Our WSP team of engineering professionals understand that such projects are a significant investment. We endeavour to take our rural clients together on a journey where we can advise on all the technical information available to allow businesses to make informed decisions.
Given the complex nature of water storage projects, WSP can separately price each phase of the project as it progresses to give you the best value for your money.
Water storage projects can be split into three distinct phases:
1) Feasibility Investigations
Simply, we explore the following questions:
- Will there be sufficient water available?
- What are the planning rules likely to be applied?
- Are there suitable construction materials available?
- How much water is it possible to store at your preferred site?
- How much is construction likely to cost?
2) Consenting and Design
We complete resource consents and the assessment of environmental effects and seek regulatory permissions on your behalf for the collecting, filling, storing and distribution of water from your proposed pond or dam. This will lead onto geotechnical investigations, detailed design, and classification of the dam, this being a requirement for a building consent application.
3) Construction
From our drawings and specifications the selected contractor will be able to construct the dam and its structures and allow WSP engineers to provide sign-off upon completion.
Owners of existing dams need confidence that their water storage facilities will continue to be safe and that any potential risks of failure are appropriately managed. Our dam engineers are familiar with New Zealand’s regulatory framework including Potential Impact Classifications (PIC) assessments for dams. We can develop a maintenance plan for you as part of a Dam Safety Management System (DSMS).
Irrigation
The efficient and sustainable use of available surface and groundwater resources is of utmost importance, especially where water supply is limited. WSP’s technical team is experienced in investigating water sources for landowners and rural business providing advice in managing your water resources and operating irrigation infrastructure efficiently.
For communities, a reliable well-designed water supply system, while ensuring water quality is maintained, is critical to its viability.
These opportunities range from region-wide irrigation studies at a conceptual stage through to the optimisation of existing schemes on the ground, as well as anything in between. The WSP team’s approach to Irrigation Scheme Studies and Design, involves deploying a range of technical, science and planning people to investigate, evaluate and report on the merit of proposed schemes.
