Irrigation Check Up Programme 2017-18

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Irrigation NZ will run the Irrigation Check Up programme between November 2017 and February 2018.

Irrigators can volunteer for the programme and will get help to get their system checked, adjusted and doing what it was designed to do.

For a myriad of reasons the need to irrigate efficiently is becoming more of a priority than ever before. However, over time, wear and tear can take its toll on even the best-designed irrigation system, compromising any attempts irrigators might make at water efficiency.

The aim of this pilot programme is to increase the adoption of irrigation good practice by working with voluntary participants to check their irrigation system. By surveying participants on their irrigation practices it also will help inform future irrigation related programmes and policy.

Irrigation NZ is working with a number of regional councils around New Zealand on similar programmes.

What is the ‘Irrigation Check Up’ programme?

The team will provide a FREE basic irrigation check on each irrigation system for volunteer irrigators. A bucket test will assess distribution uniformity (DU) or emitter uniformity (EU) on up to two irrigation systems per property.

Small group discussions with farmers and industry experts will give participants good information on the results and identify next steps.

What’s the process?

Two students will be trained by Irrigation NZ to conduct basic irrigation efficiency checks.
The students will visit farmers and orchardists who volunteer for the programme and work alongside irrigation managers and property owners to do a bucket test check on each irrigation system (maximum of 2 systems). They will also survey the participants about on farm irrigation practices.
The students will report on the results for each system check and collate survey results.
Participants are to attend small workshops with Irrigation NZ’s engineering support to discuss their system results.
Participants can then make necessary alterations to their system themselves or work with their irrigation supplier. Or better still, rest easy knowing their system is performing as it should.
A final report will be provided to all participants showing aggregated and case study results.

Reports will be posted here following the programme, for general industry information.

How to get involved

There are limited places so early booking is essential. Please contact Monique Benson on 0274 966 138 or Kate Jefferd 027 370 0751 at HBRC, email irrigationcheckup@hbrc.govt.nz.