Executive Summary
This project estimated the economic value of New Zealand surface water catchments catchments and groundwater aquifers used for domestic supply, stock watering, field watering and for industry. The economic value of water use is obtained from: 1) water allocation information held by regional councils, 2) estimates of water use, and 3) estimates of the economic value of water.
Water allocation information is compiled in this report under the following categories:
- Domestic. This category includes water for the supply of domestic residences from community supplies and municipal supply schemes.
- Stock. This category includes water for the supply of stock watering.
- Field. Allocation in this category is for watering of fields, e.g. golf courses.
- Industry. Allocation is used by industry.
Water use and water economic values are poorly understood in New Zealand. Therefore the calculations of economic value of water are likely to have high error. However, comparisons of estimates of economic values in each of the four use classes can be made.
Estimates of the economic value of water have the following as the five surface water catchments of largest economic value for domestic water:
- Waikato
- Clutha
- Wairoa (Auckland)
- Hutt
- Waipapa (Northland)
Estimates of the economic value of water have the following as the five surface water catchments of largest economic value for industrial water use:
- Clutha
- Waikato
- Waitaki
- Grey
- Rakaia
Estimates of the economic value of water have the following as the five groundwater aquifer systems of largest economic value for domestic water:
- Christchurch - West Melton
- Heretaunga Plains
- Hutt
- Ashley Downs (Canterbury)
- Auckland volcanics
Estimates of the economic value of water have the following as the five groundwater aquifer systems of largest economic value for industrial water supply:
- Christchurch - West Melton
- Heretaunga Plains
- Wairau Plains (Marlborough)
- Central Plains (Canterbury)
- Hutt
Water use in 2021 by domestic users is estimated using: 1999 allocation, the use of allocation and Statistics New Zealand population projections. The five surface catchments with the estimated largest use in 2021 are:
- Waikato
- Wairoa (Auckland)
- Clutha
- Hutt
- Waipapa (Northland)
The five groundwater aquifers with largest estimated use for domestic water in 2021 are:
- Christchurch - West Melton
- Heretaunga Plains
- Hutt
- Auckland volcanics
- Ashley Downs
Estimates of water economic value in surface catchments and groundwater aquifers made in this report could be improved with better data on water use and better estimates of water economic values.
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