The BCI stage one project has built infrastructure to use up to eight cumecs of water from the Rakaia River at Highbank.
TrustPower Limited has installed intake, fish screening and pumping facilities to deliver the water to the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) utilising some of the existing Highbank Power Station facilities.
Water swap arrangements managed by RDR Management Limited have allowed the water to be delivered to a pipe network across the upper plains. The water is siphoned from the RDR to buffer ponds in the Highbank, Methven, Ashburton Forks, Buccleugh and Mayfield areas. The initial distribution network includes five main pipelines with a total of 70km of pipe.
Automation and modifications to the RDR, the buffer storage and distribution network is financed through a Joint Venture between BCI and local electricity lines cooperative Electricity Ashburton Limited.
A further three cumecs of water is being used through licence arrangements with Rooney Group Limited to operate the Acton Scheme in the Rakaia and Pendarves area. Stage one is using the first of the consented BCI water take on arable, dairy and intensive pastoral farms.
Stage two of the BCI project will see the construction of a canal to deliver the remaining irrigation water to Mid Canterbury by gravity. Significant electricity generation in conjunction with water currently under application by Ashburton Community Water Trust is planned. This stage will also likely include sizeable foothills storage to provide the BCI and other irrigators in the district with improved reliability of supply.
Why is BCI vital for Mid Canterbury?
The BCI Project is important because Mid Canterbury farmers have few alternative sources of new irrigation water.
The upper plains has limited ground water opportunities due to water depth and over-allocation. BCI stage one will take the pressure off further allocation of the district’s ground water resources.
The project will also provide for more balanced use of the district’s water and energy resources. The use of “run of river” water in the upper plains will significantly reduce energy consumption for pumping and provide further ground water recharge in the lower plains. Electricity generation within the scheme will provide the district with a valuable source of renewable energy generation.
Over a period of time, it is expected there will be a shift from deep well use in the upper plains if a “run of river” supply is available.
