Total consents for consumptive use of water in New Zealand

Primary use: The primary purpose for which the water is being used. ‘Other’ use comprises consents for stock, frost protection, combined/mix, not specified, or other.
Primary source: The primary source from which the water is being abstracted.

Figure.NZ calculated the relevant summary statistics to mirror the data presented in the Environmental Reporting Series (see http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/environment/environmental-reporting-series/environmental-indicators/Home/Fresh%20water/consented-freshwater-takes.aspx Figures 1, 2 and 3)

These indicators do not represent actual water takes or actual flow reductions. Maximum potential flow alteration from all consented takes is represented by using consent information (rather than actual takes). All groundwater takes were assumed to influence river flows. The effects of non-consumptive hydroelectric operations (at dams) and takes for permitted activities, such as for stock water, are not included. Some consent conditions require takes to cease or be restricted during times of low flow or during other environmental conditions. NIWA and Stats NZ did not include the effects of these restrictions on takes in this analysis due to lack of nationwide data availability.

The summary statistics exclude hydroelectricity the assumption that it is generally non-consumptive use.

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All 16 regional and unitary councils supplied consent information on water takes. Consent information includes location of the take, maximum instantaneous rate (maximum rate at which abstraction may occur), maximum annual volume (maximum volume of water that can be abstracted in a year), whether it is groundwater or surface water take, and primary use (eg for irrigation or drinking water). Only ‘active’ consents (ie consents not expired) at 14 February 2014 were used because this date falls near the likely peak of the irrigation season for the water reporting year 2013–14.