Transforming regional water management with DMAs

Narromine Shire Council has revolutionised water management by tackling leaks, boosting efficiency and embracing smart metering technologies and DMA’s.

“Non-revenue water” might sound like a back-office term, but for Narromine Shire Council, it’s become the target of a game-changing strategy. With limited water resources and ageing infrastructure, Council has dived headfirst into using Taggle Systems digital water metering and District Metering Areas (DMAs) to transform its water management. The result? Improved network management, fewer leaks, more intelligent monitoring, and unexpected revenue gains.

Narromine Shire Council is in the Orana region of New South Wales, about 40 kilometres west of Dubbo. The town is part of a broader agricultural hub known for producing wool, cotton and grains such as wheat. Out of Council’s population of about 6,500, Narromine has around 3,500 residents. The town also has a strong connection to aviation history, housing the Narromine Aviation Museum, which features a replica of a Wright Flyer. The town embodies a blend of history, agriculture and community-driven innovation.

Narromine’s story is one of innovation and persistence. By overcoming initial scepticism, training teams and addressing customer bill shock, Council has shown that modernising water management relies as much on people as on technology.

Breaking the network into pieces

A District Metered Area (DMA) represents a specific section of a water distribution system that is separated for monitoring and management. Utilities can efficiently monitor water flow, detect leaks and enhance operations in each area by segmenting the broader network into smaller, more manageable zones. By comparing the water flow entering the area via a digital network meter, with the water leaving the network via digital meters at every property, it is easy to identify any fluctuations or water losses in the network.

This strategy allows for the precise identification of problems, such as water loss. Additional pressure sensors highlight pressure fluctuations, significantly boosting the efficiency and reliability of the water supply. DMAs serve as a fundamental aspect of contemporary water management, enabling targeted focus on system segments to minimise non-revenue water and elevate overall performance.

Narromine’s adoption of DMAs is rooted in practicality. By segmenting the water network into manageable areas, Council has unlocked a new level of efficiency.

“The ability to segment it down into smaller chunks is invaluable,” said Doug Moorby, Manager of Utilities at Narromine Shire Council. “Anytime you need to eat an elephant, you’re better off to eat an ear at a time rather than try to eat half the elephant in one hit.”

This segmentation approach has allowed Narromine to focus on pinpointing issues such as leaks, pressure irregularities and unmetered connections. The region’s geography played a pivotal role in setting up the DMAs.

“Our major centre, Narromine, was pretty straightforward,” Moorby said. “The whole town has always been split along the railway track, which divides it in half.”

Pressure sensors installed in the DMA framework represent an innovative advancement in leak detection.

“Most leaks usually move downward rather than upward, making them more challenging to detect. The sensors assist us in monitoring changes and validating findings with hydraulic models,” said Moorby.

Smart meters bring confidence

Narromine’s success has been critical to its integration of Taggle smart meters and telemetry systems. These systems provide real-time data that enhances operational oversight and supports financial transparency.

“The local operators here used to spend between 12 and 16 weeks a year reading water meters,” Moorby said. “Now, with Taggle, it’s a lot simpler.”

The data from smart meters has highlighted inefficiencies, such as unmetered connections and underreported consumption.

Training has been central to overcoming resistance to technology.

“We trained our team to install the meters themselves, which made them more invested in the project,” Moorby said. “It wasn’t just about technology; it was about building confidence and ownership.”

Despite the challenges, including initial customer scepticism about billing accuracy, the long-term gains have outweighed the teething issues.

“There was some bill shock because many older meters underreported consumption,” Moorby said. “But the overall system accuracy has been a win for everyone.”

The digital meters have improved Council’s ability to address leaks in a timely manner, which has brought tangible benefits. For instance, a 900-litre-per-hour leak in a commercial property was detected early thanks to the digital meters.

“Initially, people doubted the meters, but they eventually found the leak, proving their value,” Moorby added.

A forward-thinking approach

Council isn’t stopping with its current success. Moorby is focused on utilising the data collected from the system to gain as many insights as possible. The DMA setup is built and managed within Taggle’s Aqualus Water Meter Data Management Platform, which provides all the tools to manage a fleet of digital water meters, including everything from customer relationships to billing, water analytics, and field installation and maintenance work.

Narromine’s proactive approach to water management is setting an example for other councils. The adoption of DMAs has streamlined operations and improved data reliability, paving the way for more sophisticated management techniques.

“The ability to run a point-in-time consumption analysis is priceless,” Moorby said. “It helps you identify and address issues before they escalate.”

For utilities hesitant about DMAs, Moorby has clear advice adapted in part from a famous sportswear brand.

“Do it. Get your staff and engineers to engage, learn, and adapt. The results speak for themselves.”

Real results, tangible savings

Narromine’s commitment to innovation has already delivered measurable outcomes. Council has improved revenue and water efficiency by addressing long-neglected issues such as outdated meters and undetected leaks.

The financial benefits are only part of the story. Enhanced data accuracy has also allowed Narromine to identify illegal connections and enforce compliance.

“Another huge saving is reducing non-revenue water. By focusing on one of the DMA’s, we have managed to get it down to just 2 per cent water loss from 6 per cent in November, which is amazingly low. Australian utilities frequently lose around 30 per cent in the network, so we are really pleased with our results,” he said.

Narromine’s experience demonstrates that smarter water solutions are not only achievable but also transformative. With ongoing innovation, Australian utilities can adopt efficiency, minimise water loss, and secure resources for the future. The question is no longer whether to embrace these technologies but how quickly they can be put into practice. The water industry’s next chapter is being written—and it’s getting smarter by the day.

For more information, visit taggle.com and narromine.nsw.gov.au