Auckland is surrounded by rich marine and
freshwater environments.
They provide:
- clean drinking water
- opportunities for recreation
- habitat for diverse species
- flood resilience and natural treatment of run-off
- economic development through tourism.
Water quality and quantity are both significant issues that will escalate as the population grows and the impacts of
climate change become increasingly apparent.
We must do things differently if we are to ensure wildlife, people, and rural and urban businesses have adequate clean water supplies.
In both urban and rural areas, water quality has declined and freshwater environments have been compromised. They are showing the stress of decades of pressure – which will continue to increase if we do not change what we do.
The reduction of water quality has also affected the marine environment. This has resulted in poor ecological and
amenity outcomes and, in some areas, beaches where it is unsafe to swim due to wastewater overflows.