How you can help

• When out walking your dog near the river (or anywhere in a public place for that matter), please make sure you pick up any dog poo. Faecal matter contributes to bacterial contamination of the water.
• Don’t wash your car where the soap suds may go down the stormwater drain. All the stormwater drains in Nelson feed directly into our treasured Maitai / Mahitahi River - detergent is damaging to fish life. The best place to wash your car is at a car wash or on your lawn.
• Oil and car grease should not be hosed down a stormwater drain, for the same reason above.
• If you live near a stream, creek or river, please avoid dumping lawn clippings there. Green waste is harmful to native habitat and fish life.
• Please don’t litter in or near the river
• Come along to a community planting day over winter
• Join Friends of the Maitai to participate in activities including plant care and removal of pest plant species
• And remember - Only Rain Goes Down The Drain!

Further information:

The LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa) website is also great place to go for water quality data from all over New Zealand. LAWA is a source of trusted environmental information that allows people to discover more about the quality of rivers and make informed decisions.