A metering officer at Southern Rural Water has designed a water meter bracket design to be made by a regional Victorian steel fabricator to improve the rollout of automated reading of water meters across the state. His bright idea has become a winning water solution for customers and Southern Rural Water.
Southern Rural Water started automating water meter reading devices across its region in 2015. However, they had always struggled to find a consistent way to install them.
Terry Clapham, Project Manager Metering Modernisation, said that’s now been solved thanks to metering officer Jason Miller who created a prototype that’s been turned into a working design by Maffra Sheet Metal.
“The new bracket design is the equipment that holds the Taggle transmitter unit — or “tag” — that allows us to remotely receive data from meters that record water use for irrigation and livestock,” Terry said.
Jason has been working for Southern Rural Water for 18 months. His invention will make it quicker and easier to roll out this technology.
“Jason turned what he learned in the field into a practical solution. He has shown through innovation how we can significantly change how we do things safer and quicker with a better outcome,” Terry said.
A simple and winning water solution for an automated meter reading
Maffra Sheet Metal build the bracket in a single piece. It’s stronger and higher. The tag sits at the top of the bracket, with the height ensuring it can send the meter data via wireless signals.
Terry said the new bracket design benefits Southern Rural Water’s team and customers. They’re stronger and safer to install and can be just bolted onto our infrastructure.
“Early on, star pickets were used, which runs a potential risk as you don’t know what’s underground,” Terry said.
“The new bracket gives the tag itself more protection and is easier to install. It can be installed either to the left or right of the meter, and you just need two spanners.”
“We’ve ordered 200 of the new tag brackets for the eastern region. They can be adapted more broadly as we continue our automated meter reading roll out,” Terry said.
Installing automated meter reading technology is part of broader water management policy. It is an obligation Southern Rural Water must deliver as part of the Murray Darling Basin compact.
We have already rolled this technology out to much of our meter fleet and plan to near completion of the program in the 2022-23 financial year.
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