Waikato Plan Change 1 litigation nears conclusion after 12 years
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
HOW TO AVOID effluent ponds leaking or even collapsing is the topic of an education day being run by Waikato Regional Council on April 30, with Debbie Care of AgVice.
"Such failures can cause pollution of waterways and groundwater, and mean that valuable nutrients are lost to farming systems," said the council's proactive monitoring manager, Ross Wightman.
The education day Putaruru will offer practical advice about how to avoid pond failures, he says.
South Waikato pond failures will be discussed, as will the design considerations to take into account when constructing new effluent storage.
"There are often no warning signs when an effluent pond fails but the risk of failure can be minimised if the pond has been constructed and maintained correctly," says Wightman.
In the South Waikato a pond failure occurred without warning in mid-2012. The pond was constructed in a friable rhyolite soil. Effluent '"tunnelled" through the pond wall and caused a significant discharge of effluent into water and contaminated a nearby water supply.
This pond failure highlights how farmers need to take special care when constructing holding facilities on rhyolite.
"Volcanic rhyolite soil can be found throughout the South Waikato and Taupo as a non-welded, gravelly and sandy pumice soil, or as a dense welded rock. Rhyolite soils are common in the Waikato through the Taupo volcanic zone that stretches from Mount Ruapehu to White Island," says Wightman.
"The risk of pond failure can be minimised during the design and construction phase by ensuring that the pond is constructed of an appropriate material, that it is lined correctly, and that the location is structurally stable.
"Also, when constructing a new effluent pond or assessing an existing one, it is very important to undertake a thorough site investigation to assess the soil profile and slope stability."
The effluent education field day will run from 10.15am-1.30 pm on Wednesday, April 30 at Jack and Elizabeth Scheres' property on 169 Leslie Rd, Putaruru, Fonterra, supply number 77783.
For further information and to register call 0800 800 401.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.