Everything is flowing ahead for the Manuherikia Catchment Water Strategy Group.
Feasibility study project manager Kate Scott said the group had chosen environmental and geotechnical consultants Golder Associates as the lead contractor for the the feasibility study.
''Golder's will be working with a number of sub-contractors, including Arrowtown-based [companies] Compass AgriBusiness and Rationale Ltd, who will jointly carry out the work relating to both on-farm and off-farm economic studies,'' Ms Scott said.
AgResearch would also be carrying out research related to water quality and nutrient management, she said.
The appointments were formally announced at the launch of the feasibility study in Alexandra on Monday.
When contacted by Southern Rural Life, Golder Associates water management team leader Richard Little said the company was ''absolutely thrilled'' about being selected as lead contractor.
Golder Associates offered a wide range of services and it was ''great that lots of arms of Golder get to work together for the community'', he said.
The group is assessing options for water storage in the catchment and there are a number of options available including raising the Falls Dam by 5m, 8-12m or 27m and an option to build a new dam at Mt Ida.
Golder is also considering the feasibility of distribution options for the scheme including extending the Matakanui Race, Downs Race or Home Hills Race Options.
As information about the feasibility of each option became available it would be presented to the group and the community, Mr Little said.
Golder Associates was aiming to present its findings on ''the best option or options that ... is economically viable and consentable'' by late-2014.
''We have to be objective in our assessments here, but we are very confident that there's a workable option here,'' Mr Little said.
Ms Scott said there was no deadline to begin construction of the scheme as it would be determined by the completion of the feasibility study and whether the group decided to progress any of the proposed options. It was hoped the proposed scheme could irrigate 35,000ha compared with the 15,000ha fully irrigated and 10,000ha partially irrigated at present, she said.
The group received a further boost last week as Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy formally announced an investment of $750,000 by the Irrigation Acceleration Fund towards the group's feasibility study.
Federated Farmers water spokesman Ian MacKenzie said the investment was vital to double New Zealand's export returns by 2025.