This is part of a three-year region-wide project to expand and upgrade the groundwater monitoring network and provide a more accurate picture of water levels and quality.

There are to be 3 new bores drilled in the Kakanui area south of Oamaru in the North Otago Volcanic aquifer and a further 8 across the Waitaki Plains in the Lower Waitaki Plains aquifer.

The bores, expected to be drilled to depths ranging from 10 metres to 30 metres, will be located on publicly owned road reserves, on sites approved by the Waitaki District Council.

Drilling commenced in July and work will carry on through August, with each borehole expected to be completed within 2-3 days.

After each borehole has been completed, drillers will place a concrete pad around the pipe upstand and ORC field technicians will then install a cabinet over the top.

ORC field technicians will visit the bores monthly to check the structures, carry out any site maintenance and take a water level measurement. Groundwater from the bores will be sampled for a range of physical and chemical parameters on a quarterly basis.

The next phase of this project will be the installation of additional monitoring bores in areas of South Otago in 2023.