We’re upgrading meters that measure groundwater and river water use to support better outcomes for our customers, including how entitlements can be managed.
New technology is enabling monitoring in near-real time to support more efficient water use. So far, we’ve connected 2,158 automated meter reading devices across southern Victoria. Next up we’re preparing to install devices in the Latrobe Valley, under a two-year plan to roll out automation technology to a remaining 1,700 meters.
We'll also be upgrading existing meters to 'pattern approved' meters in the Bungaree area, near Ballarat. This will ensure meters are effective for years to come, as well as supporting a future transition to automation.
Meters are required to measure and track water use against the approved entitlement – the amount a property is entitled to take. This ensures the equitable and efficient management of water resources for Victoria's rural communities and the environment under the Water Act 1989.
Initiating automation in the Latrobe
In the Latrobe Valley, we’re installing a radio network system to activate automated reading of around 500 groundwater and river meters.
Automated meter reading can help improve on-farm efficiency, as usage data is collected daily and available on request for customers to manage their water.
Program Manager Metering Modernisation, Terry Clapham, said automation also reduces the need for Southern Rural Water field officers to visit properties to read bore and surface water meters.
“This helps protect biosecurity on farms and allows extra time for our field staff to address customer queries,” Terry said.
“We’re excited to continue the roll out of automated meters in the area,” he said. “Once our new radio network is live, field officers will be installing automated meter reading devices around Moe, Neerim and Warragul.”
These automation devices will provide more detailed data, for a clearer picture of water usage.
“This helps Southern Rural Water to make more informed operational decisions in terms of water resource management to benefit users and the local environment.”
Works are currently also being carried out in and around the La Trobe River, Mitchell River, Sale, Rosedale, Yarram, Giffard and Denison.
“We’ll continue to provide broader metering action plan updates in our newsletter and website, as well as engaging directly with customers,” Terry said.
Replacing meters for greater reliability and accuracy
In Bungaree we'll replace existing meters with 162 pattern approved meters, which meet current Australian standards.
The new meters will be reliable for years to come and enable future capability to access water usage online, such as from a laptop or phone.
This upgrade is consistent with Southern Rural Water’s metering action plan, which will see 578 meters replaced by the end of June 2023. In the next five years, we plan to replace a further 1,200 meters with pattern approved meters.
Bungaree has been identified as a priority area, based on usage and to ensure water resources are protected.