Groundwater Management Zones

Southland's unconfined aquifer resources have been divided into 30 separate groundwater management zones. Zones were delineated based on the presence of unconfined (or semi-confined) aquifers hosted in Quaternary alluvium.

The management zones differ in terms of water recharge, water discharge, water availability, storage volumes, water quality, and surface connectivity. Combined, these factors affect how we manage the use of this precious resource. Separate management criteria apply to unconfined and confined aquifers.

We have produced a guide to Southland's aquifers that provides background on technical terms

For specific information relating to abstraction and use of groundwater please contact us by emailing service@es.govt.nz or calling 0800 76 88 45.