provide
information on the nutrient reductions required to achieve
water quality targets set by the community in the Land
and Water Regional Plan (LWRP). The conclusions from the
Cawthron Institute found that significant reductions in
nutrient loads will be required to preserve water quality in
the high-country lakes studied.
The lakes are
sensitive to nutrient inputs from several sources, including