Measurement to improve water efficiency of on-farm storages in the cotton industry
Project details
| Objective: | To measure and monitor evaporation and seepage losses from up to 135 on-farm storages across the cotton industry and monitor the impact of amelioration works. |
| Funding: | Up to $995,600 plus GST from the Australian Government towards cost associated with supporting the work program. Total value of the project is $5,100,000 with $4,104,400 being contributed by irrigators and a consortium managed by the CRC for Cotton Catchment Communities. |
| Jurisdiction: | NSW |
| Commenced: | July 2008 |
| Completion: | 30 April 2012 |
Read about the project's progress.
About the project
The project will measure and monitor evaporation and seepage losses from at least 135 on-farm storages across the cotton/grains industry and cover a geographic are from Hillston in NSW to Emerald in Queensland. It will also monitor the impact of amelioration works on 70 water storages. The project will develop best practice in management of on-farm storages, which will have relevance to a range of water using industries across Australia.
Evaporation and seepage from storages are recognised as serious issues for the irrigation sector and the project addresses the need for improved quantification of losses and adoption of cost effective amelioration strategies for on-farm storages. The project will conduct field days, farm walks, workshops, 20 whole farm water balance case studies and publish 45 measurement and amelioration case studies derived from other aspects of the project.
Project benefits
Long term objectives of the project include to:
- Enable the cotton industry to develop and promote best practice management of water storages
- Measure and monitor losses from all water storages on cotton farms with flow on to other industries
The project addresses a key area of water loss in irrigation: evaporation and seepage from storages. This is issue for the irrigation sector and the project addresses the need for improved quantification of losses and adoption of amelioration strategies for on-farm storages. The resulting case studies will provide information on the technologies, the mitigation measures and the overall management of water in storages.
The project will advance the National Water Initiative objectives of increasing water use efficiency in Agriculture.