Industries join waterway pollution debate

Debate over how much pollution should end up in central North Island waterways will involve some of the country's biggest industries in the next five weeks.

Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Genesis, Mighty River Power and Fish and Game, as well as several councils, will present submissions to Horizons Regional Council as part of its "One Plan" hearings.

One Plan is an all-encompassing regional scheme for the Manawatu-Whanganui region to guide the management of all natural resources.

The management of water is being debated after the publication of research by the Cawthron Institute last year, which said the Manawatu River was one of the most polluted in the Western world.

Horizons One Plan manager Helen Marr said the "worst in the Western world" label was disputed, as tests at different parts of the river revealed less pollution. But all parties involved in the One Plan process were agreed that water quality in the area was poor and a solution was needed, she said.

In the past, Horizons had focused on pollution being discharged directly into waterways and less on elements such as nitrogen from farms seeping into waterways through soil.

Scientists from throughout the country had presented evidence on the state of the region's waterways, which generally supported tougher regulations to reduce nutrient, sediment and bacteria levels, she said.

Gordon McKellar, Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei president, said that would mean more intense monitoring of farms and potential reductions in stocking levels if nutrient levels in soil were judged too high.

The organisation would argue that strict regulations were not needed and would ultimately be a waste of money.

"Farmers are looking at compliance costs of around $10,000 just to pay for the bureaucrats and consultants who would monitor nitrogen levels in their soil with computer modelling," he said.

"Rather than spending tens of millions on that, why not spend a few million on working with farmers to teach better practices ... then if farmers don't comply, you can introduce regulations."

Palmerston North City Council water and waste services manager Chris Pepper said the council would also question the best way to spend money. It would cost the council an estimated $20 million to $30m to reduce nitrogen in its soil or $60m to discharge all its nitrogen to land instead of water, he said.

"But instead of focusing on our area [of the Manawatu] it might be better helping farmers elsewhere reduce their nitrogen and take a more collaborative approach to the problem."

The hearing continues today.

- © Fairfax NZ News