At the moment the Manawatu River is highly polluted and it may take as long as 2020 before acceptable concentrations of E. coli and Soluble Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (SCBOD5) are restored.[1] The key polluters of the Manawatu River have signed a memorandum to engage in more sustainable discharge practices, but in the meantime livelihoods are affected and environmental degradation continues. For example, it has been confirmed that the Manawatu River has incomparable levels of algae productivity or photosynthesis (GGP) when compared to other developed country’s waterways around the world. Measurements in 293 locations, spanning 5 continents have confirmed a daily rate of GPP in the Manawatu River to be 48.1 gO2/m2/day.[2] The Manawatu River stands at 107.1, whilst the next closes reads 59. The approach to finding more sustainable policy around the matter is by firstly, looking into current policy, analyzing the clean-up efforts, and reviewing case studies where successful policy has been implemented.
[1] 1Horizons-Regional-Council, “By Consent,”(2010), http://old.horizons.govt.nz/default.aspx?pageid=382. (accessed October 23, 2010).
[2] Roger Young, “Ecosystem Metabolism in the Manawatu River,” Cawthron Institute (2010).