Understanding irrigation restrictions when it's dry
While the impacts of low waterways are being felt across the region, some rural properties can still irrigate while restrictions are in place.
We receive a large number of enquiries from the public over the summer asking why farmers are irrigating when it’s dry and rivers are running low.
While we appreciate people’s concern for our environment, there are many ways that farmers can access water in dry times without affecting river levels.
Landowners with irrigators take and store water in different ways. Water takes come from groundwater (wells or bores), surface water (rivers, lakes, streams or creeks) or an irrigation scheme.
Types of irrigation
Although farms that irrigate using surface water are likely to experience water restrictions during prolonged dry periods when river flows are low, those who irrigate using groundwater, bore water or source their water from a scheme or large-scale storage reservoir may not have the same restrictions.
Stored water or dams
Many Canterbury farmers – especially dairy farmers – recognise that water will not always be available and have invested in on-farm water storage or dams for dry periods. When their water source is not restricted, they take water within their consent limits and fill their storage system. They are free to use this stored water when restrictions are in place.
Groundwater
In places where rivers are running low, there may still be plenty of water underground. Irrigators who have access to groundwater through wells or bores may still be able to irrigate when it’s dry and restrictions are in place. This water is not subject to the same supply issues as surface water sources, such as rivers and dams, which can be impacted by drought or reduced rainfall.
Irrigation schemes
Some of the biggest irrigation schemes, including Central Plains Water (CPW) and MHV Water, use water from large alpine rivers, such as the Rakaia and Rangitata, and provide it to irrigators on the plains. While these schemes are also subject to minimum flow restrictions on the alpine rivers, they can often take and store water when it’s plentiful and distribute it to irrigators when restrictions are otherwise in place.
Irrigation restrictions in dry conditions
Irrigation is critical in most parts of Canterbury during the growing season due to low rainfall in the warmer months.
Farmers who take water to irrigate require a resource consent. This is to ensure water is used efficiently and responsibly. Each resource consent comes with specific conditions.
During prolonged dry periods, irrigation restrictions are put in place to protect the health and ecosystems of our waterways, while sustaining the primary sector and local economy.
Sometimes environmental conditions such as droughts mean irrigation restrictions are put in place earlier and last longer than usual.
Consents ensure irrigation water is used efficiently
Irrigation responsibilities
Irrigators have a number of responsibilities under the conditions of their resource consent.
Importantly, they must be using water responsibly and efficiently. Most irrigating farmers have a Farm Environment Plan (FEP) under their scheme or individual consent. These plans require farmers to work to industry-standard Good Management Practices (GMP) and are audited on a yearly basis.
Irrigators need to be aware of when there are water restrictions in place and adhere to them.
Irrigators who have consent to take 10 litres of water per second (10 l/s) or more, must measure and record how much water they take in each 15-minute period and report their water use to us.
Another key consideration for those irrigating is to make sure it stays off the road. Irrigation water can damage the road over time and create a hazard for road users.
Anyone who notices irrigation spray on the road should contact us. If there is an immediate danger to road users, they should contact the police.
Find out more
- Read about understanding minimum flow restrictions relating to resource consents.
- View current irrigation restrictions.
- Visit our farmers' hub for more information about irrigation and water use.