Waikato Regional Council is prosecuting a Reporoa farmer under the Resource Management Act for unlawfully damming a stream and taking water during the summer drought.
The council is alleging the farmer took large amounts of water from a stream running through his property for irrigating pastures.
It says he had no lawful right to the water and that he acted without considering the environmental impact or the effect on downstream users who were trying to work within water restrictions.
The council alleges that the farmer has unlawfully taking water over the past four summers.
The case will come before the Rotorua District Court on October 17.
