Kiran Chug writes in the Dominion Post about the state of New Zealand’s waterways, which are still being polluted despite an inquiry two years ago which suggested sweeping reforms to clean them up.
A report has gone to Environment Minister Nick Smith suggesting that strict rules be put in place to protect waterways, although the suggestion is being opposed by some groups including Federated Farmers.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“The Waihou River, for example, which had one of its sources at the Blue Spring near Putaruru, was so pure that much of New Zealand’s bottled water came directly from its headwaters. But by the time it reached Te Aroha, it was muddied with sediment and algal blooms, and unsafe for swimming.
…
“New Zealand is the only country in the OECD not to have a National Environmental Reporting Act, meaning information on water quality is left to local councils.”