Securing water for growing population with digital water metering

Located between Canberra and the NSW Coast, the Queanbeyan-Palerang region has been growing due to its proximity to the city and rural lifestyle. This has led to water security challenges, and digital water metering is set to help.

Located between Canberra and the NSW Coast, the Queanbeyan-Palerang region has been growing due to its proximity to the city and rural lifestyle. This has led to water security challenges, and digital water metering is set to help.

The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (Council) area is experiencing ongoing population growth, which poses a significant challenge to water security. According to forecast projections, the population is expected to increase 28 per cent by 2041, rising from 66,475 to 85,084 residents, partly due to its proximity to Canberra. This growth puts immense pressure on the region’s water infrastructure and available resources, which means innovative solutions are required to ensure sustainable water management.

To address these challenges, Council has prioritised measuring and managing its water resources as a critical component of its strategy. By using digital water meters and accurately measuring water usage, Council can better identify and address losses and inefficiencies within the water network. This proactive approach is essential in safeguarding water supplies for the growing community.

“We recognise that as our population grows, so does the demand for our water resources,” said Rebecca Ryan, General Manager of Council. “It’s important that we take action now to ensure the long-term sustainability of our water supply. Our investment in digital water metering technology is a key part of our commitment to having a secure water supply.”

Digital transformation journey

Council has embarked on its digital water journey and stands at the forefront of innovation as one of the first utilities to roll out digital water meters under a newly formed partnership with Telstra and Taggle. This collaboration enables Council to leverage Telstra’s existing NB-IoT radio network while benefiting from Taggle’s comprehensive end-to-end solutions.

Telstra provides a class leading NB-IoT network that supports low-cost, utility-scale digital water meter deployments. This network coverage is extensive across the country allowing utilities to quickly and easily install meters.  Taggle provides the end-to-end solution, from project management, installation, network-as-a-service, software and integration.

When considering digital water metering, it is easy to get caught up in a technology debate. There are pros and cons for every method; however, what is important is the outcome.

Key outcomes

The key outcomes of a digital water metering program include improved customer service, more efficient water management, enhanced accuracy in billing, and real-time monitoring of water usage. The technology enables early detection of leaks, reducing water waste and associated costs. It also empowers consumers with detailed insights into their water consumption patterns, promoting water conservation. Utilities benefit from streamlined operations, more visibility into the water network, and the ability to quickly identify and address issues, leading to better resource allocation and customer service.

What the project entailed

The project’s first phase includes deploying 2,000 digital water meters, introducing an online customer portal and mobile phone app, and seamless two-way integration between Taggle’s Aqualus Water Platform and Council’s billing system, TechnologyOne.

Of the 2,000 meters being installed, the majority will be EDMI WP20s, an ultrasonic digital meter with integrated NB-IoT radio, a new meter in Taggle’s expanding range. These meters will be used predominantly for residential customers, and larger commercial meters will be retrofitted with an added Taggle telemetry device.

Council’s utilities team has completed their training with a batch of 100 meters installed and will continue to roll out the rest of the meters over the next few months. That initial batch has already revealed a number of leaks on residential properties, and in just a few weeks, it’s been shown that 100 kilolitres could be saved, a promising result for the project.

“In a region like ours, where dry spells can stretch our water resources to their limits, having the ability to closely monitor and manage demand is invaluable,” said Ryan. “The technology not only helps us conserve water but also allows residents to identify leaks early, saving them from unnecessary waste and potentially high water bills.”

Introducing digital water meters marks a significant milestone in Council’s commitment to sustainable water management. By embracing advanced technology and innovative partnerships, Council is taking bold steps to secure water resources for the growing population while enhancing the safety and efficiency of its operations.

For more information, visit taggle.com and www.telstra.com.au/business-enterprise

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