Monitoring Summary 2010 - Surface Water Quality
State of the Environment (SoE) surface water quality monitoring takes a catchment management approach to water quality monitoring.
One of the objectives of SoE water quality monitoring is to assess changes in water quality over time and to relate these changes to land use practices.
Key points
- 34 river sites are monitored across Marlborough on a monthly basis for the purpose of state of the environment reporting of freshwater quality.
- Diffuse pollution is Marlborough’s biggest threat to water quality as poorer water quality is noted in more intensively developed areas.
- Good land management practices are intrinsically linked with good water quality.
- Nitrate shows a strong seasonal pattern, with highest concentrations observed in winter/ spring.
- High concentrations of suspended solids, bacteria and heavy metals occur after heavy rainfall.
Further Information