Who we are
About us
The Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) is a non-profit community led group bringing together agencies to enhance Hekeao/Hinds water systems for the environmental, recreational, cultural, domestic and agricultural benefit of the community.
HHWET Water Enhancement Projects include the Managed Aquifer Recharge project (MAR) which is New Zealand's largest managed groundwater rehabilitation project.
The Hekeao/Hinds catchment is within the borders of Mid Canterbury. The Pacific Ocean forms our eastern coastline, and the Southern Alps form the western boundary. We are bordered to the north by the Ashburton River and to the south by the Rangitata River. This farming area is among the most productive irrigated agricultural districts in New Zealand.
Increased farming intensity, climate change and other demands on our water resource have resulted in adverse environmental effects – namely reduced water quantity and also reduced quality because of increased nitrate concentrations.
HHWET Goals
Target and protect drinking water supplies
Enhance groundwater quality
Improve baseflows to spring-fed streams and rivers
Improve and sustainably manage groundwater storage
Complementary tools employed include: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), Near River Recharge (NRR), Targeted Stream Augmentation (TSA), irrigation nutrient recycling, constructed wetlands, and bioreactors.
