Category: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Once the willows were dealt with, the focus switched to planting.

So far, approximately 3,000 plants have been put into the ground. Children from Cheviot Area School have been heavily involved in this mahi, setting the scene for increased school participation in future.

Local freshwater ecologist John Preece has overseen the planting strategy – which was to establish pioneer species.

“We’ve put special emphasis on shelter plantings to reduce the impact of wind and sun on the northwest edge of the reserve. Kohuhu and manuka dominate most of the site but we’ve also introduced cabbage tree, mingimingi, karamu, lowland ribbonwood, lacebark, flax and toe toe.”

Laying down roots – literally

Catherine says getting youngsters involved is crucial to the longevity of the project.

“This is a small town, and most of the young people will leave at some point. But planting trees gives them a connection to the area, and they just love it – it’s cute to watch! 

“We had a really good turnout to the last working bee, and that was due to kids going home and telling their parents about it, and so you end up with entire families coming along. We ran out of places to plant!”

John says input from the Wai Connection – Tatai Ki Te Wai, provides another layer of expertise. The initiative is co-funded through the Government’s Essential Freshwater Fund and is designed to provide additional resources to community catchment groups.

“The Wai Connection brings particular skills around things like mapping and modelling capabilities – and longer-term education of youngsters that goes beyond planting. Their support will help with the ‘generational change’ that we’re trying to achieve.”

Playing the long game

It’s anticipated that most of the planting work will be completed by autumn next year. Fewer than 1,000 plants are needed to finish off at the downstream end of the reserve and on the eastern side of the stream.

Catherine says the project has transformed the reserve.

“It’s turning into a community hub. There’s even a community garden that’s been put in, and a farmer has donated a gate. It’s something the town can be really proud of.“

The catchment group’s eventual aim is to create a biodiversity corridor from the mountains to the sea and create a filtration wetland area between the oxidation ponds and the Jed River.

“As you get older, you think more about your impact and what you’re going to leave behind,” says Catherine.

“I want to help leave this area better than it was, restoring it to a more natural space, and eventually improving the water quality.”

Find out more about the project

Volunteers make all the difference

This was the third planting day hosted in the Waimakariri River Regional Park this year. Our Parks and Forests team generally supports around twelve planting days each year. The cooler months of the year provide optimum soil moisture which allows the seedlings to develop roots, intake nutrients, and thrive better than they would if they were planted in drier summer soil.

Jolie Sarginson, co-chair of the Youth Rōpū, said the members love to volunteer during the weekends. She was especially pleased to see one of their newer and younger members Zoe leading the day.

“Our favourite thing about planting days is being able to see a direct impact on the environment, whereas a lot of our other work can take much longer to see change.”

Councillor Davies values the benefit it brings to his role representing the region. “It’s an opportunity to meet community members and get a better understanding of our natural landscapes.”

Learn more about upcoming planting events and sign up now.

Empowering young people

Our Youth Rōpū is a group of people aged 14-24 who are enthusiastic about the environment, civics, and empowering young people across Waitaha/Canterbury. Made up of up to 20 members, it was formed to facilitate a two-way relationship between young people and decision-makers at our council. This gives our rangatahi an opportunity to promote the issues they care about.

Failing to ensure your septic tank is maintained could put your family’s health at risk.

It’s estimated there are about 34,000 onsite wastewater systems, often called septic tanks, across Canterbury. It’s a relatively high number when you consider Auckland, with nearly three times the population, has an estimated 46,000. 

The most common system for single households in Canterbury is a primary treatment tank and land application system (i.e. a bolder pit or trench), but there are also some newer secondary treatment systems. 

If these systems aren’t looked after properly there could be serious consequences. Faulty systems can contaminate the land on your property or even the drinking water supplies of your whole community. 

Is your onsite wastewater making you sick?

When it comes to health risks from onsite wastewater, prevention is key.

Resource Management Technical Lead Jessica Newlands warns that problems often begin when people don’t maintain their systems and the tank or gully trap overflows, causing ponding of wastewater on the land surface.

“There’s a heightened risk in areas where the ground has had ‘human interference’ such as landscaping, vehicle movements or the installation of children’s equipment.”  

Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Senior Groundwater Scientist Bronwyn Humphries agrees, pointing to anecdotal evidence linking seepage with children’s play areas.

“Kids might just assume it’s a muddy puddle, and not bother to tell their parents.

“There was a case in Canterbury where children had sustained gastro for two years before the family finally figured out the kids were playing in a waste disposal field near their playground. It can take people a long time to realise something is wrong.”

Onsite wastewater can also enter groundwater, from which much of Canterbury’s drinking water is sourced. Weather can exacerbate the issue; prolonged dry periods followed by heavy rainfall events can cause wastewater to rapidly infiltrate groundwater, significantly increasing the risk of contamination. 

Sucking out the sludge

In a bid to understand some of the key issues around onsite wastewater, ESR reached out to a sludge removal company and asked them to log their jobs for a week.

