Water

Water is perhaps the number one natural resource issue in Canterbury. Whether we’re talking quality or quantity, the demand for Canterbury’s water is extremely high. Canterbury has some of the cleanest water in the world, which is drawn from underground aquifers and which we can drink untreated. Although a floodplain, the Canterbury plains has a dry climate, and the thirsty land requires a lot of water to grow good grass and crops. Irrigation is the greatest use of water in the region. Human activities like agriculture, recreation, industry and power generation can affect water quality and quantity.

What we offer

Waitaha Wai is a comprehensive water education resource written for years 7 and 8. This resource is FREE to teachers and, depending on bookings, some facilitation support is available.

Waitaha Wai Supplements:

• Canterbury Mudfish/Kowaro
• Kaipoi Catchment
• Waihi, Opihi, Orari Rivers and their tributaries
• Lake Ellesmere

Living Streams is a programme aimed to help improve water quality in lowland streams. For schools within Living Streams catchments there is a two-year facilitated environmental education programme available and additional resource material.

EBox: Water - The lifeblood of Canterbury