Balmoral Water Storage Facility
Project Management
Inovo is Project Manager for a new 10Mm3 water storage facility proposed by the Amuri Irrigation Company (AIC) within the Balmoral Forest in northwest Canterbury. The facility will provide a reliable water source to farmers, to meet the challenges of climate change and increased environmental flows in the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers.
The Balmoral Water Storage Facility is intended to mitigate the loss of run-of-river reliability, by adding a major source of pumped storage. The facility can also supplement the 3000ha of the Waiau Scheme. AIC has modelled the financial impact on farmers and believes that the cost of constructing the storage facility is more than offset by the value in retaining a reliable supply of water. Higher reliability creates options for future land use diversity and will be critical for farmers considering moving from pastoral farming into higher value crops.
At a depth of around 15m, and a 3.57km rectangular perimeter, the storage facility at 10Mm3 is the upper limit for size. Ponds of 4Mm3, 6Mm3 and 10Mm3 have been investigated, but consents will be pursued for a 10Mm3 pond, with the final size determined with pricing from the Contractor.
A resource consent application has been lodged – to establish the Balmoral Water Storage Facility and to replace the existing fish screen at the Balmoral irrigation race intake.
Inovo is able to offer particular expertise in project management on a water storage facility having been previously involved as Project Manager and Construction Planners on the Waimea Dam and Pickering water storage facility, other Amuri Irrigation facilities and is currently constructing the Mouse Point Buffer Pond.