54 | Focus on improving water efficiency The Paerau penstock which takes water from the canal through the Paerau power station and then into the MIC distribution races. Karen Phelps Maniototo Irrigation Company (MIC) is continuing to focus on improving water efficiency across its scheme, in particular with investment in new gates. “We have an ongoing maintenance programme where we are replacing old manual gates with new automated systems. These are a lot more sophisticated and allow us to have improved integrity in the gates,” explains MIC General Manager Jeremy Anderson. Over the past two years, six Rubicon SlipMeter gates have been installed with up to another six planned. “We can now schedule these gates to open and close at any time, reducing the need for farmers to manually operate them. They also provide highly accurate metering data and recording so we can see exactly where water is going. This allows more accurate water use reconciliations as we are now getting precise data on how much water our shareholders are using.” The scheme has operated for 42 years. Originally a Ministry of Works project in 1984, it was purchased by MIC in 1989. A big change occurred a few years ago when three farmer-owned distribution company races - Maniototo Westside, Waipiata and Maniototo Eastside - merged into one entity. Jeremy says this created huge efficiencies. The amalgamated company has a board of seven directors, each a shareholder or associated to a shareholding and along with Jeremy, MIC employs one full time operations manager, Brent Cunningham, a part time assistant race operator, Jim Sharratt, and a part-time Business Support Manager, Renee Weir. Currently MIC serves 47 shareholders across 55 properties. Water is sourced from the Taieri River and Loganburn Reservoir, diverted at the Paerau Weir and passing through the Paerau Power Station before entering the distribution races. Jeremy says the scheme has significantly boosted productivity in the Maniototo. “Land use has shifted towards dairy and intensified sheep and beef farming. Store stock properties can now finish their own stock and there’s been growth in arable farming. Around 80% of water is now applied via spray irrigation, particularly centre pivots.” MIC’s consent for releasing water from the Loganburn Dam is due for renewal in 2034. “We are planning ahead. We maintain a live document of all irrigation systems in use and the total hectares irrigated across the scheme so we “We can now schedule these gates to open and close at any time.” RURAL SERVICES » Maniototo Irrigation We specialise in Civil Construction and Farm Services including: • DamConstruction • Earthmoving • Irrigation Services • Farming Infrastructure • Roading and access tracks • Landscaping 027 512 4677 Covering Maniototo, Manuherikia & Strath Taieri have a good handle on operations. But with RMA reform ongoing we are currently in a holding pattern until the Natural Environment Bill provides a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of freshwater.” He says forming close ties with the community has been a key in the success of the scheme: “We understand the privilege of having access to fresh water and work closely with external stakeholders. We participate in local catchment groups to ensure water quality standards are met and community expectations satisfied.” He says the scheme has also benefited the wider community including agricultural contractors, transport companies and the town of Ranfurly. “We hope to get an economic report completed within the next 12 months as to the true value of water to our economy.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=