Reliable water supply is finally here
A dedicated group of enthusiastic, progressive people deserve immense thanks for their part over the last two decades in securing water supply for our region’s future.
It certainly felt very good last weekend when water was released from the dam’s reservoir.
Since the early 2000s, the 2000/01 drought to be precise, farmers, growers, iwi, the Department of Conservation, Fish & Game, the wider growing community, commercial developers, the environmental sector and both councils have collaborated at various points along the journey of the dam.
A determined group of individuals too numerous to mention, but with some key influencers, had a clear vision, “to capture water when it is abundant and augment the river system in dry times” and avoid the acute water shortages.
Personally, I have been involved in Waimea water management for longer than the age of all my children, but ultimately for the long-term benefit of them and their children’s children.
Twenty plus years ago was a time when collaboration wasn’t as much of a thing as it is today, and yet here were a group of stakeholders with different views sitting around the same table, all wanting the same thing - a healthy river system, and reliable water for the primary sector and urban areas. Given the different backgrounds, working together has been a seamless process due to the same goal.
That drought of 2000/2001 showed us in no uncertain terms that climate volatility meant reliable water was no longer guaranteed, and a solution needed to be found.
November 2000 recorded the lowest rainfall in 10 years with river levels falling even before summer started. Some rain fell on December 10th and then basically nothing for five months, and beyond. The 2000-2001 ‘Big Dry’, as named by Niwa, was the worst regional drought on record, and along with it came water usage bans, the shut down of three urban water wells, fire risk and recreational area closures and work stoppages, and the risk of saltwater intrusion in the lower Waimea River.
Since then we have faced ongoing summer water restrictions and various droughts, which have impacted everyone. This summer has been no different.
It was a pity that way back in 1979, after the Nelson Catchment and Regional Water Board commissioned a study to consider building a dam in the Wairoa Gorge, that the site was discounted and it took another 28 years until other sites were considered.
In all, 18 potential sites were assessed for engineering, environmental and social factors. The Lee Valley site was ultimately chosen for the valley’s ability to capture rain in its headwaters and the Lee River being a feeder into the Waimea waterways and aquifers.
Future generations will be thankful for the effort put into building the Waimea Community Dam now. It is a legacy we should all be proud of.
Even with just the promise of the Waimea Community Dam being operational this summer, there has been confidence to invest in regional residential and commercial developments.
Homes built in Richmond west, more businesses established, growers diversifying in other high value crops and investing in land use efficiencies. This regional investment is a great thing. It feeds the supporting businesses, businesses that are families’ livelihoods.
Of course many in the growing sector have also invested heavily in the dam itself. Hundreds of irrigators and rural people have bought shares in Waimea Irrigators Ltd to help fund the dam, while also paying an additional share in general rates.
The people of Century Water in particular should be thanked for buying the capital notes to underwrite shares not yet sold.
Yes, all of us ratepayers wish it was built quicker and cheaper, but now that it is built, we need to look ahead at our positive future.
Unlike many other New Zealand regions we are now lucky to have abundant water at the peak of summer. We are the envy of many other regions throughout the country who are still struggling to progress similar projects.
The dam will be just as important in 100 years and more, long after the people have been forgotten.
This long, hot and dry summer could have been dire for the region if it was not for the dam.
It feels fantastic to know we will get through this summer and those in the future, for the benefit of all.