Recognising the shared value of water resources, we are engaging more with stakeholders, gathering more and improved data on environmental quality indicators and investing in site infrastructure upgrades to improve stormwater quality management across our network of sites.
In addition to helping our farmers reduce the impacts of their farming activities on water quality, Ravensdown has a programme focussed on reducing its own impact on freshwater quality. This programme includes water quality monitoring (surface and groundwater) to better understand the local environment and inform decisions regarding the most appropriate stormwater management and treatment for each site; environmental education for Store Managers; continual improvement to our environmental management system and site infrastructure improvement projects to reduce the environmental footprint (e.g. enclosing intake/dispatch areas which are high-risk areas for spills, and installing rapid close doors and dust curtains to reduce dust).
Projects completed:
- Diversion of ‘first flush’ stormwater at Christchurch Works into retention basins for low-rate discharge into trade waste network prior to discharge via ocean outfall.
- Reconfiguration of stormwater retention basin at New Plymouth Store into a treatment wetland to reduce nutrient load discharged to Mangaone Stream.
- Installation of extensive irrigation and native planting at Balfour store to manage stormwater discharge from store activities.
Projects in progress:
- Upgrading stormwater treatment and discharge via irrigation at Seadown store
- Implementing infiltration basins for stormwater treatment at Dannevirke store
- Native planting at Hinds store to receive trickle irrigation of stormwater
Meanwhile, we are working to engage with other parties to foster trusted relationships and communication channels. We have active community liaison groups associated with our manufacturing sites to improve our understanding of community impacts and expectations.