Water is the lifeblood of Ashburton District. The district is surrounded by water on all sides, from unique braided rivers to crystal clear alpine lakes to the rolling Pacific Ocean. Water has enormous value and is critical for the district – drinking water to sustain life and health, water to support our economy and agricultural sector and water to play in – our lakes and rivers. Alongside that water is an integral part of our landscape, it sustains our biodiversity, it is strongly connected to our identity. Climate change will impact water in multiple ways. It may lead to more intense and harsher droughts. It will mean more rainfall at greater intensity falling over shorter timeframes. While we cannot stop these climate effects, we must prepare for them. We must value the water we have, be proactive and positive stewards and seek to sustainably manage its use, while enhancing water quality for current and future generations.

1.1 Ensure a forward-thinking approach to the sustainable management of water resources in the Ashburton District.

• A. Foster, support, advocate for or lead strategies or plans to ensure the sustainable management of water resources.
• B. Involve local communities and manawhenua in water management decisions and encourage stewardship of water resources.
• C. Strengthen governance frameworks to support and sustainable management of water resources.
• D. Regularly review and adapt water management strategies based on new data and changing conditions

1.2 Promote and engage in initiatives to maintain and enhance water quality in district water bodies.

• A. Encourage use of nature-based solutions to improve water quality (see Goal 2)
• B. Support community education programmes on water quality (see Goal 3.2C)

1.3 Foster a culture of water conservation and efficiency within the community.

• A. Launch educational and public awareness campaigns to educate residents and businesses about water conservation and storage.
• B. Implement water metering throughout the district for leak detection and water conservation
• C. Continue the ongoing renewal programme focused on reducing water leaks
• D. Promote the adoption of residential rainwater tanks in urban areas and investigate implementation through the District Plan
• E. Ensure all new Council facilities are designed and built including water-saving technologies
• F. Audit existing Council facilities for water saving capability and retrofit with water saving technologies over time
• G. Explore other opportunities for Council activities to maximise water saving in delivering their services

1.4 Track and communicate water usage and quality data to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.

• A. Continue to monitor and manage water demand on Council operated water supplies and make information available to community.
• B. Improve visibility of residential and business water usage

Note: for more details on the actions, e.g. Council's role, who is involved, when it is scheduled and the funding, please see the action plan in the draft strategy on page 23 to 42.