An Armidale Regional Council (ARC) initiative aimed at enhancing water conservation and reducing costs for residents has been deemed a success.
As part of Council's plan to adopt innovative technology though its Brilliant Regions Strategy (BRS), ARC have adopted water saving measures in the region, partnering with Telstra, Nucleus3 (N3) and GreenBe to provide 50 Smart Water Meters to residents across Armidale earlier in the year.
The smart meters provided benefits such as automatic leak detection, daily water use tracking, water saving tips and reducing bill shock through a dedicated app.
The trial has demonstrated significant environmental and financial benefits, detecting numerous leaks and leading to substantial savings for the residents who participated in the trial.
"We've had 29 recorded leaks, these can be anything from a leaking tap, toilet or sink to full blown burst pipes and of the 29 recorded leaks we had two major leaks, saving a combined 380kl (380000 litres) and $1614 worth of savings for the customers," said Ben Marshall, Team Leader – Metering at ARC.
Local resident Robert Stevens said he saved hundreds of dollars on his water bill after he was alerted by the smart water app that he was using excessive amounts of water.
"I was away on holidays at my parents' place in Queensland when we got an alert that we were using excess water," said Mr. Stevens. "I sent my young fella around and it turned out we had a leak underground – the area was damaged after a tree fell in the area. The leaking water was running straight into the stormwater drain so we would never have noticed the leak until the next bill came in.
"The trial of the smart water meters was a huge success for us and saved us hundreds of dollars. We ended up using 18,000 litres by the time we had it fixed but it would have gone for so much longer if we weren't alerted to the excess usage by the app as it was a leak that wasn't really detectable."
ARC Mayor Sam Coupland said the Smart Water Meter trial had been a tremendous success.
"The Smart Meters have detected and addressed many leaks, saving both water and money for our residents," he said. "This initiative highlights our commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management."
The Smart Water Meters, which were installed across various homes and businesses in Armidale, provided real-time data on water usage. This allowed for the early detection of leaks, preventing water wastage, and reducing the cost burden on the community.
"The environmental benefits of this trial cannot be overstated," said Mayor Coupland. "By identifying and fixing leaks promptly, we have the ability to conserve a significant amount of water, contributing to our efforts to combat drought and promote sustainable living in the future. The financial savings for our residents are equally impressive, making this a win-win situation for all involved."
The trial's success has paved the way for a broader rollout of Smart Water Meters across Armidale in the future. The Council is currently exploring funding options, however a full rollout to all connected customers is estimated to cost approximately $4 million over a 12-month period with a yearly subscription of $252,000 to follow each year thereafter. Alternatively, a staged rollout over 10 years is estimated at $593,000 in the first year and $526,000 each year thereafter.
"We are excited about the future possibilities that Smart Water Meters bring to our community," said Mayor Coupland. "Our goal is to make Armidale a leader in water conservation and sustainability. By adopting these smart technologies, we are not only protecting our environment but also providing our residents with the tools they need to manage their water usage efficiently." – ends --