The predominant problem was people not routinely getting the sludge sucked out every three years, as recommended. Instead, some were waiting up to ten years to get it done. Jessica says this ‘flush and forget’ mentality is concerning. 

“For every year that you don’t look after your tank, you’re increasing the risk that something will go wrong.”

She also urges people to do their research when purchasing a property with an onsite wastewater system. 

“Often when a rural property changes hands, the new owners have no idea what sort of system they’re getting, where it is located, or when it was last serviced. Real estate agents and lawyers are not legally required to disclose the type of system and the service history, so the impetus is on the property owner to find out all they can about the tank – including whether a resource consent has lapsed.” 

Spotting the signs

Signs of potential problems could include water presenting at the surface and offensive odours – often a strong ammonia or sewage-type smell.

Throwing bleach or antimicrobial cleaning products down your toilet is a big no-no, as it kills off the ‘good’ microbes that help to break down the sludge. Jessica says you should only flush the three P’s: Pee, Poo and Paper.

“Other items can cause blockages and added maintenance costs. Wet wipes and sanitary items should be put in the rubbish.”

Bronwyn recommends carrying out a ‘stress test’ to check whether your tank and land discharge are coping.

This involves running an inside tap for an hour or two, to simulate the household’s daily water use.

“Ideally, you’d want to do it in summer, during dry conditions. This makes any surface ponding easy to spot.” 

Maintenance is key

Regardless of whether your onsite wastewater system is new or old, keeping it well maintained will help ensure any problems are caught early.

As Bronwyn points out, it all comes down to the property owner’s care and knowledge.

“You don’t want your family to get sick, nor do you want to be the cause of a community contamination event, such as if wastewater from your property contaminates a downgradient drinking water well. You also don’t want your system to fail to the point where a complete renewal is required, which may cost between $30,000-$40,000.

“Enteric (occurring in the intestines) illnesses stemming from drinking water supplies that are contaminated by wastewater can include norovirus, which may leave you unwell for several weeks. Longer illnesses are also possible, due to pathogenic organisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

“The cost to people’s health and your bank account could be very significant if things go wrong. I’d encourage anyone who’s been putting off their tank maintenance to act now.” 

Key tips for managing wastewater

• Newer, secondary treatment systems require regular inspection and maintenance at least every 12 months, including sludge removal every three years. Older, primary treatment systems (septic tanks) – while not requiring an inspection – still need to have sludge pumped out around once every three years.
• Support the microbial community living in your onsite wastewater system by using low-phosphorous soaps and detergents. Be sure not to flush solids such as wet wipes, or aggressive chemicals such as caustic soda. Water NZ has more information on what you can and cannot flush, and other advice for taking care of your onsite wastewater system.
• Try and space out water use to avoid overloading the system – for example not running your washing machine and dishwasher at the same time.
• If you notice an issue – like a sewage overflow, murky or smelly puddles around your treatment system, or even a broken tank lid – you should get your system inspected immediately by a suitably qualified technician.
• Before purchasing property with an onsite wastewater management system, check with a lawyer or estate agent whether the system is consented, and how it’s been maintained.

Read our

guidance about wastewater, how it is treated and your responsibilities.

Modelling looks at future climate

Scientific mapping we’ve commissioned, incorporating research from Dr Graeme Bourdȏt’s team at AgResearch, shows that 60 years from now, far more land will be climatically suitable for both Chilean needle grass and nassella tussock.

This modelling suggests that by 2080, climatically suitable habitat for Chilean needle grass could increase by 60 per cent nationally – with the bulk of that rise in Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury.

Simply put, there’ll be more opportunity for these pests to invade land.

The extent of that invasion will largely depend on human activity. How the land is managed will heavily influence a weed’s ability to take hold in that environment.

That’s why this type of modelling is important – it allows farmers and biosecurity officers to know where to focus preventive measures, such as putting surveillance programmes in place.

Preventing pest plants on rural properties

Sensible grazing management

Pest plants like nassella tussock and Chilean needle grass favour overgrazed, dry pastures. If land is overgrazed and then hit by drought, the seeds of these species, and of many other weeds, have a much greater chance of establishing new plants that facilitate local spread. Sensible grazing management helps keep weed pests at bay.

Minimise seed dispersal

Wider spread depends on the dispersal of seeds and other propagules and can occur in many ways. For example, seeds can be carried on machinery, on animals, in river gravel aggregate, with crop seeds, in flood water, and by people.   

Preventative farm biosecurity practices include:

• cleaning all vehicles before entry and after exit and cleaning clothing, boots, machinery, and other equipment after each use (chemicals may be required).
• check stock or hay before bringing it onto your property, including knowing where it came from and what the likelihood of pest-spread is.
• Educate contractors on good farm biosecurity practices.

Contact us for pest advice

The team will put you in touch with someone who can provide advice and/or work with you to take measures to stop the pest(s) spreading further on your own property or onto others.