Many farms could fail 'E. coli' test

Federated Farmers needs to "raise its game" after an admission 90% of Clutha farms would probably fail E. coli tests during a wet spring, a regional councillor says.

Rural water quality and drainage schemes were the hot topics at the Otago Regional Council's long-term plan hearings in Dunedin yesterday.

The Clutha Community Trust, which includes 170 farmers in eight catchment groups around the Clutha District, requested $64,500 over three years towards its total project costs.

Cr Bryan Scott asked what proportion of the region's farms would fail E. coli tests in their waterways.

Trust project manager Hamish Anderson said it would probably be up to 90% during a wet spring.

Cr Scott later referred to his comment during a Federated Farmers submission.

The regional council was often criticised for its work on rural water quality, but Federated Farmers needed to "raise its game", he said.

He admitted the regional council did too, but it could not take all the blame.

Otago Federated Farmers president Simon Davies said he was disappointed to hear of the water quality in Clutha waterways.

"No doubt there are some farmers that are behind the eight ball."

Some farmers needed to step up, as he was "tired of being dragged through the coals" for polluting New Zealand's waterways, he said.

Mr Anderson later said in other parts of the year many farms would pass the same tests.

The trust had a number of initiatives to improve and understand water quality, he said.

"What we first need is usable data. It won't happen overnight. The improvements will be an evolution, not a revolution."

Taieri drainage schemes were also a popular subject.

The council received 36 identical submissions asking for extra pumping at the Waipori station, a lower rating system for the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme and for the council to change the rating system for the West Taieri drainage scheme.

Taieri farmer Simon Parks said information was "too vague".

"I can't understand what you're actually going to do. Consultation is actually getting worse."

While the average regional council rates were low for residential urban households, his were $70,000 and increasing, he said.