Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers Tuesday afternoon update)
Released 07 Sep 2010
Updates and recent developments
Meeting on Thursday:
Federated Farmers is extending an invitation to all Canterbury farmers to attend a meeting about the earthquake, on Thursday, 9 September, at Darfield High School, 7 McLaughlins Road, Darfield, from 4.30 - 6.30pm. We have now compiled an agenda for this event and the line-up will be as follows:
Draft agenda:
What a week - Federated Farmers earthquake meeting
MC: Conor English, Federated Farmers Chief Executive
4.30pm Meeting opening and welcome
- Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President
- Neil Stott, Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president
- Murray Rowlands, Federated Farmers North Canterbury Grain & Seed chairperson
4.35pm What happened - University of Canterbury and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science
4.40pm Local government response to earthquake
- Selwyn District Council - Nigel Barnett (TBC)
- Environment Canterbury - Don Rule, Director of Resource Planning and Consents
5.05pm Tips for managing stress
- Regional Rural Recovery Group
5.15pm Water/Irrigation Issues
- Paul Donaldson
5.25pm Insurance
- Earthquake Commission - Reid Stiven
- Steve Beale - FMG South Island Manager
5.50pm Banking
- Westpac Bank
6.00pm Government response to Canterbury Earthquake
- The Hon Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
6.30pm Sum-up and meeting closure
- Don Nicolson, President, Federated Farmers of NZ
6.30pm Complimentary BBQ and refreshments
Regional Rural Recovery Group:
Earlier today, Federated Farmers staff members, Chief Executive, Conor English, and members of the Federated Farmers Canterbury executive met with others to convene the Regional Rural Recovery Group, which moving forward will focus on recovery, rather than recovery.
Points coming out of this morning's meeting
- Environment Canterbury (ECan) have a number of automatic recorders, which are indicating some dramatic changes to the static water levels and in most cases levels have risen. This is not uncommon given the enormity of the quake.
- More sites being checked today by ECan.
- ECan will not make site visits till next week due to not wanting to interfere with already damaged roading. Once these are complete then a more comprehensive report can be produced
- ECan couldn't make any significant comment therefore on the water quality (particles in terms of sand/silts, or bacterial), but would not be at all surprised at a significant level of disturbed silts.
- Nor would they be surprised at potential contamination of potable water bores, particularly in terms of bacteria, so are strongly recommending water analysis be done as soon as possible on potable water supplies. Boiling of water until this analysis is complete is strongly recommended.
- Well drillers and pump engineering operators are finding significant problems with wells with excessive volumes of silt, particularly South of the Christchurch city - from Darfield through to Lake Ellesmere. This silt is locking up pumps, or blocking filters, and in some cases pipe and fittings.
- We are suggesting there will be significant pump/well issues, with domestic potable water and stock water being the priority to address.
- Larger irrigation pumped systems will equally be subjected to the silt issue. (although we have run a large bore pump in Darfield which has a bore depth of 180m and quality of water looks fine, so possibly the shallower domestic and stock water wells may have suffered more.)
- Water storage tanks will be of concern, particularly older concrete supply tanks, with structural damage. Tanks, both plastic and concrete may have subsided causing damage to pipe and valving as a result.
- Underground pipelines will have suffered although we suspect localized to the areas that received actual fission.
- Stock water lines should not have suffered significantly, being Polyethylene pipes and able to sustain some lateral movement.
- Concrete Plinths for pump sheds, and pivot center points could well have suffered structural damage. Pumpset anchors could well have loosened or completed sheared.
- Irrigation plants generally should not have suffered significantly, however with the earth movement, bridge crossings for center pivots, underground guidance cables, etc could well be out of alignment. Also anchor points for drag hose irrigators like the Roto Rainer should be tested.
Recommendations:
Power - Electricity is dangerous so always assume live power
- Beware of surface water around electrical hardware and fallen lines or any other unusual things
- Turn off mains if power cut, unless factors above make this too dangerous. If any doubt, do NOT touch
- Check for obvious damage, cut or unstructured lines, cable damage to motors, switchboards, transformers, and poles.
- Get an electrician to check properly before turning back on.
Potable-domestic water systems from boreholes (wells) and stock water
- Once power supply is established, if possible disconnect water pipes at the pump well head and discharge water to waste to ascertain water quality and clarity. NB -Start submersible pump with a valve that is 90% closed. This will reduce "shock" intake of possible silts etc. But remember the submersible motor is relying on the velocity of water passing the motor so minimum flows to be at no less than approx 20 percent of the full flow.
- Check Water Quality, if silty/milky colour, and the silt/sand content covers the bottom of a cup, run to waste to see if water clears, once it starts to clear then open up control valve to increase flow and go through the procedure again.
- We strongly recommend a bacteria test, particularly for "shallower" bores. ECan Water Laboratory provide a bacteria test for $28.00 +GST. This includes a sterilized sample bottle kit which is obtainable from ECan on Kilmore St or by phoning 03 353 9720. They also offer a full chemical analysis for $132.00 + GST. Correct boiling of potable water is recommended until sample is tested.
- If the well fails to improve, then a redevelopment by a well driller may be necessary
- A pressure fault occurs or low pressures experienced, can indicate blocked filters, and pipes. Remember most modern taps have small filters to protect the ceramic seats so they could well be blocked.
- Blockage caused by silt in ball cocks and trough valves will be an issue.
