Soils

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (e) (iv) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

Soil Types and Risk Profiles

Papapamu Soils

Papapamu effluent area consists Pahau and Ngapara soils, of which the majority are Ngapara soils which are low risk FDE Category D land when on less than 7 degrees slope Papapamu is flat land. According to Dairy NZ industry best practice the maximum effluent irrigation depth allowed is 25mm using a low rate tool when a soil water deficit is identified that is greater than the application rate. This is achieved by application using low rate tools, specifically centre pivots which can apply as little as 3mm and up to 11mm, and also through effluent pods if needed. Bucket tests for the pivot and the pods are used to verify application rates and soil moisture deficit is determined soil moisture probes. The application rate must not result in exceeding Field Capacity.
Pahau soils are high risk FDE Category B and allow 25mm application with a low rate tool. 

• • 1. 1. • Papapamu Soil Map

          • Ngap_11

  • Moderately deep silt loam.

  • Moderately well drained.

  • High profile available water (58mm).

  • FDE risk category D (under 7 degrees)

    1. 1. • Paha_3

            1. • Deep silt loam.

               • Imperfectly drained.

               • Moderate profile available water (47mm)

               • FDE risk category B   

Huntly Soils

Huntly is almost entirely Ngapara soils which are low risk FDE Category D land when on less than 7 degrees slope. Huntly is flat land. According to Dairy NZ industry best practice the maximum effluent irrigation depth allowed is 25mm using a low rate tool when a soil water deficit is identified that is greater than the application rate. This is achieved by application using low rate tools, specifically centre pivots which can apply as little as 3mm and up to 11mm, and also through effluent pods if needed. Bucket tests for the pivot and the pods are used to verify application rates and soil moisture deficit is determined soil moisture probes. The application rate must not result in exceeding Field Capacity.

• • 1. 1. • Huntly Soil Map

          • Ngap_11

  • Moderately deep silt loam.

  • Moderately well drained.

  • High profile available water (58mm).

  • FDE risk category D (under 7 degrees)

Butter Barn Soils

Butter Barn is almost entirely Steward soils which are low risk FDE Category D land when on less than 7 degrees slope. Butter Barn is flat land. According to Dairy NZ industry best practice the maximum effluent irrigation depth allowed is 25mm using a low rate tool when a soil water deficit is identified that is greater than the application rate. This is achieved by application using low rate tools, specifically centre pivots which can apply as little as 3mm and up to 11mm, and also through effluent pods if needed. Bucket tests for the pivot and the pods are used to verify application rates and soil moisture deficit is determined soil moisture probes. The application rate must not result in exceeding Field Capacity.

• • 1. 1. • Butter Barn Soil Map

          • Stew_1

  • Shallow silt loam.

  • Well drained.

  • Moderate profile available water (47mm).

  • FDE risk category D (under 7 degrees)

Return Period

The pivots have a return period as low as four days, but they apply very little effluent to a given location each time.

The pods have a return period of at least seven days, but in practice this is more because the pivots are the primary means of spreading effluent.

Subsurface Drains

No subsurface drains are known to be in the effluent area.

Critical Source Areas

There are few critical source areas due to the flat nature of the farm. Where effluent is applied to critical source areas it is with low rate applicators and only when soil moisture deficit is sufficient that run off will not occur.

Operational Procedures and Maintenance

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (f) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

• Roof water is diverted away from the effluent system to minimise volume of effluent created and therefore maximise storage.

• Stored effluent is applied whenever conditions allow so maximum possible storage volume is available at any given time.

• Issues with the effluent system are to be reported to Ed.

• Only trained staff are to operate the effluent system but all staff are to monitor it and report issues.
  
  
  

Operating Procedure

• Establish there is a soil moisture deficit. This doesn't need to be done every time - only if there has been rain since the last reading. Do not apply effluent if there is already ponding, if cows will graze it within 24 hours, or if the ground is frozen or covered in snow.

• Select application area to maximise an even rotation around the entire effluent area then check that effluent will not enter a waterway - including over land, directly or indirectly or through storm water or pipe. Only apply effluent within the effluent area on the map above.

• Consider wind direction to prevent effluent spray or odour leaving the boundary. Do not apply effluent within 50m of the boundary upwind of the boundary in more than fifteen knots of wind.

• Check the irrigator is set up, including that drag hose bends have a radius of 1.5m to prevent kinking.

• Start pump. Listen for unusual noise which may indicate a fault.

• Inspect system as detailed below.

• Record effluent application in the dairy diary.

Minimisation of Effluent

• Limit flow on D gate to minimum.

