Wastewater could boost native plant growth, study shows

Wastewater could boost native plant growth, study shows
Duvauchelle on the Banks Peninsula, where researchers set up a field trial of 11 species. (Image: Getty)
Greg Hurrell
Treated wastewater could be used to boost native plant regeneration instead of being discharged into water bodies, a newly completed research project has found.As well as diverting wastewater from waterways, it also raised the prospect of irrigating native plantations for commercial use. However, the results showed that wastewater irrigation was ineffective on native plants that were adapted for poor soils.The research was funded by the Christchurch City Council, along with the Centre for Integrated Biowaste Research, and the Ministry of Busine...

More Environment

Full hydro lakes drove down 2023 emissions
Environment

Full hydro lakes drove down 2023 emissions

But NZ's glaciers are still melting fast.

Greg Hurrell 16 Apr 2025
Phase out forestry credits for fossil fuel emissions: Simon Upton
Environment

Phase out forestry credits for fossil fuel emissions: Simon Upton

The ETS is acting as a disincentive for gross emissions reductions.

Greg Hurrell 09 Apr 2025
Consumer trends a positive sign in ‘sobering’ nature survey
Environment

Consumer trends a positive sign in ‘sobering’ nature survey

Waste and air pollution seem to have peaked according to a new environmental review.

Greg Hurrell 08 Apr 2025
RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'
Policy

RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'

The Government looks to Japan as it unveils two replacement planning laws.

Oliver Lewis 24 Mar 2025