Business Rural North Winter 2021

| 55 The team at Water Services NZ specialise in the design, supply, and installation of water systems for rural, residential, and industrial applications nationwide. RURAL SERVICES » Water Services NZ Water monitoring systems essential Kelly Deeks S pecialising in the design, supply, and instal- lation of water systems for rural, residential, and industrial applications nationwide, Water Services NZ is now helping farmers to capture the data they need to monitor and control their systems for effective and compliant utilisation of one of our most precious and limited resources. Established in 2000, Water Services NZ has grown with a focus on providing quality service with good business systems and capable, loyal staff. Ryan and Bridget Mason took over the business in 2017 and retained its key employees, allowing its ongoing client base to enjoy a continuation of ser- vice from an experienced and knowledgeable team. Based in Taupo, Water Services NZ services the whole of the Central Plateau and beyond, even heading to the South Island to supply and install water meters as a partner in the Fonterra On-Farm Water Meter Installation Promotion. Water Services NZ has now partnered with Tagit Technologies to provide HALO Water Monitoring Systems. “Now with the likes of telemetry, we have the ability to monitor and have online con- trols over pumps, tanks, and other equipment,” Ryan says. “We can put pump stops in place so there is now way to exceed your daily water consents, and we can monitor a pump so if it stops or if it runs too long, farmers have the ability to fix a problem before they run out of water.” HALO Water Monitoring Systems monitor conditions such as water level or flow at a lo- cal, remote, or inaccessible location, sending alerts directly to smart phones or computers if a condition exceeds a limit specified by the farmer. Status reports are also sent directly to farmers’ devices. Equipment is controlled by remote com- mand, and key information including graphs and statistics can be accessed online for analysis. Water Services NZ saw a growing requirement for water system monitoring and control emerg- ing about three years ago and began upskilling the team immediately to get into the position of being able to provide this service for its custom- ers. Water meter installation and verification training was completed with Irrigation NZ, and farm water reticulation and pumping courses undertaken with the New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association. Now all senior staff “Farmers are seeing the benefit of it now, especially on the East Coast and in the dry parts, and it’s going to get bigger. Dams dry up in summer and the water quality is average. You can put all the high- powered feed in but without water, you’ve got nothing.” 126 Rakaunui Rd, Taupo, PO Box 547, Taupo O ice: 07 377 0868 Email: o ice@waterservicesnz.co.nz Mobile: 027 488 0621 www.waterservicesnz.co.nz • FarmWater Reticulation Systems, Design, Installation & Supply • Water Meter Installation/Verification • Effluent Systems • Water Reserviors • Trenching • Deepwell & Submersible Lifts • Domestic & Commercial Pumps • GPS mapping • Pipes & Fittings Supply (concrete, steel, PVC, Poluthene all grades) 24 Hour service throughout Taupo and Turangi. Domestic | Commercial | Rural | Horticulture | Data Automation | Residential | Industrial | Agriculture Audiovisual | Telephone | Maintenance | Servicing Tel: 07 377 4806 or Email: admin@bme.net.nz at Water Services NZ are completing their level three and four water reticulation courses for civil applications. Ryan says the requirement for monitoring and control continues to grow, especially along the East Coast where there are very big farms, and most of them have some form of monitoring and control. “In most of our new installations, and our upgrades to gain or maintain consent, we do try to incorporate monitoring and control,” he says. “Most farmers are adding tank water monitor- ing at least.” Looking to the future, Ryan sees the measure- ment and reporting of water usage becoming a bigger issue for farmers, and the benefits of having fresh clean water for stock, especially in dry summers, will see more farms with water in troughs. “Farmers are seeing the benefit of it now, especially on the East Coast and in the dry parts, and it’s going to get bigger. “Dams dry up in summer and the water quality is average. You can put all the high-powered feed in but without water, you’ve got nothing.” Photos: Trench digging for piping. HALO Water Monitoring Systems monitor conditions such as water level or flow at a local, remote, or inaccessible location. Most farmers are adding tank water monitoring.