Not good at all, according to No Right Turn.
The Wellington Regional Council 'State of the Environment' report says:
"Urban streams and rural waterways in intensive farming areas are badly degraded, with high levels of nutrients and faecal bacteria.
Streams in Kapiti, Porirua, Waiwhetu, Upper Hutt, Carterton and Masterton are among the worst affected.
Average levels of nitrogen and phosphorus have increased on dairy pasture since the intensification of Wairarapa dairying, threatening waterways."
I/S comments:
" These problems can be solved, but it requires local authorities to limit irrigation and stock numbers and crack down on dirty farming practices"
Hard core, that man. The movie 'River Dogs' painted an appalling picture of river management in the region. This report seems to back up what was shown there.
*Update hat-tip Anonymous:
"Stormwater pipes are spewing raw sewage into Wellington Harbour.
The harbour is also being polluted with animal faeces, heavy metals, cigarette butts and oil products that are commonly washed into the stormwater system."
