5. Allocation of Public Resources Volume One [R] Policy 5.7.3 – Water permit applications to use water for irrigation will not be approved when the rate of use exceeds the reasonable use calculation, except where the applicant can demonstrate that they require more water based on property specific information. Irrigation is used to replace any deficit in soil moisture in order to maintain crop health and growth. Climate and the properties of the soil in which the crop is growing are the main determinants of water availability and therefore irrigation demand. In terms of soils, Plant Available Water (the measure of the difference between field capacity and plant wilting point) is a key influence on crop water demand. The Plant Available Water varies according to soil type. “IrriCalc” uses existing soils information and modelled climate data to provide estimates of water use for all crop types. To ensure efficient use of water for irrigation, the Council will generally not grant water permits to use water for irrigation purposes at a rate that exceeds the reasonable use calculation provided by “IrriCalc.” Past methods of determining water use allocations have not accounted for the variation in water demand when growing the same crop in different locations and conditions. The use of “IrriCalc” in the manner described above will therefore result in improvements in the efficient allocation and use of water and assist to give effect to Policy B4 of the NPSFM. The policy recognises that the calculation is a modelled calculation and may not accurately estimate reasonable use in all circumstances. For this reason, the policy provides resource consent applicants the opportunity to provide property specific information on the factors that influence crop demand that may demonstrate a higher rate of water use than IrriCalc would otherwise indicate. Examples could include historical measurement of rainfall or the investigation of soil type and plant available water on the property. Regard can be had to such information in determining an appropriate allocation on water permits to use water. [R] Policy 5.7.4 – Require water permit holders to measure their water take with a pulse emitting meter, to record water take and use with a data logger, and to transfer the recorded water take and use information by the use of telemetry. Alternative methods of measurement, recording or transfer that provide the Marlborough District Council with accurate water take and use data may be considered. All water takes authorised by way of resource consent are required to be accurately metered. The water use information gained through the measurement of water take and use is important for: • establishing compliance with the water allocations provided by water permits and the conditions imposed on water take and use (e.g. compliance with water restrictions); • enabling cumulative rates of take within a freshwater management unit to be accounted for (and reported) as required by Policy CC1 of the NPSFM; • indicating the extent of water availability at any point in time; and • establishing or refining a relationship between cumulative rates of water use and the water resource response. In this way, water use information collected through accurate metering assists the Council to review limits set in accordance with provisions of the MEP and refine those limits where necessary. The policy establishes the requirements with respect to measurement of water takes in Marlborough. Data loggers provide accurate water take records and their use avoids the need for manual readings. The use of telemetry ensures the transfer of recorded data to the Council in a timely fashion. These efficient means of recording and transferring water take information will also assist to enable the transfer of water permits between users, as provided for under Policy 5.4.4. By providing users with real time information on water user relative to limits, metering establishes the extent of water availability at any point in time. 5 – 24