Non-consented Monitoring

Farms that dispose of FDE to land under the permitted activity rule are inspected annually to make sure that they comply with the conditions of the rule.

The treatment/disposal system at each farm is graded on a scale of 1P to 4P. A 1P grade indicates a system that is well managed and meets all the ‘permitted activity' criteria, including having adequate emergency storage. The grading 4P indicates a non-complying system that requires urgent or major work and/or better management.

Any system not complying with the permitted activity criteria may be graded ‘C', which means it needs resource consent, or ‘X', which means that a discharge of untreated effluent to water has been identified.

Photo: 1P grade compliant farm dairy effluent treatment ponds