CHIVERTON GROVE - DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

CHIVERTON GROVE
Drip irrigation system

Project Timeframe

1997 (ongoing) - Current

Project Address:

“Chiverton Grove” 

Midwestern Hwy

Cowra NSW      

Client Name:

Chiverton Gove (Thompson Family Farm)

Project Value

$1.2mil

Key Components

Drip Irrigation System & Filtration, Design and Construct, Computer, Bore Water Supply, Pump Station Works

Greg Thompson

Project Overview

The project comprises of a Drip Irrigation and filtration infrastructure that was a design and construct system consisting of 3.5km of 200mm PVC Ring Mains, and 4km of PVC Flushing Submains 100mm down to 50mm also these submains were connected to 400,000mrts of 17mm Pressure Compensated Drip tube to irrigate wine grape rows. The blocks are broken down into 30 by 4ha (10acre) blocks linked to an Irrigation bore at the rear of the property all irrigated through a central computer control system, the total area of wine grapes is 120ha (300acres) and the balance being developed to Turf blocks.

This project was started back 1995 and has been developed over the last 15 years as the farm expanded to the full acreage being fully irrigated by the end of 2025.

Works Undertaken

  • Approximately 3,500mrts of 200mm PVC PN6 Rising Mains from Bore pump site

  • 4,000mrts of 100mm down to 50mm Flushing Submains 

  • 400,000mrts of 17mm Pressure Compensated Drip tube spun out and fixed 

  • 20 meters of thrust boring under the council roads.  

  • Supply and install 1 x 55kw Electric driven submersible pump all installed with Stainless Column and Stainless Pump for longer life.

  • 1 Khrone NMI Certified Water Meters including remote display for infield monitoring and connection to WaterNSW cloud-based server, field valves and all associated connection fittings to link back into the existing mainline structure.

  • Infield Irrigation Bore monitor to measure water levels at critical times through drought conditions, to enable flow adjustments as and when required. 

  • Design supply and construct Pump Shed & Electrical Switchboard Room/ Motor control centre including variable speed pump drive, interface system to monitor bore water depth and current and cumulative flow rates to the client.

  • Testing and Commissioning of Pipeline and Pump Station

Highlights, Innovations and Key Risks

  • Design and construct system including all works irrigation, vine treasling, vine planting.

  • Upgraded pump systems to meet ongoing farm expansion and trouble-free pumping.

  • Being able to assist with pump breakdowns at critical times through crop production.

  • Mainline extension design works to link existing and adjoining farms.

  • Assisting in new Irrigation development to supply expanding irrigation requirements.

  • Supply all required maintenance as required including emergency breakdowns