Case study one
WSP were introduced to a farmer who already had centre pivot irrigation from a river take on 110 hectares of his farm. He wanted to investigate if there was a suitable water source for another catchment on his property to extend his cropping enterprise and increase lamb and beef finishing opportunities through the summer months
Using the WSP on farm storage process we explained the entire process to them, and worked through the stages with them as it suited. Understanding their business drivers was key to the decision-making process. To make the project viable the farmer was initially thinking of a dam that could hold approximately 250,000m3 of water.
We undertook a hydrological assessment in the proposed catchment area. This study showed there would only be approximately 100,000m3 of water available to collect from the main catchment. Further collection points were suggested and were disregarded due to cost limitation of pumping water back to the dam.
For the farmer, this highlighted there would not be enough water to make the irrigation proposal viable which meant the project did not proceed.
Having a process set out in stages and having hold points allows farmers to only spend the money they have to in order to make educated and informed decisions on whether to proceed or not.
Case study two (in progress)
This farmer had recently purchased a neighbours farm. He currently had 100 hectares of high producing flats which given he would like to secure summer production on. With the WSP on farm storage process we could explain the entire process to them and work through the stages with them as it suited.
The feasibility stage included catchment hydrology, geological assessment, planning assessment and high-level dam volume assessment showed this was a feasible project.
The findings from stage one gave the farmer confidence to proceed to the detailed geotechnical investigation and find materials to use to construct the dam walls, as well as preparing the resource consent for water extraction.
Once we have confirmed the consent to harvest water we will proceed to the dam design and building consent stage.
Building a dam for storing water for irrigation is a complex process with several steps which contribute to the outcome. Working for our clients to make this process successful, enjoyable and rewarding
