10 | Environment at the forefront Opuha Dam aerial shot. Photo by Opuha Water. Rosa Watson IRRIGATION » Opuha Water South Canterbury’s Opuha water scheme is not only providing vital irrigation to shareholders in the region, it also plays an important role in protecting the area’s environment. And it’s a role Opuha Water Ltd takes seriously, as a legacy for future generations. The company owns and operates the Opuha dam. It irrigates 16,000 hectares of farmland in the region, running from the Fairlie basin down to the Levels plains and includes the Levels Plains, Kakahu and Totara Valley sub-schemes. “It used to be a collection of co-ops … and now we’re one co-op covering all of these schemes,” chief executive officer Andrew Mockford explains. The lake can store 65.2 million cubic metres of water and includes a 7-mega watt power station. The power station can produce 27 gigawatt hours on average a year, which can power about 3800 homes. A fantastic green energy by-product of the Opuha Dam, Andrew says. While providing water to shareholders, the scheme also releases water to make sure the Opuha and Opihi rivers have an environmental flow of water to protect the ecosystem. The Opihi River has never run dry since the dam was commissioned in 1998, which has not only protected the ecosystem but also provided more consistent days that the river mouth is open, Andrew says. Another important role of the company is to manage the lake’s level to be able to capture and hold back large volumes of flood water flowing down from the catchment, preventing further damage downstream. • to page 12 South Canterbury-based Aerialtech is helping farmers and primary industry organisations to add value to their business through state-of-the-art monitoring technology. The company covers a large area that includes Timaru as well as Central Otago, South Canterbury and the North Canterbury high country. Clients can monitor variables within their business, driving performance and cost saving decisions, as well as taking care of compliance requirements. Aerialtech was formed after owner Ben Walden spent time working for a local hydrology and telemetry company. It is an independent company but maintains industry contracts with companies such as Halo Systems. Ben is the sole operator, which he says ensures personalised attention and control for all clients. “I do however have a number of independent suppliers who I engage for specialised work and support.” After gaining a Bachelor of Science degree from Otago University, Ben was employed by a hydrology company. “This company also developed a sound monitoring system in which I was employed to install and maintain.” Wanting to be self-employed, he went out on his own with Aerialtech, wanting to o er a greater range of options as the market expanded and technology advanced. “I have always had a love for the agricultural sector and enjoy working with farmers, creating ideas and solutions that can enhance their compliance and governance requirements and to enhance their production results through the adopting of relevant technological solutions.” Aerialtech bringing technological solutions to farming Success for Ben is providing relevant solutions to clients’ situations. “This involves listening to the client, searching for solutions and providing the answers to assist my clients. “The satisfaction comes from providing support and equipment that covers every client and their individual needs. The company o ered dedicated after-sales support, building a closer relationship with the client and monitoring the output to see results. Ben has worked with a number of water companies, farmers located in di ering geographical areas covering many farming needs, soil types and climactic variables. “There is growing need for farmers to be more compliant and aware of the options that are available to them. I can help ill this need.” He said there were many challenges facing farmers, “but many we can't solve, for example what has happened with the latest bout of weather or global uncertainties”. “The main challenge for me is to convince farmers that by adopting and adapting to new technology they can increase production and become more self-governing in their business. “The advances in technology is evident and the bene its measurable. It is just whether the farmer can see this as being a necessary part of their everyday work.” He is committed to o ering personalised monitoring solutions and support that recognises ongoing developments in the agricultural sector. He is con ident in the future for farming. “But that future will no doubt go through continued change. “I want to be a part of that and being able to o er solutions to my clients’ questions, problems and needs. I want to learn from the past but plan for the future.” Agricultural Monitoring Solutions. BenWalden ben@aerialtech.co.nz 021 195 9199 Proudly supporting Opuha Water.
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