Hui voices concerns over water supply

Bob Anderson addressing a hui on aquifer water issues held at St Lukes Church, Waipatu, Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor

A public hui, called to address concerns about growing demands for water from the Heretaunga aquifer, ended yesterday with attendees calling on Hawke's Bay Regional Council to provide more details on the impact of extractions from the aquifer.

Those at the meeting - which was held at Waipatu, Hastings - also called on local iwi Ngati Kahungunu to lead the campaign for a moratorium to be put in place on water takes from the aquifer.

There is growing concern that a number of new water-take consents issued to water-bottling businesses will put pressure on the aquifer which supplies water for residents, major industries and irrigation for fruit growers in the district.

The moratorium's supporters want it put in place until science and engineering data can prove the existing capacity of the aquifer to fulfil current consents. They also want reassurance that further consents would not impact adversely on the existing economy and communities, marae and households.

Waipatu resident Bob Anderson told yesterday's hui, attended by about 50 people, he believed more consultation was needed because "this water is a very valuable resource for the the Heretaunga Plains".

Ngahiwi Tomoana, a Waipatu Marae spokesman and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman, said local hapu's concerns were not about attempting to stop economic development in the catchment area, but were aimed at ensuring development was sustainable.

Rex Graham, one of two regional councillors at the hui, said he agreed there needed to be a pause for further discussion about the impact of increased water takes because fruit growers he had spoken to were also concerned about pressure being put on the aquifer.

The other regional councillor at the hui, Tom Belford, said not enough was known about the hydrology of the aquifer, so a moratorium was a prudent idea.

Labour's Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP, Meka Whaitiri, who was also at the hui, said she agreed more information on the impact of water takes to the health of the aquifer was needed.