Taranaki region

Since 2003 demand for surface water for agriculture increased by 28% in Taranaki, while there has been a 31% decrease in the dairy manufacturing and processing industry. Groundwater use on the other hand has increased almost sevenfold since 2003.

In some places, surface water is nearing full allocation. Council has increased investigations into groundwater resources. Generally, as groundwater yields are not significant in Taranaki, groundwater is considered as an additional source to surface water. It is important to manage the demand carefully to mitigate any impact on spring-fed streams, lakes and rivers; well levels; the flow of seawater into groundwater supplies; and any effects on other users.

Taranaki has four hydro-electric power schemes that have a combined consented take volume of 10,000,000 m³ per day. That is enough to fill 4,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

All of this water comes from surface water sources with the Patea Hydro-Electric Scheme being the largest of the four. It is considered a non-consumptive use as the water is returned to the river. However, there can be localised effects.

A further 587,784 m³ per day , up from 181,898 m³ per day in 2003, is consented to be drawn from the region’s water sources (surface and groundwater) for agriculture, industry and town water supplies. This  is enough to supply the day-to-day needs of over 1.96 million people, irrigate 11,756 hectares of pasture or fill just over 235 Olympic-sized pools.

The Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations 2010 require the accurate measurement and recording of all water takes greater than 5 litres per second. As a result, a large number of industries and  irrigators now provide real-time data to the Council. This helps management of water resources in the region.

The Council's Regional Freshwater Plan is currently under review, to strengthen the framework used to determine allocation limits and manage water usage.