Jenny Webster-Brown: Land and Water Director on a report finding that every region needs to reduce contaminants to meet freshwater standards

Published: Nov. 29, 2023, 6:53 p.m.

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A new report into New Zealand\'s achievement of water quality targets has provided a sombre read.\\xa0

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It\'s evaluated four contaminants \\u2014nitrogen, phosphorus, E. coli, and sediment\\u2014 in rivers, lakes, and estuaries nationwide.\\xa0\\xa0

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Every region needs to substantially reduce at least one to meet freshwater standards.\\xa0

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75% of land is contributing more E. coli to water than is allowed.\\xa0

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Our Land and Water Director, Jenny Webster-Brown told Mike Hosking that the worst areas are those where agricultural production has been most intensive.\\xa0

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She says it\'s a combined factor in some cases, with some land\'s geology favouring sediment and erosion.\\xa0

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