Pond course builds expertise

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 16 May 2013

Pond course builds expertise

A course, being run nationwide, is giving contractors and designers of farm dairy effluent ponds a chance to build their expertise and stay up-to-date on industry developments.

DairyNZ, in conjunction with InfraTrain New Zealand and New Zealand Water and Environment Training Academy Consultants (NZWETA), established the Farm Dairy Effluent Pond Design and Construction Course last year.

The course, developed by industry professionals led by Opus International Consultants, is being held in Hamilton, Taupo, Oamaru, Palmerston North and Christchurch. Companies can still register at nzweta.org.nz.

Representatives from more than 70 companies have already completed the course.

DairyNZ sustainability team leader, Theresa Wilson, says dairy farmers benefit from having highly skilled people building their ponds and is urging companies to sign-up.

“Companies are really stepping up to the plate by attending these courses. These are specifically designed to help them meet the standards for the design and construction of ponds, outlined in the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Practice Note 21,” says Theresa.

“The entire process of constructing an effluent pond is covered by this pond design and construction course, from planning through to testing and commissioning. Everyone in the construction process has an important part to play and will benefit from familiarising themselves with the standards.”

Hugh Ratsey from Opus says the companies are put through their paces during the course.

“Dairy farmers can be confident that those who have completed this course have the knowledge to provide an effluent pond built to industry good practice,” says Hugh.

“The course includes a series of workshops with emphasis on practical learning.”

InfraTrain chief executive Philip Aldridge is looking forward to more companies taking up the opportunity to attend the three-day course.

“Effluent management has been a priority for the dairy industry over the last few years. These courses acknowledge that by including information on new developments, regulations and research that result in better management of effluent.”

For more information or to register visit www.nzweta.org.nz.

Those who have completed the course can be viewed on the InfraTrain register www.infratrain.co.nz/Dairy_Effluent.htm

Course dates:

Hamilton, 28-30 May
Taupo, 18-20 June
Oamaru, 3-5 July
Palmerston North, 9-11 July
Christchurch, 23-25 July

-ENDS-

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