Te Waikoropupu Springs are in line for the highest level of environmental protection to preserve their crystal clear waters.

Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today he had accepted an application for a Water Conservation Order (WCO) for the world-renowned coldwater springs in Golden Bay — and for the Arthur Marble aquifer that feeds them.

Smith said the application had been referred to a special tribunal.

CHRIS CONROY Te Waikoropupu Springs is wahi tapu and revered by local iwi as a taonga, or treasure.

﻿Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand and contain some of the clearest water measured anywhere in the world.

They are wahi tapu and revered by local Maori as a taonga, or treasure.

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CHRIS CONROY/STUFF The unprecedented Water Conservation order would give national park status to the springs and the aquifer that feeds it.

The applicants, Ngati Tama ki te Waipounamu Trust and Golden Bay resident Andrew Yuill, are concerned a proposed increase in water takes for irrigation, commercial bottling and gold mining in the area might destroy the health of the water.

Ngati Tama trustee, Margie Little, said it was "hugely significant" the application had advanced to the tribunal stage.

"Iwi have been fighting commercialisation here since 1984 — it's been a long battle. The water take and the mining is a huge worry for us and hopefully, the water's mauri [life force] and well-being will be protected."

Ngati Tama kaumata John Ward-Holmes said the iwi had a responsibility to its ancestors to safeguard the springs: "but even more so, we have responsibility to protect it for future generations."

WCOs give National Park status to waterways to protect their outstanding natural values.

They override any other planning instrument and require the identified features or characteristics are protected in perpetuity.

There are 15 WCOs nationwide covering 13 rivers and two lakes. This is the first application for a springs and aquifer.

Smith said the iconic waters at Te Waikoropupu were well deserving of consideration for the highest protection.

"They are a widely treasured and unique water body that attracts 90,000 visitors each year. The uniquely purple-blue water has a clarity of 63 metres due to the confined Mt Arthur karst aquifer through which it passes," he said.

"There is controversy in the region over the potential impacts of water abstraction and nutrient run-off on these precious springs," Smith said.

"The advantage of a WCO is that any decisions made in future by the council or the Environment Court on any resource plans or consents would have to be within the bounds of the protective covenant provided by the WCO."

The springs discharge 14,000 litres of water per second, fed by the Arthur Marble Aquifer that contains unique organisms called stygofauna, which are responsible for the water's startling clarity.

It is feared the stygofauna might be affected by the nitrates from dairy farm runoff if TDC approves more water takes, as proposed by its Freshwater Land Advisory Group (FLAG).

Recent E.coli tests revealed Fish Creek, which flows near the springs, had exceedingly high levels of E.coli from cattle.

The Tasman District Council is also considering a resource consent for a small-scale gold mining operation on farmland adjacent to the springs' reserve.

The iwi also TDC to the High Court in March over its decision to extend company Kahurangi Virgin Water Limited's consent without public consultation on a non-notified basis, to draw water from the reserve for its commercial bottling operation. The judge found "errors" in the council's process and ordered it to reconsider the application.

Smith said a WCO would say that any decisions within the aquifer and the wider Takaka catchment would need to ensure they don't compromise the quality or flow of the water at Te Waikoropupu, so that it can maintain its wairua and significance.

"This particular water body has very high values and we should take a very precautionary approach to any consents that are granted for additional water takes, or for the management of nutrients in the catchment that may compromise it in future."

He was also having discussions with TDC on how it could ensure the processes for the WCO was aligned with FLAGs proposed changes to their water take and management plans.

"We will discuss how we can ensure the work that has been done by FLAG buttresses with the Water Conservation Order."

The special tribunal would give an opportunity for the public, both locally and nationally, to have a say on the future of the springs.

"The issue is not just whether there is a WCO but in ensuring the detail provides an appropriate level of protection," he said.