7. Technical efficiency in the use of water
7.1 Introduction
This chapter summarises the Board's evaluation of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water. Within this section the effectiveness, benefits and costs, and efficiency of these provisions are examined. Considerations of circumstances where there is uncertain or insufficient information do not arise. Based on this evaluation, having regard to effectiveness and efficiency, the Board's overall judgement of whether the provisions are the most appropriate to achieve the objectives is recorded.
When technical efficiency is referred to, what is meant is using a resource in a way that any given output is produced at the least cost, including avoiding waste. This contrasts with 'allocative efficiency' which means obtaining the best use for the resource.
7.2 Plan provisions
The relevant provisions of the Plan are:
- Policies 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
- Rules 1, 8, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.
7.3 Effectiveness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of the water allocated to activities is summarised in Table 40 below. In this circumstance, Objectives 2, 3 and 4 are relevant to the evaluation.
Table 40: Effectiveness of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities
| Objective | Provisions | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
|
2 |
Ensures that the maximum amount of water is available for allocation between activities and uses. However, it is not considered that this will result in a significant 'freeing-up' of water. |
Moderate |
|
3 |
Recognises that the inefficient use of water can lead to adverse effects on the environment. It further recognises the local and national benefits derived from technical efficiency in the use of water when water is a scarce resource. |
High |
|
4 |
The application of the expectations for technical efficiency in water use avoids water being 'locked-up' through the granting of resource consents but not used. Some allowance is made for inefficiencies for irrigation application (c. 20%). This reflects the current understanding of a reasonable level of technical efficiency in the application of water by different techniques. Further, a small allowance is made for inefficiencies in providing stock water (c. 20%). Limited allowance is made for inefficiencies in community supplies. The piping and upgrading of water distribution systems is only encouraged where there is environmental or economic benefit. In some circumstances this may not coincide with the objective of high technical efficiency in the use of water. Implementation will occur through the assessment of resource-consent applications. Unless already provided for in the conditions of existing resource consents, it may not be possible to review existing resource consents to require a higher level of technical efficiency prior to their replacement. Any such review would need to be initiated by the consent authority. |
Moderate |
|
Overall effectiveness |
Moderate |
|
7.4 Benefits and costs
The Board's evaluation on the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities is summarised in Table 41 below.
Table 41: Benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities
| Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|
|
Environmental Adverse effects relating to nuisance flooding, leaching of nutrients and other contaminants on down-gradient groundwater and surface water caused by surplus water use reduced. The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
Environmental The extent of the effect on the wider environment is unknown as it is dependent on the use of the water, and the specific circumstances of the use. |
|
Economic Enables an increased number of economic enterprises to access the allocated water, potentially achieving higher overall economic gains. Achieves greater economic returns from the allocated water by reducing waste. |
Economic High levels of technical efficiency in the use of water may not result in an economically efficient use of resources. However, the resource consent process allows consideration of this. Individual water users and communities may face capital expenditure requirements to upgrade existing water management (irrigation, stock water, community water and water race) systems. However, the resource consent process allows consideration of this. New water uses, if there are significant financial implications for the user, may prefer other locations (outside Canterbury) where the requirement for technical efficiency in the use of water is not as high. |
|
Social Potentially enhanced secondary social wellbeing effects from increased economic activity, if more technical efficiency in the use of water occurs. |
Social Potential to decrease social wellbeing effects by reduced private spending on community-based activities if there is a requirement for increased capital expenditure to achieve technical efficiency. |
|
Cultural Recognises the relationship of Ngāi Tahu and their culture and traditions with the Waitaki River, a taonga, and its associated sites and wāhi tapu. Has particular regard to the kaitiakitanga of Ngāi Tahu. |
7.5 Efficiency
Following the consideration of the benefits and costs of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions are of moderate efficiency.
7.6 Appropriateness
The Board's evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities is summarised in Table 42 below.
Table 42: Summary of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities
| Provisions | Effectiveness | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
|
Efficient use of water |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Having regard to this information, and taking into account the benefits and costs, it is the Board's judgement that the provisions in the Plan relating to technical efficiency in the use of water allocated to activities are the most appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
