Designed to capture and store up to 800,000 cubic metres of water from catchment run-off, the Wai-iti Dam was officially opened on Thursday 5 October. Tonkin & Taylor has been involved with the project since 2000, initially exploring options for water storage and then, in 2004, undertaking detailed design and construction observation.
Wai-iti Dam is situated at 88 Valley, 15 km South-West of Wakefield in the Tasman District at the top of the South Island. Wai-iti Valley suffers severe water shortages most summers, so, not surprisingly, irrigators are celebrating the strengthening of water supply security in the area!
Mr John Grimston, T&T’s Water Resources Manager, believes the Community Dam is an excellent model for water augmentation in the district. A number of design innovations had helped keep the cost of the dam down. Irrigators and water users will be able to access water through direct pumping and water takes from the river and groundwater aquifer systems.
Tasman District Council’s Engineering Services Manager, Peter Thomson, commented that the release from the dam would augment the river flows during the peak summer season to give greater security of supply, whilst also enhancing the Wai-iti River’s environmental health.
The Honourable Jim Anderton, Minister of Agriculture, officially opened the Wai-iti Valley Community Dam, and the event was attended by key T&T Water Resources engineering staff as well as landowners, local councillors, council staff, iwi representatives, politicians and contractors.
For more information please contact John Grimston.
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