15. Resource Quality (Water, Air, Soil) Volume One short term consents will occur where water quality classification standards cannot be met. In the latter case, Policy 15.1.12 identifies that consent holders only have five years to achieve compliance with water quality classification standards, hence the requirement in (c) above. This policy gives effect to Policy A3 of the NPSFM. [R, C] Policy 15.1.17 – Review, where appropriate, the conditions of existing discharge permits to impose new conditions requiring the monitoring of the discharge effects to determine compliance with the water classification standards. It may not be known whether existing discharges comply with the water quality classification standards where there is no requirement in the conditions of consent to monitor effects relative to the standards. As this information will be critical to the consideration of any new discharge permit applications to continue discharging the contaminants, the policy can be used to require the consent holder to commence monitoring the effects of the discharge. This will be achieved through Section 128(b), reviews of discharge permit conditions. This policy gives effect to Policy A3 of the NPSFM. [R, C] Policy 15.1.18 – Avoid the discharge of untreated human sewage to waterbodies or coastal waters. The discharge of untreated human sewage to water has the potential for significant adverse effects on the life supporting capacity of freshwater and marine ecosystems as well as the recreational and commercial use of the waters. Such discharges are also culturally offensive to Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi and the wider community. For these reasons, it is appropriate to avoid any discharge of untreated human sewage to waterbodies or coastal waters through prohibited activity rules. This policy gives effect to Policy 23 of the NZCPS. [C] Policy 15.1.19 – Progressively work toward eliminating the discharge of human sewage to coastal waters in the Marlborough Sounds, with the exception of regionally significant infrastructure. The Marlborough Sounds are one of the District’s significant natural resources and as a predominantly coastal environment, the quality of coastal waters is paramount to their ongoing use and enjoyment by the community and visitors. There is therefore a strong community desire to eliminate the discharge of all human sewage to coastal waters in the Marlborough Sounds. A policy of progressively eliminating discharges over time recognises that those discharging human sewage will need time to find alternative receiving environments. An exception has been made for regionally significant infrastructure in recognition of the fact that the discharges from Council operated, reticulated community sewerage systems act to maintain public health standards in the towns of Picton and Havelock. However, the remainder of the policies in this chapter do apply to the discharges. This means that the Council will have to consider alternative receiving environments when new resource consents are sought for these existing discharges and if discharge to coastal water is the best practicable option, the effects of the discharge will still be considered in accordance with Policy 15.1.12. The Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998 control the discharge of human sewage from ships into coastal waters. Policy 15.1.20 provides further direction on the discharge of untreated human sewage from ships in the Marlborough Sounds. This policy assists to give effect to Policy 23 of the NZCPS. 15 – 18