Sending staff out "divining" for water in the Ida Valley is an example of local government at its best, Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead says.
Council staff were investigating the possibility of a groundwater source being found in the Ida Valley based on geological knowledge and Glass Earth geophysical data, the natural resources committee was told last week.
Environmental information and science director John Threlfall said the aim was to find areas where it was worthwhile drilling and three areas had been identified for more investigation - an area of saturated gravels, assessment of recharge (the process by which ground water is replenished) in "kettle hole" ponds, and horizontal drilling of schist rock at the base of the western hill of the valley.
"Water yield at any of these options is not going to be large, but in such dry country better accessibility to stock water would be highly beneficial," Dr Threlfall said.
If site visits showed positive possibilities, then field drilling could take place in the next few months.
Mr Woodhead said it was "brilliant" that the council was using its expertise to help the community find water, rather leaving it to an ad hoc process.
"It's fantastic stuff. Local government at its best."
The work complemented the planned water resource study of the Manuherikia River catchment, Mr Woodhead said.
Dr Threlfall said the council had applied to the Ministry of Agriculture community irrigation fund for 50% of the cost of a study investigating water development in the Manuherikia catchment.
The 18-month project would appraise the total available water resource for the catchment, the demand for water, and provide water-users with options how best to use the available water.
It would also provide information that would allow the development of a long-term management strategy, including storage options, sources and distribution.
"It will give the community more information moving into the future."
• A water management field day catering for farmers in the Manuherikia catchment and the Ida Valley is planned for March 24 at the Becks Hall.
Council land resources officer Dylan Robertson said the new national regulations for water measuring would be discussed at the field day, as well as topical water quality issues and their implications for users.
