In a new collaboration between Waiharakeke Farm, the Piako Catchment Group, and the Waikato Regional Council, three AquaWatch water quality monitoring tools have been strategically deployed across the farm's diverse landscape. These cutting-edge water monitoring devices have been positioned at key locations, including an open farm drain, a riparian area adorned with one-year-old plantings, and the pristine waters of the Waiharakeke river itself.
This strategic deployment will enable the utilisation of real-time water quality monitoring data, proactive decision-making, and sustainable farming practices.
Real-Time Water Quality Measurement: Building Resilient Farms
The deployment of AquaWatch Waka devices at three distinct locations within the same catchment area provides farmers and decision-makers with accessible, continuous, and real-time data from multiple monitoring sites about the quality of their water. This real-time data empowers the farm to promptly detect and respond to changes, ensuring that decisions are proactive and farm-scale alterations are visible at the speed of data transmission.
Catchment Scale Monitoring Made Easy
Traditionally, monitoring water quality monitoring across a catchment posed significant logistical and data management challenges. However, with the deployment of the AquaWatch water monitoring tools, this process has been streamlined. The devices offer invaluable insights that simplify catchment-scale water quality monitoring, providing an accurate and comprehensive view of the entire area.
Long-Term Data, Long-Term Solutions
The deployment of the AquaWatch devices enables the collection of long-term data. Continuous monitoring over extended periods allows for the identification of trends, patterns, and areas of concern that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
"Providing detailed, continuous data equips farmers, environmental stewards, and policymakers with the ability to target the most stressed waterways, leading to longer-term and higher-impact changes that benefit both agriculture and the environment," says Abi Croutear-Foy, Chief Growth Officer at AquaWatch.
Benefits of Using AquaWatch: A Water Health Monitoring System
The AquaWatch system brings a host of benefits that make it an indispensable tool for water health management and environmental stewardship:
Real-Time Water Health Data: AquaWatch provides immediate access to real-time water health data, ensuring that changes are detected promptly and accurately.
Versatile Monitoring: It is a versatile system capable of monitoring water quality in rivers, streams, and lakes, making it adaptable to a wide range of environmental settings.
Challenging Conditions: AquaWatch has been designed to operate effectively in remote and challenging conditions, ensuring reliable data collection even in the harshest of environments.
Swift and Effective Action: By offering actionable insights, AquaWatch empowers users to take swift and effective action to protect water quality, safeguarding both agricultural interests and the natural environment.
The farm-scale deployment of AquaWatch Waka on Waiharakeke Farm will help to harmonise agricultural practices with responsible environmental stewardship. As these monitoring devices continue to provide valuable data, they will enhance the resilience of farms and contribute to the long-term conservation of our precious water resources.