Taggle’s smart meter leak detection technology is to be rolled out across the Southern Downs as part of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project. $8.5 million has been locked in as part of the Queensland Government’s Big Build for around 9000 digital water meters. The project complements the $19.34 million Southern Downs Drought Resilience Package.
New smart meters were on show last week. Southern Downs Regional Council officers demonstrated the water-saving capabilities of meters already installed in Stanthorpe.
The meters will be installed throughout Warwick, Allora, Yangan, Killarney, Dalveen, Leyburn, Wallangara and Pratten. It will provide real-time data on water volumes used and pipe flow rates to help the council pinpoint leaks and save water.
The meters and monitoring system will provide data that can identify suburbs, streets or single properties where unusually high water is being used. This will help the council identify where water is being lost. It will enable actions to be taken to save every drop where possible.
The rollout is part of the Queensland Government’s more than $300 million investment in the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project and water security in the Southern Downs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Glenn Butcher:
“The Palaszczuk Government’s $8.5 million investment in smart meter technology highlights our commitment to water security right across the Southern Downs.
“The smart meter technology will help save water and improve future drought resilience. It also ensures that we minimise water loss through leaks.
“I’m pleased to see more and more Councils like the Southern Downs Regional Council committing to water monitoring and water saving technologies.”
Quotes attributable to Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi:
“We have seen how well these meters work in Stanthorpe, and we are looking forward to the rollout in Warwick.
“We know how important it is to save every drop. While our dams are currently full, we are one day closer to the next drought, so water security is crucial.”
Quotes attributable to Southern Downs Councillor Stephen Tancred:
“The data that we gather is enormously helpful and really takes water and management to the next level.
“Underground water pipes go largely unnoticed unless one breaks. But smart meters will pick up the small and hidden leaks that occur 24/7 that can potentially recover significant lost treated water which never gets delivered to a property or runs out of a tap.
“This ‘ghost water’ is what these cutting-edge meters are going to help our water team track down.
“Water has been reticulated to houses since Roman times. It’s only now we can affordably combine water pipes with remote monitoring technology and get a water-saving result. Everyone should be excited!”
This article was originally published in Inside Water Magazine