Stockwater
Council currently provides stockwater services to rural properties across the Ashburton district. Most of our stockwater is carried by a large network of open races.
We also provide stockwater through two piped schemes in Methven Springfield and Montalto. These schemes water is also used by households, so the water is treated to make it suitable as drinking water.
The Acton Irrigation Scheme provides stockwater on behalf of Council to properties in the Acton Irrigation area and Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation provides stockwater to Council customers within their scheme command area via their piped network.
Stockwater Exit Transition Plan
The Stockwater Exit Transition Plan was adopted by Council on 18 December 2024. You can learn more about the plan here.
The future of the races
On 26 June 2024, Council adopted its 2024-2034 Long Term Plan (LTP) which included the decision to divest itself from the delivery of the stockwater services by 30 June 2027.
Funding has been included in the LTP for a managed and inclusive exit of the Council delivering stockwater, with a stockwater working group being established to monitor progress. It is anticipated that most properties will be able to be supplied with stockwater from an alternative supply such as an irrigation company or the like.
The key reasons for Council ceasing to deliver stockwater by 30 June 2027 are:
- The stockwater network is an ageing and inefficient method of delivering water for livestock to farms.
- Maintaining the system is getting costlier because the infrastructure is ageing and needs replacement. Many components, related to the channels (eg race gates, junctions, flumes) will need replacing over the next few decades.
- The service relies on having sufficient water in the system to keep the water flowing. During summer, water sources often dry up, meaning we can’t always guarantee the service.
- There are other, more modern ways for properties to get stockwater. A lot of people who pay for this service don't use it because they've found more efficient ways to get stockwater such as through irrigation schemes.
- Meeting new environmental requirements will add extra cost to ensure the system is viable in the future. For example, this includes the installation of fish screens on some intakes to meet these new standards.
All properties that have stockwater races running through them will be consulted with during the divestment process. Some races may not be closed due to ecological values or for other reasons and this will be considered and worked through as part of the process.
Learn more about the stockwater race network
Race maintenance
To ensure that stockwater flows to where it is needed, all races need to be maintained and kept clean of weeds, debris such as plastic drums, tree trimmings and foreign objects throughout the year. This involves cleaning and, in some cases, spraying weeds along the race banks. Council maintain the main races, while local races are the responsibility of the property owner/occupier.
Learn more about race maintenance
Keeping our races clean - prevent race pollution
It is important that the water in our races is kept as clean as possible so that stock have clean drinking water available. To do this, stock such as cattle, deer and pigs must not have access to stand in the stockwater races to drink and can only access the races at correctly installed drinking bays.
Learn more about preventing water race pollution
Race alterations and closures
Any work on a race that is part of Council's stockwater network requires Council approval before any work can commence. There is no cost for these applications. You must apply through the stockwater race works consent application process. Please note that should unauthorised closures or alterations be found on a property, the property owner may be required to immediately reinstate the race to its previous condition, at the property owner’s expense.
Alterations include:
- Closure or realignment of existing races - mains and local
- Construction of new races
- Installation of a culvert/s
Learn more about applying for race alterations and closures
Stockwater shortages
While Council endeavours to provide continual stockwater across the entire network there are times when weather can cause disruptions to water distribution. Such times could be weather events where intakes are damaged during floods and not able to draw water from the source, or during hot dry periods when there is not enough water at source to deliver across the network.
We strongly recommend all stockwater users ensure they have an alternative source of stockwater available for the times when the water does stop flowing, for whatever reason. This will enable you to provide continual water to your livestock during these times.
If you do not have access to an alternative supply such as a well or irrigation water, there are other options available – some are market ready while others that can be easily made at home. One of the easiest is an IBC water tank that can be placed on a trailer or pallets with a trough attached.
These tanks, along with much larger static water tanks can be filled with stormwater captured off a house or shed roof and are then ready to provide water when needed.
Most Ashburton district contractors have water tankers, and they can supply you with a tanker load of water if needed, provided you have suitable storage available on your property. Many people already make use of this service across the district for both potable (drinking) and stockwater. These tanker loads are at the property owner's cost.
Council has set up a special text alert system so people can receive stockwater updates and advisories in the event of sudden changes – text STOCK to 4196 to receive these free alerts.
Water Race Bylaw
The water race network is governed by the Ashburton District Council Water Races Bylaw 2019.
This bylaw sets out the uses of the network, responsibilities of Council and property owners, and non-permitted uses of the water race network. You can view this document by clicking on the following link:
Learn more about the Water Race Bylaw here
Activity Management Plan
Activity Management Plans (AMPs) outline how Council manages stockwater.