Ashburton District Stockwater Races: A Win-Win Opportunity

Against a background of a changing regulatory environment and the need to address increasing demand on limited resources, the stockwater races and the water that supports the races of the Ashburton District are currently being examined. These 100 plus year old races have been identified as a key opportunity in the ability to deliver water efficiency improvements in mid Canterbury and to increase flows in the Ashburton River.

A high level, strategic study was undertaken in 2012 to determine whether any water could be made available within the stockwater network through water efficiency improvements and how that ‘unrequired’ water could be used elsewhere within the District to help achieve local and regional objectives. This paper examines some of the outputs of that study including an introduction to the regulatory environment, a stockwater balance of uses and losses, and the potential impacts of race closure. The paper also discusses the outcomes of a survey of customers on the stockwater network to identify the extent of the network required to service those customers who still require a stockwater service. The survey provides an indication on where potential savings could be made and opportunities for alternative sources of water.