Tougher rules loom for storage of effluent

Farmers could soon have new rules to contend with, as Environment Southland moves to plug leaky effluent ponds.

Environment Southland principal planner Rachael Miller said the council was discovering many problems arising from poorly designed, poorly positioned and poorly built effluent ponds and some farmers, keen for extended storage, were taking shortcuts.

Under the proposed regulations, new ponds would be bound by specific compliance regulations for both design and construction, set out in a code of practice, she said.

The construction of new ponds would also need to be supervised by a specialist with the appropriate qualifications.

"Scientific research shows that it is very important to have storage so you can avoid applying effluent when soils are wet, because there is a high chance the effluent will get into waterways or leach through to groundwater," Ms Millar said.

That harmed water quality and wasted valuable nutrients and money, she said.

There was strong support for extended storage but it was critical ponds were watertight.

"We are very aware that farmers do not want to see increased compliance costs, particularly with the reduction in Fonterra's forecast payout."

But it was more cost effective to get things right the first time than have to fix them at a later date, she said.

The changes have already been discussed at a public meeting and at a series of focus meetings with pond designers, contractors and farmers last year, she said.

"We've adapted the original proposals to take account of what they told us," Ms Millar said.

Further comments were still welcomed before the new requirements were formally notified, she said.

Once passed, the draft rule for effluent storage pond construction will be added to the Regional Water Plan, which outlines goals for water management in Southland.

- © Fairfax NZ News