Water quality overtakes air pollution as big worry

New Zealanders are now so worried about the quality of rivers, streams and lakes, that water quality has overtaken air pollution as the nation's leading environmental worry, researchers say.

In a biennial survey by environment specialists at Lincoln University, 19 per cent of respondents ranked water quality as their main environmental concern -- with one in four rating waterways as being in a bad or very bad condition -- compared with only 10 per cent in 2002.

Research leader Dr Ken Hughey said the increase in negative perception was substantial and must be taken into account by policy makers, regulators and resource managers.

The research showed that local knowledge is generally accurate about the quality of water resources.

"We've looked at people's perceptions about freshwater quality and lined those up against the data and indicators for streams, rivers and lakes -- and what we're finding is that people have a very good feel for their local or regional water resources," he said.

The study, Public Perceptions of New Zealand's Environment, was based on a biennial postal survey by Lincoln University.

The survey measured perceptions of 13 natural resources, as well as pressures on freshwater, the current and changing state of rivers and groundwater, and quality of the management response to freshwater issues.

"People are rating New Zealand's freshwater resources as good or very good overall because they are aware that our major rivers and remote areas like Fiordland have high water quality," Dr Hughey said.

"But most people live near the coast and are familiar with the state of lowland water reserves -- local streams and rivers -- which explains why there's a difference between local and national perceptions."

The survey asked people to identify up to three main causes of damage to water in rivers and lakes, and to groundwater.

Farming (43 per cent) and sewage and stormwater (41 per cent) were identified as the main causes of damage to water in rivers and lakes; and hazardous chemicals (33 per cent) and sewage and stormwater (33 per cent) were perceived to be the main causes of damage to groundwater.

Farming, industry and waste disposal were also seen as important causes of damage to groundwater.

Regional responses differed significantly, with southerners taking a more positive view of their rivers and lakes.

Dr Hughey said the study raised some major questions about water management and the lack of water management plans in areas such as Canterbury.

- NZPA