Air quality in Canterbury is affected by pollution from home heating, particularly in winter in our urban areas. Our work includes planning for and implementing measures to improve air quality in these areas to meet national standards and community expectations.
Wintertime air quality
Emissions from home heating are the major cause of wintertime air pollution in Canterbury. Home heating contributes approximately 80% of particulate pollution (PM10 = pollution particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter). Motor vehicle and industrial emissions each contribute approximately 10%.
Other air contaminants come from motor vehicle emissions, industry, outdoor burning and spray drift from agrichemicals. Volatile organic compounds, dioxin and other hazardous air pollutants also need to be monitored and investigated to assess whether their concentrations are within health guidelines.
Complying with the National Environmental Standards for air quality by 2016 and 2020
Standards have been set for particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3). Seven "airsheds" in Canterbury have been identified (the air over Christchurch, Timaru, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ashburton, Geraldine and Waimate). Under the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, Christchurch, Timaru, Kaiapoi and Ashburton must meet a maximum of three exceedances of the PM10 standard by 1 September 2016, and one exceedance by 1 September 2020. Rangiora must meet the standard of 1 exceedance by 2016. Some of these communities require assistance to meet the PM10 standard.
Limitations on resourcing mean that urban areas outside the 7 airsheds will not be monitored for PM10 and may also reduce monitoring for other pollutants.
Implementing the Air Plan
As parts of the Air Plan become operative, new rules that place restrictions on the types of home heating allowed are either in effect or imminent for Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Ashburton and Rangiora.
No such rules are currently proposed for Waimate or Geraldine as both towns are on track to meet the National Environmental Standard for air quality by 2016 without the need for home heating rules.
The Air Plan (Chapter 3 of the NRRP) is now fully operative.