Freshwater Attributes Presented to the Collaborative Stakeholder Group, 15th August 2014, The Link, Hamilton

Healthy Rivers Policy Process Approach – as the TLG see it Healthy Rivers Policy Process Desired Values Setting Attribute Levels Water quality (N, P, Sed., bacteria) consistent with Desired Values Scenario Analysis – looking at future options Integrated assessment across Values to provide CSG with social, economic, cultural & ecological analysis deliberations CSG CSG Focus Statement e.g., safe to swim, take food, provide well being) Can be ‘alternative’ detail below that CSG outcomes Assess options against Values & risk Consensus? Seek further scenarios? TLG, using: Guidelines (e.g., NOF) Existing information Experts input TLG, using experts for: Predictive modelling Non-market valuation studies

Attributes for ‘swimmable’ Human Health ‘Swimmability’ Pathogens: E. coli Toxicants: Cyanobacteria Heavy metals Other: Clarity Deposited sediment Flows/water levels Habitat modification Temperature Trophic state: Phytoplankton Periphyton Macrophytes Nitrogen Phosphorus

‘Healthy Biodiversity’ Attributes for ‘Healthy Biodiversity’ Ecosystem Health ‘Healthy Biodiversity’ Trophic state : Phytoplankton Periphyton Macrophytes Nitrogen Phosphorus Toxicants: Ammonia Nitrate Heavy metals Other stressors: Dissolved oxygen Temperature Clarity Deposited sediment Habitat modification Introduced species Flows/water levels Pathogens: E. coli NB. Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) could be used as indicator of ‘Healthy Biodiversity’

Attributes for ‘Fishable’ Safe to Take Food ‘Fishable’ Trophic state : Phytoplankton Periphyton Macrophytes Nitrogen Phosphorus Toxicants: Ammonia Nitrate Cyanobacteria Heavy metals Other stressors: Dissolved oxygen Temperature Clarity Deposited sediment Habitat modification Introduced species Flows/water levels Pathogens: E. coli

Swimmable Fishable Healthy Biodiversity Covered in NOF? Aspects to be managed Attributes Swimmable Fishable Healthy Biodiversity Covered in NOF? Pathogens E. Coli Y N Trophic state Plants/algae* Partial TN TP Toxicants Ammonia Nitrate Cyanobacteria Heavy metals Other Clarity Deposited sediment Dissolved oxygen Temperature Flows/water levels Habitat modification Introduced species * Includes periphyton in rivers, aquatic plants in lakes and rivers and phytoplankton in lakes and lake-fed rivers

E. coli Attribute Attribute state Numeric Attribute State ‘Swimming’ (95th percentile) ‘Wading/boating’ (Median) A ≤ 260   B >260 ≤540 C >540 ≤1000 D >1000 Red cells identify an ‘unacceptable’ state (NB. the national ‘bottom line’ for E. coli levels is an annual median of 1000 cfu/100 ml). Current WRC criteria: Acceptable is <550 cfu/100 ml (95th percentile) Excellent is <55 cfu/100 ml (95th percentile)

‘Swimmability’ – Waikato River Mainstem 540 cfu/100 ml *Year round, all flows

‘Swimmability’ – Waikato-Waipa Catchment *Year round, all flows

‘Wading/Boating’ – Waikato-Waipa Catchment Breach National Bottom Line *Year round, all flows

‘Swimmability’ – Waikato/Waipa 10 – 260 261 – 540 541 – 1000 1001 – 10000 10001 - 22000

Trophic State Attributes - Lakes Attribute State Chlorophyll a (mg/m3) TP (mg/m3) TN (mg/m3) (Stratified) (Mixed) A ≤2 ≤10 ≤160 ≤300 B >2 and ≤5 >10 and ≤20 >160 and ≤350 >300 and ≤500 C >5 and ≤12 >20 and ≤50 >350 and ≤750 >500 and ≤800 D >12 >50 >750 >800 NOF Attribute Upper Waikato Middle/Lower Waikato Waipa Shallow lakes TN (mg/m3) ≤300 (B) ≤500 (B) TP (mg/m3) ≤20 (B) ≤35 (C) WRISS

Significant Gaps in NOF Attributes Primary contaminants Sediment – water clarity, deposited sediment, sediment loads TN, TP and components (e.g. Dissolved Inorganic N, Dissolved Reactive P) for rivers Macrophytes/algae in large rivers and soft-bottomed streams Other stressors Dissolved oxygen Temperature Heavy metals Habitat modification

Clarity (m, at base flow) Clarity (m, at base flow) Water Clarity - Waikato WRISS WRC Reach Clarity (m, at base flow) Taupo-Karapiro ≥4 Karapiro-Waipa confluence ≥1.6 Waipa above Otorohanga Waipa below Otorohanga ≥1.0 Lower Waikato River Shallow lakes Tributaries draining pasture Clarity (m, at base flow) Excellent >4.0 Satisfactory 1.6 - 4 Unsatisfactory <1.6 Where should these numbers sit in terms of A, B, C & D states? A >4.0 B >1.6 to <4.0 C >1.0 to <1.6 D <1.0

Next Steps – Attributes Work Plan Populate justifiable attribute table for ‘Healthy Rivers’ Expert panel approach (TSG) Build on existing attributes from NOF Provide a complete picture of attribute states for priority values Draft attribute table to TLG for review (early Oct) Present attribute table to CSG at October meeting (CSG7)