Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) Environment Southland has responsibility for managing the adverse effects of water use. Environment Southland’s regional planning documents contain polices, rules and methods to manage pressures on the region’s water resources.
In times of serious water shortages, the RMA allows additional restrictions to be placed on permitted and consented uses through issuing water shortage directions.
Environment Southland also maintains a standard operating procedure for actions during a water shortage, from business-as-usual operations through to issuing a water shortage direction (Status 1 through to Status 4).
