
Nitrogen and Phosphorous Filter Trials
Are nutrient filters a practical solution for farmers to reduce their impact on water quality?
Living Water wants better outcomes for the environment, the economy and New Zealanders – this means finding solutions for healthy freshwater ecosystems and sustainable dairying to thrive side by side.
We’re focused on trialling solutions that can be taken to scale and that will create real change - it’s why DOC and Fonterra are working together and is the purpose of our work. This includes physical tools that are designed to fulfil a particular action for freshwater improvement in the landscape, as well as approaches, processes, ways of working or system changes that move us towards more sustainable dairying and healthier freshwater ecosystems.
As we gather results, we’ll see which solutions can be scaled across catchments or regions, how that might be done (what support and capacity does the farming sector and communities need to get there), and how much it might cost.
Are nutrient filters a practical solution for farmers to reduce their impact on water quality?
Can nitrogen fertiliser use be reduced without compromising pasture growth?
Sediment traps are simple, low-cost excavations in a watercourse or near a waterbody that capture and reduce the downstream movement of gravel, sand, and silt.
Trialling growing aquatic plants growing on a buoyant mat to capture incoming contaminants
Demonstrating new ways of sustainably managing a District Council “classified drain”
A multi-phase restoration, wetland reconnection and water management project
Engaging farmers with biodiversity on their farms.
Can we control an invasive weed with Brazilian beetles?
Digitised up-to-date environmental action plans for farmers.
Trialling a range of on-farm mitigation tools to reduce the impact of nutrients and sediments on waterways
Trialling planting hydro-seeding native sedge seeds in riparian zones to determine success and cost vs conventional planting.
Reducing the biomass of invasive macrophyte Ludwigia by aerial spraying with drones, rather than hand weeding or excavation.
Wetlands can improve water quality, create habitat for wildlife as well as enhance the attractiveness and value of rural properties and can be easy to construct.
Determining whether detention bunds can effectively manage peak run off and reduce sediment in Northland.
Helping landowners to better understand where to put contaminant management interventions to improve water quality leaving farms.
Using simple structures to manage peak flows
Testing the usefulness of taking an ecosystems services approach for project planning.
Trialling a catchment wide approach to managing drains and waterways
Reduce the rate of sediment and nutrients originating from on-farm and off-farm activities.
Social tools
SPRINT Planning
Taking a new approach to strategic planning.
Increasing wildlife habitat areas in a farming landscape
Waimā Waitai Waiora Partnership Project
Collaborative project incorporating sustainable land management practices and the principles of mātauranga Māori to reduce sediment into the Wairoa River.
Maori Engagement and Collaboration
Helping to build mana whenua capacity and capability to restore Kaitiakitanga.