DAIRY NEWS JUNE 23, 2015
EFFLUENT & WATER MANAGEMENT // 43
Effluent pond level tester meets council, industry standards A NEW means of monitoring change in the level of effluent ponds is now available to Southland farmers. The system, used in Waikato and Canterbury, is accurate to 0.8mm says the supplier, Opus Rural Services. The Opus Pond Drop Test (OPDT) system was developed by engineer Dr Marc Dresser, a rural consultant with the company. Dresser designed, built and tested the OPDT with engineer colleague Andy Johnson (CPEng). Dresser
now builds the equipment and trains national operators. “The test provides clear, industry accepted results that indicate with scientific precision whether a pond is leaking and by how much,” Opus says. “It does this using a 48 hour test calibrated on site in specific test liquid and data logs pond information every ten seconds, taking into account rainfall, evaporation and atmospheric pressure change. Such precision
testing helps ensure dairy effluent systems are compliant and efficient, while offering farmers accurate information to help make informed decisions as to pond replacements or repairs.” The OPDT can be used on all liners, pond types and with many liquids, providing results in line with or above regional council requirements and industry standards. The test is approved by Waikato Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, dairy companies The OPDT is already in use in Waikato and Canterbury.
OPDT system designer Dr Marc Dresser.
and DairyNZ. Opus last month met with 30 people from local council and dairy industry agencies to mark the launch of OPDT in Southland. Dresser told the group the OPDT is “desperately needed technology” because regional councils are demanding proof of pond integrity. The OPDT is calibrated on site in specific test liquid; results are logged in every 10 seconds. Results take into account rainfall,
evaporation and atmospheric pressure change. There are some prerequisites for OPDT to work. The pond must be at least 75% full. Dresser says this ensures most of the wetted area of pond sealing surface is tested. There should be no crusting in the pond and there is a wind limit. Waikato Regional Council says evidence provided by the OPDT satisfies its requirements and “is accepted as an appro-
priate test for assessing effluent pond sealing”. Environment Canterbury says it has been impressed. “We are satisfied that the OPDT satisfies the requirement
for Canterbury Regional Council in that it provides an acceptable effective standard for monitoring pond level change.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
Hydrants & Camlocks • 2 way, 3 way, 4 way, End of Line & Takeoff Hydrants • Sized for 75mm, 90mm & 110mm effluent pipe • 80 BSP threaded option for PVC pipe
• Double brackets are standard • High quality Bauer clamps • Wide range of agricultural grade camlocks
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
0800 686 334
Separators and Filtration Solutions
Numedic Ltd, 70 Riri Street, Rotorua, New Zealand P: +64 7 347 9974 F: +64 7 347 9975 E: info@numedic.co.nz W: www.numedic.co.nz