Reliable data key for WaterForce

WaterForce’s WIL liaison Alice Hamer enjoys working with shareholders to help them achieve compliance, while gathering reliable data for the entire irrigation scheme.

WaterForce’s WIL liaison Alice Hamer says getting to know WIL’s shareholders while installing flow meters on farms has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her new role.

Alice, who lives in Swannanoa, took over the WIL liaison role from Peter Leonard in mid-2023. She is based at WaterForce’s Ohoka branch office which covers the North Canterbury area and is a keen equestrian in her spare time.

“I am the sort of person who loves getting out on farm and working directly with farmers. Since 2022, we have been installing new flow meters and soil moisture probes on shareholders’ farms. We also have six new WaterForce weather stations up and running which are maintained to a high standard by our team to ensure accurate, high-quality data year-round.

“The aim is to provide shareholders with accurate, reliable and up-to-date information through the Scada Farm platform which enables them to make informed decisions about irrigation.”

When farmers log in to their Scada Farm page they can view their soil moisture status, soil temperature, rainfall, and evapotranspiration data, current and forecast weather and receive a recommendation on whether to irrigate based on all the available data.

Once the current irrigation season is finished, Alice says WaterForce will have reliable data on irrigation water use across the entire WIL scheme which will be very helpful for the cooperative’s consent renewal application.

“Last season’s data had a few gaps, but since then we have installed an additional 55 flow meters to address those gaps, and we are capturing much more reliable data now.

“Over the next five years I think we will go from strength to strength in terms of the data we can capture and as technology advances, we will have even more options to show what WIL is doing as a scheme to use water efficiently.”

Alice is happy to visit shareholders who need help with their water meters and can also provide advice on using the Scada Farm platform. She also asks farmers to inform her about any changes within their business structure so she can ensure that key people can access the platform.

“If farmers are actively using the platform, they will get the best results. I would also like to stress how important it is to have reliable data not only as proof of justified irrigation for consent purposes but to show the wider community that we are using an important resource with care and consideration.”