A trial of new technology to monitor and manage effluent pollution run-off has begun near Omakau and Hawea Flat.
The channel lysimeters, a drainage collection system developed by Landcare Research, are one of the new tools the Otago Regional Council hopes will help farmers monitor their effect on waterways.
Environmental information and science director John Threlfall said at a recent meeting the first lysimeter was installed on an Omakau dairy farm in July and despite the recent snowfalls, no leachate had been recorded.
Soil moisture probes and telemetry for rainfall, leachate volume and soil moisture were about to be installed on the farm also.
During the next 12 months the amount effluent going through to groundwater and rainfall events would be sampled.
Two lysimeters were also being installed on a Hawea Flat farm due to be converted to dairy in about a year.
The lysimeters went about 1.5m-2m deep into the soils and were put in places soils were considered to be at most risk of effluent and irrigation run-off.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said it was "outstandingly good news" that despite the snow, Omakau's lysimeter had not picked up any leachate.
The Hawea lysimeters would enable the council to get readings from its existing land use and then measure the effect of dairying once the conversion had taken place.
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said the Hawea community should realise that "though an activity is proceeding under a permitted activity rule, it still has to meet some stringent rules for that permitted activity to occur".
