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Motupipi River, Takaka
The Motupipi River and tributaries are known to have some of the worst water quality in Tasman District. The main land uses are dairy and sheep and beef farming and the water quality issues are high levels of disease-causing organisms and nutrients, heavy fine sediment deposits on the stream bed, undesirable algal growths and low dissolved oxygen levels. In order to improve water quality a number of investigations were carried out from 2005, and an automated water quality monitoring site installed near the confluence of Powell Creek. Understanding the complex groundwater systems that feed the waterway is critical and investigations are on-going., and the Motupipi estuary.
The local community and farmers are also very concerned about water quality. Many farmers have responded to this water quality information by such actions as fencing streams, planting along the streamside and using fertilisers that reduce leaching to waterways.
Water Quality Graphs
Automated Water Quality Recorder
Reports
Motupipi Catchment Nutrient Management Report (2008)
Motupipi River Dissolved Oxygen and Ecological Health (2006)
Motupipi Headwaters Groundwater Quality Report (2009)