Reliable data key for protecting our waterways
Water quality is front of mind for New Zealanders. From the quality of drinking water, through to the health of rivers and streams, us Kiwis really care about our water.
Our waterways are influenced by surrounding land uses and management practices, and for nearly four decades, Hill Labs has provided reliable testing solutions to enable decision making to protect the future of New Zealand’s waterways.
Jane Sherrard, Environmental Market Sector Manager at Hill Labs, says routinely monitoring waterways helps assess the suitability of water quality for human use (such as recreational activities) and for native water plants and animals.
“New Zealanders love being on the water, whether that’s fishing, swimming, boating or waterskiing,” she says.
“Sometimes, especially with high levels of use in some areas, bacteria and other bugs can enter the water and cause illness when people come into contact with it, and routinely testing waterways ensures its safe for recreational use.”
Rivers, lakes and streams are also tested and monitored to assess the suitability of water quality for native water plants and animals.
“When water quality is poor, aquatic plants and animals can’t live and thrive, so rivers, lakes and streams are regularly tested for variables that can be toxic to aquatic life, such as ammonia and heavy metals, and for excessive nutrients that can cause harmful growths such as algae and phytoplankton blooms.”
Hill Labs also supports farmers and growers and the crucial role they play in protecting the quality of our waterways.
“We work with them to provide reliable water testing that helps them see how their on-land practices are contributing to the health of surrounding waterways, and to enable them to made the right decisions for their land and management practices,” Jane says.
Testing water from the deep south to the far north, Hill Labs has been supporting councils and sector and industry groups in monitoring water quality for nearly 40 years, and in that time have optimised operations to allow for high-quality, reliable results to be delivered around the country as quickly as possible.
“We are extremely proud of our testing service and the accurate and reliable water quality data we have provided over many years. This data has allowed land users to identify trends over time and confidently make decisions that will protect our waterways for generations to come.”
