Search all sites near me now
Search your favourite swimming spots

Southland region

Water Quantity

Surface water is important for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of all Southlanders. Surface water is used for a variety of purposes, including domestic and municipal takes, agricultural, industrial, irrigation and forestry operations. The demand for these uses must be balanced against what is required to maintain the ecological wellbeing of waterways and protect in-stream values.

Regional Summary
Water quantity data in this region

Regional councils collect information about how much water is available and manage resource consents for those wishing to take water from rivers or groundwater supplies. Use the buttons below to view regional information on: how much water is available, where it comes from and how its used.

{{illustrationHeading}}

Rainfall {{waterAvailable.rainfall}} Runoff to sea {{waterAvailable.runoff}} Groundwater available: {{waterSource.groundwater}}
{{waterSource.groundwaterPercentAvailable}}% of total available Surface Water available: {{waterSource.surfacewater}}
{{waterSource.surfacewaterPercentAvailable}}% of total available Irrigation
{{waterUsage.irrigationLabel}} Industrial
{{waterUsage.industrialLabel}} Stock
{{waterUsage.stockLabel}} Hydroelectrical
{{waterUsage.hydroLabel}} Town supply
{{waterUsage.drinkingLabel}}
  • How much water is there in this region?

    Rainfall and runoff in this region

    Show Hide

    Rainfall and runoff

    Relative Volume Source Volume
    Rainfall total:
    {{waterAvailable.rainfall }}
         		rainfall Rainfall Total {{waterAvailable.rainfall}}
    Runoff total:
    {{waterAvailable.runoff }}
         		runoff Runoff to sea {{waterAvailable.runoff}}

    The table above shows the average amount of rainfall the region receives each year and how much of that flows out to sea. These are approximate figures only.

  • Water consents: where does water come from?

    The split between surface water and groundwater

    Show Hide

    Consented water by source

    Relative volumes
    Amount available to consent Surface water:
    {{waterSource.surfacewater}}
    available to consent         Groundwater:
    {{waterSource.groundwater}}
    available to consent
    Volume consented Surface water:
    {{surfaceWaterConsented()}}
    volume consented         Groundwater:
    {{groundwaterConsented()}}
    volume consented
    Source Amount available to consent Volume consented Consented as a percentage of available
    surface water ground water {{item.source}} {{item.amountAvailable}} {{item.volumeConsented}} {{item.percentageConsented}}
    {{waterSource.total.source}} {{waterSource.total.amountAvailable}} {{waterSource.total.volumeConsented}} {{waterSource.total.percentageConsented}}

    The table above shows how much water is available to use compared with the amount that is actually consented for use. It also shows how much of this water is surface water and how much is groundwater.

    Groundwater allocation information last updated 5th December 2024.  Southland Regional Council (Environment Southland) uses reasonable endeavours to ensure that the information it provides is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. However, professional or specialist advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action on the basis of this information. Environment Southland does not give any guarantee, undertaking or warranty concerning the accuracy, completeness, or up-to-date nature of the information and, to the extent permitted by law, Environment Southland will not be liable for any loss, liability or costs suffered or incurred as a result of any reliance placed on this information.  Please be aware that Environment Southland may review or update the information that it holds, but is under no obligation to notify you of any change to the information.  If you wish to ensure that any of the information is consistent with the information currently held by Environment Southland, you will need to make an additional request

  • Water consents: How is water used?

    Consents by use in this region

    Show Hide

    Annual consented water use by type

    Overall annual volume for {{waterAvailable.year}}
    Relative breakdown
    Activity Percentage of total consented Total volume Number of consents
    {{item.displayText}} {{item.displayText}} - - No data available {{item.breakdownPercentage}}% {{item.totalVolume}} {{item.numberOfConsents}}
    Total {{waterUsage.total.percentageConsented}}% {{waterUsage.total.totalVolume}} {{waterUsage.total.numberOfConsents}}

    The above table shows the proportion of water consented for irrigation, industrial, stock, town supply and other. It excludes hydro electricity. In this region/management zone {{hydroUsage.totalVolume}}/year is consented for hydro-electricity and makes up {{hydroUsage.percentageConsented}}% of the total water volume consented for this region/management zone

Surface Water Zones
Surface Water zones in the Southland region

Select the water management zone you'd like to see information on by clicking the buttons below or navigate using the map.

Waimatuku Surface Water Zone

1 Site
Waikaia Surface Water Zone

2 Sites
Waiau Surface Water Zone

1 Site
Waihopai Surface Water Zone

1 Site
Lower Oreti Surface Water Zone

4 Sites
Upper Oreti Surface Water Zone

7 Sites
Lower Mataura Surface Water Zone

6 Sites
Mid Mataura Surface Water Zone

7 Sites
Upper Mataura Surface Water Zone

3 Sites
Coastal Longwoods Surface Water Zone

1 Site
Mararoa Surface Water Zone

1 Site
Makarewa Surface Water Zone

5 Sites
Coastal Catlins Surface Water Zone

2 Sites
Aparima Surface Water Zone

11 Sites
Groundwater Zones
Groundwater management zones in the Southland region

Select the groundwater management zone you'd like to see information on by clicking the buttons below or navigate using the map.

Wendonside Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Wendon Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Waimatuku Groundwater Zone

2 Sites
Waihopai Groundwater Zone

3 Sites
Upper Mataura Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Upper Aparima Groundwater Zone

3 Sites
Te Anau Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Riversdale Groundwater Zone

3 Sites
Oreti Groundwater Zone

0 Sites
Makarewa Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Lower Oreti Groundwater Zone

2 Sites
Lower Aparima Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Knapdale Groundwater Zone

0 Sites
Five Rivers Groundwater Zone

5 Sites
Edendale Groundwater Zone

2 Sites
Central Plains Groundwater Zone

1 Site
Cattle Flat Groundwater Zone

0 Sites
Castlerock Groundwater Zone

2 Sites

Latest news and stories

Upcoming events

Environment Southland
Click for more info