Out of sight, but not out of trouble: Groundwater contamination in NZ reveals a legacy of human pressure
The latest official stocktake of the state of New Zealand's freshwater carries many of the headline messages we have come to expect.
Water resource management methods comprise the systematic planning, allocation, regulation, and monitoring of surface water, groundwater, and related infrastructure to optimize availability, reliability, and quality under hydrological, ecological, and socio‑economic constraints. Core methodological components include hydrologic and hydrogeologic modeling, demand forecasting, reservoir and aquifer operation rules, conjunctive use strategies, environmental flow assessment, and water quality management. They frequently incorporate decision-support tools such as optimization, multi-criteria analysis, and integrated water resources management (IWRM) frameworks, enabling coordination across sectors and scales. Methods also encompass instruments for governance and implementation, including abstraction licensing, allocation regimes, pricing schemes, and adaptive management based on continuous data and performance evaluation.
The latest official stocktake of the state of New Zealand's freshwater carries many of the headline messages we have come to expect.
Environment
13 hours ago
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As water supplies shrink and food demand grows, new interdisciplinary research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a practical way for farmers to manage irrigation more efficiently while protecting their bottom ...
Other
16 hours ago
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Researchers from the University of Seville (US) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) have demonstrated that it is possible to grow tomatoes and generate solar energy simultaneously, a key strategy for tackling global ...
Biotechnology
Apr 16, 2026
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As future shifts in climate lead to more rain and less snow in the western United States, new research finds that water will move faster through a landscape, likely leading to negative impacts on summer water levels and water ...
Earth Sciences
Apr 16, 2026
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Coastal groundwater is a key source of drinking water in many regions of the world. However, it is threatened by overabstraction and the potential for salinization. Rising sea levels are further exacerbating the situation. ...
Earth Sciences
Apr 14, 2026
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129
Like a naughty pet Labrador, the Australian lungfish has little restraint when it comes to food. "We had 360 sqm of aquatic plants growing inside enclosures; but, once the fences were removed, lungfish and other aquatic animals ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 14, 2026
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290
As drought conditions intensify across the American West and the impact of climate change accelerates, cities such as Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas may face a sobering reality. While it certainly helps, water conservation ...
Environment
Apr 10, 2026
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As large floods occur more frequently worldwide, many wonder what led to such devastating events. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, improper land management and forest removal increase flood frequencies and ...
Environment
Apr 9, 2026
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When a drought turns into an urban water crisis, a city's first step is often to limit lawn watering and launch a campaign to encourage everyone to conserve. It might raise water-use rates or offer incentives for installing ...
Environment
Apr 8, 2026
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Glaciers in High Mountain Asia—a region encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding mountain ranges—are shrinking rapidly, endangering water resources for millions of people, suggests a new study. Using satellite ...
Earth Sciences
Apr 8, 2026
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