MHV Water

Innovation, strength, organisational efficiencies and a commitment to ensuring environmentally and economically sustainable water is available for future generations. These are the cornerstones on which MHV Water Ltd (MHV) was shaped. The merging of Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Ltd and Valetta Irrigation Ltd on 1 June 2017 has created a united and stronger voice locally and regionally, promoting and progressing water and environmental issues in the Hinds Plains catchment area. Our scheme began in 1947 and by investing in science and technology, we are continuing the innovation and foresight of our predecessors. With scheme areas laying to the north and south of the Hinds River on the Canterbury Plains, MHV draws water for irrigation from the Rangitata River, through the Rangitata Diversion Race and delivers it to farmer shareholders via approx. 320km of open race and approx 100km of piped infrastructure. A Water Conservation Order determines the volume of water that can be extracted from the Rangitata and Ashburton Rivers and the minimum flow conditions which initiate restrictions. The landscape of the MHV scheme area is peppered with storage ponds, which are filled during times of low demand but designed to provide the farmer with an increased reliability of water should restrictions be imposed. As an environmentally responsible organisation, we are continually looking at how we can improve our infrastructure and support our shareholders to meet and exceed Good Management Practices. We do this by promoting irrigator responsibility and education, undertaking regular Farm Environment Plans and audits with our shareholders and looking strategically at our infrastructure for improvements. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) has proven positive results to date in increasing ground water levels and decreasing nitrate levels, and we are proud to support this initiative in our scheme area.