Planning for water conservation and demand managenent
Annual Conference
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Water plays an essential and integral role in everyday life but its true value is often overlooked, as are the consequences of what would happen if we no longer had access to it. Despite New Zealand being relatively water rich in international terms, regions are becoming water stressed and consideration is being given to better conserve, protect and allocate such a precious resource.
Proposed Variation 6 to the Waikato Regional Plan introduces a new approach to the allocation and use of the region’s freshwater. Whilst municipal water supplies are given the highest priority, there is a requirement for suppliers to demonstrate that the water is used efficiently. Suppliers are required to pr epare and implement a Water Conservation and Demand Management Plan.
This paper will describe HCC’s journey towards more sustainable municipal water management. It will discuss the requirements of proposed Variation 6, the resource consent process, and the challenges facing all water users in securing their current and future water needs.