Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Firm takes the ‘Usain Bolt’ approach
Water is precious, and a Marlborough engineering firm is helping its clients use natural resources in a responsible way.
Southern Water Engineering is up for a Cawthron Marlborough Environment Award in the business innovation category for its SmartAudit management system, aimed at making water use, wastewater use and power use more efficient.
Director Stephen Leitch says Southern Water Engineering is about getting the best result for their clients, which include many vineyard owners.
‘‘What we are trying to do is look at how we can maximise the amount of water we’ve got and the amount of power we’ve got,’’ Stephen says.
SmartAudit identifies leaks or potential leaks in a water system, and the repair work and monitoring needed to improve the system and conserve water and power.
Southern Water Engineering has completed audits on more than 2100 hectares of vineyards and demonstrated potential for significant power and water savings across the board.
With some companies Stephen says he uses a ‘‘Usain Bolt’’ analogy when talking to them about how they manage their water. ‘‘Even professional athletes have coaches, and can improve,’’ he says.
When it comes to making improvements and installing irrigation systems on vineyards, the company does their own design work and installation.
They carry out all the work as part of a package - meaning the company provides everyone from electricians to engineers.
‘‘We’ll do it as one collective. What that means is we have more control over the whole finished product and delivery.’’
- Elena McPhee