New Zealand | Farmers anxious over water supply

Author: tvnz
Date Published: 2005-11-10

Farmers Farmers in much of the Canterbury region are getting anxious about water supplies as irrigation restrictions start to bite. 

A dry mild winter has left ground water reserves in many areas at record low levels and recent rain and snow has had little impact. 

Lower than average rainfall in much of the region has also reduced river and stream flows and full irrigation restrictions are in place on some mid-Canterbury water ways. 

The mid-Canterbury dairy farmers chairman, Willy Leferink, says he's not panicking yet but the low aquifer and river levels for the time of year are a growing concern for farmers who depend on irrigation. 

Leferink says many farmers have reservoirs, but they wouldn't provide any more than an extra 10 to 15 days water. 

Canterbury Regional Council's latest report on the state of water supplies shows groundwater levels, particularly in deep aquifers, are currently one to three metres lower than the same time last year. And soil moisture levels on the plains and foothills are about 20 mm below normal for this time of year. 

Mark Oldfield, who chairs the council's water portfolio, says mid-Canterbury is  the area under greatest pressure. 

However, the fine sunny conditions the region has been experiencing however are perfect for the Canterbury A  and P Show, which opened on Wednesday.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/625887

< Back