Dannevirke: Mangapapa stream cleans up

The Mangapapa Stream near Woodville has been recognised as the second most improved waterway for dissolved inorganic nitrogen at this year's New Zealand River Awards. Photo / Christine McKay

The Mangapapa Stream near Woodville has been recognised as the second most improved waterway for dissolved inorganic nitrogen at this year's New Zealand River Awards, thanks to the commitment of dairy farmers in the catchment.

Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon said it's fantastic to see the Mangapapa Stream recognised for a reduction in nitrogen, one of the major contributors to plant and algal growth.

"It's a great result for water quality in our region and we hope to see the improvement continue.

"The Mangapapa is a small catchment, surrounded by about seven dairy farms. It's a primary catchment for Dairy New Zealand's Sustainable Dairying Water Accord and was one of the first catchments to come under nutrient management provisions in Horizons One Plan. A lot of work has been carried out in the area over recent years to exclude stock and remove dairy discharges.

"Steps such as removing all dairy effluent discharges from the waterway in favour of land-based treatment, excluding stock and working with Tararua District Council to reduce their water take during low flows, have all had a major impact.

"While we do still have a way to go, this award recognises all the hard work under way by both councils and the community to make a real difference."

The awards, sponsored by the Morgan Foundation, aim to encourage regional councils and communities to improve the health of their local rivers.

The Mangapapa Stream is a tributary of the Manawatu River and has shown an improving trend of 13.6 per cent a year for dissolved inorganic nitrogen over the past 10 years.