IrrigationNZ has today released an official list of accredited service providers for the water measurement and reporting programme. Accredited service providers will be easily recognised by the introduction of the IrrigationNZ "blue tick‟ logo.
IrrigationNZ championed the introduction of a national "Water Measurement & Reporting Industry Accreditation Programme‟ to enable irrigators to successfully and costs effectively implement the new government introduced water measurement and reporting regulations.
"An industry led Quality Assurance programme ensures irrigators can be 99% certain they will get an appropriate and quality service from those providers that have been accredited. It also provides a pathway to minimise the need for regulatory compliance visits, and thus cost," says IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis
Over 65 applications were received from companies proposing to provide water measurement and reporting services. An independent panel was selected to work through a rigorous assessment process that involved much further questioning and reference checks of potential service providers.
From this 61 have now been accredited to provide installation, verification, data hosting or open channel services, or a combination of these. The final accreditation lists can be found on the IrrigationNZ website www.irrigationnz.co.nz under "Water Measurement‟. www.irrigationnz.co.nz/irrigation-industry/water-measurement/.
To become accredited service providers must successfully complete assessed training within the next 12 months to prove they have the required knowledge. They must also provide evidence to demonstrate they can provide a quality service.
Once accredited the service provider's on-going performance is key. This is assessed through installation, verification, data hosting and/or open channel services being randomly audited
by regional councils/unitary authorities alongside a complaint system for irrigators. Irrigators should e-mail watermeasurement@irrigationnz.co.nz to report any performance problems.
If problems are encountered service providers are initially encouraged to rectify them and to lift their game. However, if problems persist they will lose their accreditation.
Curtis reports there has been a positive industry response to the accreditation programme.
"The majority of service providers are here for the long haul and wish to provide a quality service to irrigators. This programme identifies the "fly-by-nighters‟ effectively removing them from the market."
Regional councils/unitary authorities have also indicated they wish to adopt the accreditation programme as it is identified as the most cost-effective way forward.
All accredited service providers are permitted to use the new accredited service provider "blue tick‟ logos issued by IrrigationNZ once approval has been granted.
Further comment:
Andrew Curtis – IrrigationNZ chief executive – phone: 0274 966314