INZ Projects

 

What is irrigation efficiency?

Irrigation efficiency improvements are being targeted and called for by many organisations, often with little understanding of how irrigation efficiency is defined and measured. There is no consistency of understanding within water management agencies and water users of what irrigation efficiency means, leading to confusion, uncertainty and unrealistic expectations. This project will compile a standard set of definitions by reviewing current definitions, understanding their purpose, making recommendations for adoption, circulating to interested parties for feedback and presenting a final position with as much agreement as is reasonably possible. The goal of the project is to remove the confusion and uncertainty, leading to a nationally consistent approach to defining irrigation efficiency improvements.

 

Code Of Practice for Installation of Irrigation Systems 

Irrigation New Zealand aims to establish an industry-recognised code of practice for irrigation installation which will build on existing design and evaluation codes of practice. When completed this national installer’s code will be a concisely-written booklet with explanatory diagrams available in hard copy or electronic form. NZQA recognised unit standards for training will be written and will complement existing unit standards, specifically those developed through AgITO for the Certificate in Irrigation Design.

 

Farmers Guide to The Design and Installation CodeS Of Practice

There are still many challenges facing the NZ irrigation industry to ensure the quality design and installation of irrigation systems. In this extremely competitive market, sub-standard design and installation mainly results from capital cost based decision making. This is not a desirable outcome for irrigators or the wider community, as low capital cost often relates to increased operating cost (energy consumption), reduced production capability and adverse environment impacts. This project will produce and market a decision support system for irrigators installing new or upgrading old irrigation systems, based on the INZ Design & Installation CoP's. The package will use ‘real life’ case studies to raise awareness of both the capital and long-term operating cost implications of design and installation. It will also provide; a specification guide to aid irrigators in the better specification of their needs; an evaluation guide to aid irrigators in their ssessment of quotations; model clauses for use in contracts with suppliers – to ensure irrigators get what they pay for.

 

‘How To’ Guide For the Development Of Irrigator ‘Water User’ Groups

Water User Group – definition: a group of consent holders that choose to work together and relate to catchments, community or zone to face common challenges / opportunities. It is widely recognised that a community / catchment ‘Water User’ based approach is key to the development and implementation of optimal water management. Using learning’s from existing ‘Water User’ groups, this project will produce a ‘How to’ guide to fill the current resource and knowledge gap around; the catalyst for their initiation; governance issues associated with their establishment and operation. The opportunities and benefits, primarily around dynamic self management and cost savings, will be clearly identified. All aspects to consider and options for formation will be covered, from the informal approach through to formal governance arrangements. Means for effective interaction with wider stakeholders and within the policy and regulatory framework will also be covered, including the potential for devolution of governance from local authorities. A ‘guide’ and a series of workshops will be held, particularly targeting areas where much benefit could be realised from a community / catchment “Water User’ approach. Ultimately this project will support and develop water user groups, improving and enhancing sustainable water use for ‘Water Users’, their communities and the environment.

 

Irrigator Operator Training: Courses & Resources

Good irrigation performance, the key to a viable profitable agricultural sector in many parts of NZ, is greatly dependent upon quality design, installation, maintenance, management and operation. Currently standards, training and associated resources have been established for design and evaluation, the installation component is also now nearing completion. However, there is a lack of effective irrigation manager training and no practical irrigation operator training available in NZ. This project will address this ‘gap’ completing a full suite of standards, qualifications and training resources for the irrigation industry, making managers and operators aware of their roles and responsibilities. Irrigation is a significant component of NZ’s economy. Using the 2004 MAF report as a basis, irrigation now accounts for 18% of farm gate earnings or 1% of national GDP (this is based on a conservative area estimate of 750,000ha).

 

Collaborative Water Management for the Rakaia-Selwyn Zone

Sustainable freshwater management is the greatest challenge facing NZ’s primary industries. The Rakaia-Selwyn consent review process (600 consents, 50,000ha and 215GL annual volume) has created an opportunity to develop an innovative user group based management system for the benefit of individual irrigators, regulator and wider community. This project will -

  • Implement a cost effective Audited Self Management system that adds value to farm businesses, whilst meeting regulatory compliance, wider community and future market needs.
  • Develop a Benchmarking system whose outputs will; set water use efficiency targets for irrigators to strive towards; drive the future water allocation process
  • Identify future water management opportunities for the Rakaia-Selwyn zone that capture the benefits of water metering and a collaborative user group approach.

 

Decision Support System for Fish Screen Installations

The exclusion of native and sports fish from irrigation and stock water takes continues to be a challenge. To forge a balanced and practical pathway forward, a working group with representation from a range of stakeholders has been established. This project will assess the field performance (capital and operating costs in relation to effectiveness) of a range of operational NZ fish screens. Outcomes will be used to refine existing NIWA literature based guidelines, resulting in a comprehensive decision support system for NZ fish screen installations in which all stakeholders have confidence. This project will minimise future fish exclusion related consent and compliance costs for irrigators, whilst ensuring effective, outcome focused decision making for all future fish screen installations.