We’ve been modernising the Macalister Irrigation District for over 10 years, most recently completing the Newry pipeline and automating outlets to enable irrigators to use our Demand Management System this season. Thanks to our modernisation works, nearly everyone across the district has access to the Demand Management System.
So, what is a Demand Management System and what are the benefits? In simple terms, it’s a smart technology within our ordering system that manages orders and ensures water deliveries are made in the most efficient way within the capacity of a pipeline or channel.
On the network itself, the Demand Management System speaks to the Total Channel Control system which controls and manages water flow in pipelines and irrigation channels. The Total Channel Control system is a series of connected gates and sensors along an irrigation channel that automatically open and close to control water flow from the storage to customer outlets. The Total Channel Control system minimises the need for manual intervention to operate channels and results in significantly reduced outfalls.
For customers, the Demand Management System saves time and gives them more control over their water orders. They can simply log in to Waterline and place a new order, alter start times and change finish times, and adjust flow rates of current operating orders (depending on available capacity). This functionality is also available to Demand Management System customers through Waterline’s automated phone system.
Let’s step through the ordering process and see how it works in practice.
First, login to Waterline to access our ordering system. When you make an order the Demand Management System checks the system capacity to determine if your request can be fulfilled. If yes, the order is accepted, and your start time is automatically confirmed.
During times of high demand, capacity may not be available, and the Demand Management System will offer the next available time. You can choose to either accept or reject this offer. If no time is acceptable, you may lodge an unsatisfied order. Planners will then review this order and schedule manually for the next available time.
Customers that do not have access to the Demand Management System can still order via Waterline and our planning team will schedule the order within the available capacity and confirm the order details with you.
Our water ordering page has more ordering information and a guide to the demand ordering system.
Customers who make orders and manage their own orders online via Waterline really help us to work more efficiently. It frees up our planners from being stuck on the phone to getting on the tools instead, with more time to get the network running optimally during times of high demand and troubleshooting any challenges.
As the season progresses and orders ramp up, we strongly recommend you do the following to help us get water to you in a timelier way:
- Order your water online at Waterline or via our automated Waterline phone service.
- Plan watering in advance (up to 14 days) and allowing three or more days to place orders.
- Avoid making speculative orders that might not be required.
- Cancel unwanted orders in a timely manner to free up the system for other irrigators.
- Communicate early with water planners about requests for follow on or order extensions as this is not always available.
- Take water through the night to lower peak loads during the day.
- Place orders and receive confirmation before taking the water if you have a manual outlet.
- Ensuring the flow rate, duration and outlet matches the confirmed order.
- Work with the water planners about filling on-farm storages and the best time and volumes to help support the entire system.
- Create follow-on orders for multiple outlets, rather than ordering all outlets to start at the same time. Doing this creates opportunity for other irrigators to work in with their orders and for our channel systems to remain efficient as possible.
We would also like to remind all irrigators that they are responsible for managing their water use. We have a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorised water take, also known as water theft, and encourage you to regularly read your water meter to monitor use against your entitlement.
Southern Rural Water proactively monitors customer account balances through our metering, telemetry and inspection programs. Find out more by visiting our compliance pages.