Time is running out for dairy farmers to talk to Horizons Regional Council about any compliance issues with their effluent discharge consents.

Council staff are planning widespread farm inspections after July 25, when the period of grace offered in letters to all dairy farmers in the region expires.

Compliance manager Alison Russell said Horizons' phones had been ringing hot since the letters went out last month to all 900 dairy effluent consent holders.

"We've had about 150 calls from farm owners, staff and contract milkers keen to make sure everything is in order. We're keen to work with all of our farmers to make changes to their current discharge permits that reflect their current dairy operations," said Ms Russell.

She said most consent-related issues arose from farmers increasing stock numbers and, as a result, exceeding their current consented discharge volumes.

"In most cases the property has more than enough land to use irrigation to dispose of the effluent arising from the extra stock numbers.

"And if farmers are happy that they comply with their discharge permits, like the majority do, then staff will catch up with them for an inspection during the season."

However, if staff come across farmers who are not complying with their permits, Ms Russell says the costs will be high.

"The inspection fee is $1200 if staff doing routine inspections find a significant non-compliance, such as overflowing ponds or sumps and ponding. Staff will issue an abatement notice ordering the farmer to cease the non-compliance or to take steps to stop any environmental impacts. They'll also issue an infringement notice, which is a fine of up to $750."

Ms Russell said staff would return to the property a week later for a re-inspection and farmers who had not addressed the problems would face further costs and further enforcement action.

She urged farmers to read the information Horizons sent them last month, which included a copy of their resource consent and a flowchart outlining the compliance inspection process that staff would follow during the coming dairy season.

"If you're having problems or are not sure if you comply with your consent, phone Horizons on 0508 800 800, press 1 on the interactive voice recording, and ask for the dairy hotline," said Ms Russell. "Our compliance staff want to help you get everything in order before the farm inspections begin."