Low-flying chopper with unusual load to buzz over Hawke's Bay to map underground aquifers

The community may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hoop hanging from a cable from around 20 January. Photo / Supplied

A low-flying chopper towing an unusual load will buzz over Hawke's Bay this summer as the Hawke's Bay Regional Council conducts a groundbreaking multi-million dollar project to 3D map the region's aquifers.

It's the first time any council in the country has used airborne electromagnetic survey technology, known as SkyTEM.

Council science manager Dr Jeff Smith says the region's aquifers are in effect having a scan to see what they look like inside, and greatly improve understanding of how they are working so they can be kept healthy for the future.

"The regional council, in partnership with the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and GNS Science, is spending money on tried and true, cutting edge Danish SkyTEM technology that has been used extensively overseas," he said.

The total cost for the project is $4.3 million. It's a joint effort with the PGF contributing $2.15m, the regional council $1.85m and GNS Science assisting with $300,000.

Smith said the community may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hoop hanging from a cable from around January 20, 2020 until the beginning of March.

It will fly over the Heretaunga Plains, Ruataniwha Plains and Otane and Poukawa Basins.

The helicopter won't be flying over built up urban areas like Napier, Hastings and Havelock.

Smith says the SkyTEM technology will give a 3D view up to 300 metres deep underground which no one has ever seen before, to truly understand how the aquifer systems work.

"Water management is crucially important for the future of our region. The more we know about our aquifers and how they are working, the better our decision making can be.

"The information from the 3D aquifer mapping survey has significant value for the community in understanding the region's water resource.

"The results will be freely shared and available to tangata whenua, other councils and community groups."

The 3D aquifer mapping project is one of four freshwater projects announced during the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) allocations to Hawke's Bay in June.

The others are a whole-of-region freshwater assessment, and pre-feasibility investigations on a Heretaunga Flow Enhancement /Water Storage Initiative and a Tukituki Water Security Initiative.

GNS Science is working closely with the regional council on the project.

It says that internationally, similar initiatives have resulted in significant advances in the mapping, modelling and management of groundwater systems.