This is a clear indication there has been an over commitment of the water resources. Our only option is to get smarter with the use of water. In some industries future development could be inhibited. A catalyst to the placement of the embargo was the community's concerns for the state of our streams, and it is clear that there is a need for the retention of environmental flows to maintain a healthy and sustainable system. The retention of environmental flows will reduce the supply of water available for irrigation needs.
Many factors have to be considered to be able to obtain maximum production.
The success or failure often starts with the choice of the property which should take into account such things as soil type, its depth, fertility, drainage and climatic requirements for the enterprise, but very often the available water supply is overlooked, and this may have dire consequences. However this is only the start, and a potential grower needs to ensure that an infrastructure of housing, electricity, irrigation and water supply schemes, licensing have been considered in conjunction with finances. To fully appraise the benefits of irrigation, a survey and design are necessary. A good designer will provide an itemised quotation, performance details of the irrigation scheme, and details of running costs. Good water management can make a dramatic improvement in yields and quality, and in some cases can more than double production.