Electric pump starting general
- Look and observe prior to starting for loose pipework, cables, motor/pump alignment, fixings, structure of pump shed, etc
- Start against a "closed head or as slowly as possible
- Listen for any unusual noises/vibrations and stop if any present
- Check pipe systems for leaks
- Check pump performance for any obvious loss of performance, in terms of pressure and flow
- Check the safety equipment like the pressure/flow switches etc
Rivers
- Check ground around pump station, and intake, intake structures, suction pipe and suction screens.
Storage dams
- Check carefully suction pipe particularly if through dam wall, look for signs of seepage
- Check overall integrity of dam, for seepage, cracks etc
Diesel-petrol pumps
- Look for obvious damage, i.e. fuel leaks, fuel tanks, misaligned pump/engine
- Be aware of the presence of fumes.
- Check for structure of chassis for any possible movement.
Pipe systems
- Gently open up valve to fill mainline as you would when commissioning a new system. This needs to take some time and do not be impatient and fill the pipe system to quickly, which will cause water hammer and further damage.
- Check for visible leakage
- Check to ensure the system comes up to the similar pressures as before the quake event.
Irrigators
- Check the physical structure of the irrigator, any cables, truss rod supports, broken welds, twists and bending,
- Concrete plinths for pivots should be checked thoroughly for structural cracks, fixing bolts secure, electrical connections and cable secure, control cabinet secure etc
- Visibly check any electrical controls, wires or connections, any doubts engage an electrician
- Check pivot and linear bridge crossings for any misalignment
- Check anchor points for wire pull irrigators like the Roto Rainer.
For further assistance, you should be in contact with your pump/irrigator supplier/well driller
0800 FARMING (0800 327 646):
The 0800 number will be taking calls until 5pm tonight and again from 8.30am tomorrow morning. The 0800 staff are collating reports of damage to try to gauge where help is needed. The lines are very busy at the moment, so please be patient. For any urgent matter after 5pm, please ring 111.
Important notices:
Insurance
Federated Farmers would like to advise members that often insurance companies will accept claims online. To avoid long phone queues we suggest that members with non-urgent claims check to see if this is the case before calling their insurance companies.
Short term weather outlook
Metservice has forecast some drizzle and light winds for Canterbury today and tomorrow, with drizzle turning into rain by dusk on Thursday. For a full update, please click here.
Civil Defence update
Civil Defence believes aftershocks in Canterbury are set to continue for the next few weeks and is warning people to stay away from buildings that are not structurally safe.
Electricity update for the Orion network
Orion has advised that by the end of today the rural high voltage network will be restored. However, small pockets of customers remain without power and Orion is working to connect these customers as soon as possible. Orion is also warning the public to stay away from low hanging power lines and to treat these lines as live at all times. Given the fragile state of the networks over the next weeks, Orion is asking customers to use power wisely.
Services for farmers:
Rural contractors available
Federated Farmers has made contact with our affiliated member - Rural Contractors New Zealand. Farmers needing works done on their property, can contact them via 0800 424 266.
Do you need volunteer physical labour?
Before Federated Farmers issues a call for volunteer labour, we wish to ascertain where this is needed (locality) and in what quantity. If you have need for physical labour please call 0800 327 646 as soon as possible.
Generators
Federated Farmers now has a number of generators available and this information has been shared with Selwyn District Council. Federated Farmers is also in contact with Orion Energy about what support farmers may be able to offer. If farmers need generators please call 0800 327 646.
Off-farm grazing
Federated Farmers is receiving offers for off-farm grazing. If you need or can offer such assistance, please call 0800 327 646. Federated Farmers is also able to able to provide stock and land leasing agreements.
Stock water
If you need or can offer assistance with stock water please contact the Selwyn District Council on 03 347 2800.
The wider community and support:
Can you offer accommodation to urban residents?
We are still awaiting details from the Red Cross/Civil Defence, but Federated Farmers wishes to collate offers of accommodation to accommodate urban residents of Christchurch. If you can offer any assistance, please register on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).
Federated Farmers Canterbury Field Officers
Federated Farmers Field Officers, Vicky O'Connor and Mark Burnside, are in contact with members and non-members. They are and additional resource and are available to coordinate with the 0800 327 646 freephone number. Vicky O'Connor can be contacted on 027 432 0218 and Mark Burnside on 027 442 3355.
If you can offer assistance or need assistance, please contact:
0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING)
For contacts in North Canterbury:
Neil Stott
Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president
Phone: 03 318 8577
Mobile: 027 355 4636
Murray Rowlands
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Grain & Seeds chairperson
Mobile: 027 242 9542
Kieran Stone
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Dairy chairperson
Mobile: 027 558 8917
Simon Sankey
DairyNZ Acting Regional Leader for Canterbury
Mobile: 021 228 3446
Dugald McLean
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Meat & Fibre chairperson
Phone: 03 313 5442
Graeme Albon
Federated Farmers Bees committee member
Phone: 021 025 20328
Wider Federated Farmers contacts:
Don Nicolson
Federated Farmers President
Mobile: 027 226 6331
Conor English
Federated Farmers Chief Executive
Mobile: 027 441 0786
David Rose
Federated Farmers Adverse Events spokesperson
Phone: 03 235 2619
Mobile: 027 414 2573
John Hartnell
Federated Farmers Bees chairperson and Grain & Seed spokesperson
Phone: 021 578 754.
Willy Leferink
Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson
Phone: 03 307 2666
Mobile: 021 796 037
David Clark
Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury Grain & Seeds chairperson
Phone: 03 303 6132
Mobile: 027 495 5202
Jeanette Maxwell
Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre vice-chairperson
Phone: 03 302 8860
Mobile: 027 357 4464