• Pre-wet concrete ahead of milking to speed up hose down at the end.

• Cooler water used for washdown.

• ORC Fact sheets provide guidance for staff in addition to training in accordance with this template. Only trained staff are to operate the effluent system, however all staff are responsible for reporting any issues to Ed.

Risks

• In places effluent is applied close to boundaries and waterways. Effluent is not applied unless a suitable soil moisture deficit is measured to reduce the chances of run off to these sensitive locations. Wind conditions are taken into account to prevent effluent leaving the effluent area.

• Water troughs to be avoided by pods, or by VRI where possible to mitigate risk of contaminating stock drinking water.

• VRI is used to ensure effluent is not spread within 50m of Waikoura Creek.

• Verified low rates of application mitigate the risk of leaching of effluent.

• Effluent infrastructure has been designed to reduce the risk of neighbours experiencing odour by discharging diluted effluent.

Solids

In accordance with permitted activity conditions 12.C.1.4A of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

• Solids are spread as required when the solids separator reaches solid storage capacity. It cannot be spread on the same area more than once every two months and is preferably spread by incorporating into cultivation of land.

• Solids are not spread onto land when the soil moisture exceeds field capacity; or within 20 metres of waterways, or the farm boundary. 

• Solids are also not spread where previous applications are still visible on the ground, or where soil moisture exceeds field capacity.

• Hazardous substances, hazardous waste and human effluent is not to be added to the effluent system.

Inspection, Monitoring and Reporting

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (g) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

Inspections

Inspect the system for leaks, ponding and run off each time the pump is started up and in between shifts. Weak points are at the hydrants and the feeder hose. Check for kinks in the hose, holes, leaks or blowouts. Check that the nozzles are not blocked and are under pressure, and that the irrigator is moving and operating normally. Leaks, ponding, run off and flow through drainage can cause the effluent to enter a waterway which must not occur.

As part of the monthly shed inspection check the area below the storage pond for wet patches, areas of grass that are greener than the grass surrounding it or any other signs of leaking from the pond. Include a check of the stone traps to ensure they aren't becoming blocked. Check for cracks in concrete or other signs of deterioration that may lead to leaks.

Bucket tests are completed on the irrigators at least once every three years to verify application depth and rate. Application rate can be adjusted on the centre pivots between 3mm and 11mm.

• 2023 Bucket Tests

Monitoring

In addition to the checks after start up staff are to check the same components while the effluent is running if they are passing the irrigator during the day.

All staff are to report any odour from the system to the farm owner if it reaches the farm boundary, or if any complaints are received about the effluent system including odour.

Reporting

When a leak, ponding or run off are discovered the pump must be turned off immediately and the fault reported to the farm owner within half an hour. Where possible the problem should be fixed immediately and recorded on the Whatsapp.

For major issues that can't be repaired in-house contact engineer Johnny Grumball at JG Pumps and Maintenance on 0274 882 2099. 

Effluent applications are recorded in the dairy diary and reported at audits.

Pond Drop Test Records

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (h) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

Pond drop tests are not required for above ground effluent tanks. Storage is a permitted activity because DESC and Visual Inspection requirements are met.

DESC

• Butter Barn DESC

• Papapamu DESC

• Huntly DESC

Visual Inspection 

• Butter Barn 

• Papapamu

• Huntly

Next due 13th June 2028.

Contingency Measures

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (i) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

The effluent system has several measures to prevent discharges to water:

• Staff training

• Monitoring

• Low rate application systems.

• Large storage tanks. We never know when we will need to pump to storage or when we can empty the storage so we use every opportunity to drain effluent out of storage and apply to the paddocks. If there is effluent in storage and the soil has the appropriate soil water deficit to irrigate then emptying storage is a priority.

• Low water use creates less effluent. See effluent minimisation above.

Leak Response

In accordance with Schedule 21 (2) (j) of the Otago Regional Plan for Water

• When a leak, ponding or run off are discovered the pump must be turned off immediately and the fault reported to the farm owner within half an hour. Where possible the problem should be fixed immediately and recorded.

• For major issues that can't be repaired in-house contact engineer Johnny Grumball. 

• If a leak is detected in an effluent storage tank it must be emptied as soon as possible within the limits of the soil water deficit and the leak found and repaired.

Effluent Complaint Record

A register of effluent complaints must be available to the Otago Regional Council on request. If a complaint is received use this form to collect the following information:

(a) The date, time, location, and nature of the complaint

(b) The name, phone number and address of the complainant – unless the complainant elects not to supply, this information

(c )Action taken by the consent holder to remedy the situation and any policies or methods put in place to avoid or mitigate the problem occurring again.