History
The way in which we use, manage and sustain our water for future generations is of paramount importance in light of environmental, economic and population changes. With the increasing demand for water in Canterbury there has been increasing conflict over the allocation of water for abstraction and for the maintenance or improvement of instream values. In addition, there is concern that ad hoc decisions by one group might foreclose on protection or development options that provide greater benefits to the wider community.
Recognition of this situation led to the undertaking of an initial study by Environment Canterbury, MAF and Ministry for the Environment (2002) to provide fundamental information on:
- The potential long-term requirement for water;
- The capacity of the region to meet these requirements;
- The water resources that would come under the most stress;
- The reliability, over the long term, of water supplied from natural systems for abstractive uses.
The scope of the study was limited to water quantity issues.
The work undertaken to date has been divided into four distinct stages.
Stage One
The first stage of the study, published in 2002, involved an evaluation of the current and likely future water supply and demand throughout the region. Stage 1 was undertaken by Lincoln Environmental.
This stage concluded that, on an annual basis, there is enough water in Canterbury to meet likely future demand - but some catchments are ‘water short’ and peak demands could not be met on a weekly basis.
Click here for Stage One Reports »
Stage Two
The second stage of the programme began in 2004 and identified potential water storage options in Canterbury and their hydrological feasibility, including the area they could irrigate and their impacts on river flows.
Click here for Stage Two Reports »
Stage Three
The third stage of the study began in early 2006. It involved a preliminary evaluation by a multi-stakeholder group of the environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of the water storage options identified in Stage 2.
Click here for Stage Three Reports »
Stage Four
The fourth stage of the study included a programme of extensive public and stakeholder consultation. During early 2009 this consultation was expanded to include a much larger cross section of the Canterbury community with a public consultation document presenting four possible options for water management. Public feedback from this consultation in conjunction with the technical studies formed the basis for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) Strategic Framework released in November 2009.
Click here for Stage Four Reports »