Groundwater zones effectively encompass separate groundwater systems and are utilised as a framework for monitoring, investigation and management of groundwater resources in the Southland region. These groundwater zones are classified into four basic aquifer types which aggregate spatially separate aquifer systems on the basis of similarities in hydrogeology, geomorphology, groundwater - surface water interaction and observed variations in groundwater quality and levels. Individual zones are delineated on the basis of surface water catchments, known geological unit and aquifer extents, hydrogeological properties and resource development.
