'Thing's are bad': Experts describe 'dismal', 'appaling' state of NZ's freshwater systems | Newshub

Summary

New Zealand's freshwater crisis is alarming, with 45% of rivers unsafe for swimming due to bacterial contamination. Over 68% of monitored groundwater sites failed drinking water standards. Native bird species and migratory fish face threats, with 48% of river networks inaccessible to fish. The situation is worsening, with no improvements since 2011. Wastewater issues, including overflows and failures, add to the crisis. The 2016 Havelock North water contamination led to illnesses and deaths, highlighting the severity. The government acknowledges the intergenerational challenge and is implementing freshwater reforms.

Takeaways

• 🌍 New Zealand's freshwater is facing an environmental emergency with 45% of rivers deemed unsuitable for swimming due to bacterial contamination.
• 🚰 Over 68% of monitored groundwater sites failed drinking water standards at least once.
• 🐦 Approximately two-thirds of native bird species near freshwater are threatened with extinction or at risk.
• 🐟 48% of river networks are partially or fully inaccessible to migratory fish.
• 📉 The health of at least 45% of monitored lakes worsened between 2011 and 2020.
• 🚱 Nearly half of the rivers are considered unswimmable, a statistic that the minister for the environment views as an indictment on the country.
• 💧 There were over 4,200 wastewater overflows, blockages, or failures recorded from 2020 to 2021.
• 📜 The Resource Management Act, which was meant to protect freshwater, was not effectively implemented, leading to unchecked land use change and intensification.
• 🏥 In 2016, a waterborne disease outbreak in Havelock North due to contaminated drinking water affected over 8,000 people, with four deaths and others permanently disabled.
• 🔬 Bacterial contamination and nitrate levels are worsening at 82% and 51% of sites, respectively, with no signs of improvement.
• 🛠️ The Minister for the Environment, David Parker, acknowledges the intergenerational challenge of improving water quality and the need for substantial reforms.

Q & A

What is the current state of New Zealand's fresh water according to experts?

Experts have described the state of New Zealand's fresh water as dismal, appalling, and an environmental emergency.

What percentage of New Zealand's river length is not suitable for swimming due to bacterial contamination?

An estimated 45 percent of New Zealand's total river length is not suitable for swimming due to bacterial contamination.

What is the failure rate of monitored groundwater sites in meeting drinking water standards?

More than 68 percent of monitored groundwater sites failed drinking water standards at least once.

How does the report describe the status of native bird species living around fresh water?

Around two-thirds of native bird species that live around fresh water are either threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened.

What percentage of river networks were found to be partially or fully inaccessible to migratory fish?

48 percent of the river networks were found to be at least partially inaccessible to migratory fish.

How has the health of monitored lakes in New Zealand changed between 2011 and 2020?

The health of at least 45 percent of New Zealand's monitored lakes worsened between 2011 and 2020.

What was the number of wastewater overflows, blockages, or failures recorded from 2020 to 2021?

More than 4,200 overflows, blockages, or failures were recorded for wastewater from 2020 to 2021.

What was the outcome of the drinking water contamination in Havelock North in 2016?

In 2016, the drinking water supply in Havelock North was contaminated, leading to over 8,000 people falling ill, four deaths, and others being left permanently disabled.

Why are the figures in the 2023 report not updated beyond 2020 for most data points?

Most figures in the 2023 report haven't been updated beyond 2020 due to the time leads that exist and the challenges in seeing changes in long-term trends.

How many groundwater sites were used for reporting trends out of the potential thousand sites?

Only 262 groundwater sites were used for reporting trends out of a pool of at least a thousand sites.

What does the Minister for the Environment, David Parker, consider the challenge of improving water quality to be?

The Minister for the Environment, David Parker, considers making substantial improvements to water quality an intergenerational challenge.

What does the report suggest is needed to improve the current state of fresh water in New Zealand?

The report suggests that authorities need to get tough, enforce regulations, and lead the way to improve the current state of fresh water in New Zealand.