Canterbury's Lifeblood

Fresh water is vital to the Canterbury region which has 70% of the country’s irrigated land, generates 24% of the nation’s power through hydroelectricity and provides a high quality water supply to over 360,000 Christchurch people without the need for treatment. Water also creates and sustains Canterbury’s world-famous braided rivers, lowland streams and wetlands.

Environment Canterbury manages water as a resource through the Resource Management Act. Quality and quantity issues include the impact of land practices on water quality, discharge of contaminants, the health of our freshwater ecosystems and the natural character of Canterbury’s water.