Water sharing helps fill ponds

Media Release

14 April 2015

Water sharing helps fill ponds

An unprecedented water sharing arrangement in Mid Canterbury has seen two independent water infrastructure companies work together this season to extend water supply for local irrigators.

Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) is currently giving neighbouring company Rangitata Water Ltd four cumecs of their consented supply from the Rangitata River to help the latter fill their irrigation storage ponds.

While it’s not the first time RDRML has done this it’s the first time water has been ‘donated’ during the peak irrigation season – traditionally a period of high water demand. The RDRML also provided water during summer and last winter to top Rangitata Water Ltd’s ponds up.

“We’ve been able to do it over the past couple of weeks because irrigation demand has softened and because Highbank Power Station is offline for maintenance. So often the perception of water companies is that we are at war and can’t work together. Sharing resources isn’t something the irrigation sector is known for but it’s becoming more common as we all realise the importance of spreading the resource around and ensuring everyone can use their allocation as effectively as possible. At the end of the day we all want the same thing which is to increase the reliability of supply for our customers, whether they be farmers, stock water users or the hydro generation industry,” says RDRML CEO Ben Curry.

Gary Rooney, Director of Rangitata Water Ltd, says having access to RDRML water has come at a critical time.

“Being able to access four cumecs recently has been a huge benefit as we rely on high flows to fill the ponds and with this season’s drought there haven’t been many to count on. We’d like to thank RDRML for providing access to this water as it has enabled our irrigators to continue watering during a very difficult season.”

Mr Rooney says the two companies will continue to work collaboratively sharing consented water when appropriate in the future.

“RDRML has been supportive this season and we’ll support them where we can as we all want the same goal, which is to ensure reliable water for our communities,” says Mr Rooney.

The reciprocal agreement, which is allowed under both companies’ consent conditions, also allows Rangitata Water Ltd to similarly assist RDRML in the future.

RDRML is planning a large water storage facility which will provide even greater reliability for local customers. The company revealed plans to build a new storage pond in the Mid Canterbury foothills near its Klondyke intake in February.

ENDS

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