Smart water meters will be on trial in the Byron Shire from August 2020, say Byron Shire Council, as part of their 12-month pilot project to ‘optimise water management in the region’.
Approximately 400 smart water metering devices will be installed on residential and commercial properties in east Mullumbimby, say Council staff, along with ‘selected bulk recycled water clients in Byron Bay’.
The benefits of smart water meter devices means water consumption data can be collected and monitored by Council hourly, rather than the current process of manual water meter readings.
Council’s Manager Utilities, Cameron Clark says ‘manual water meter reads and quarterly billing mean there is a significant time period between customer use and billing.
‘Leaks can be slow and problematic to detect, resulting in bill shock for customers and increased demand on our region’s water sources and Council infrastructure’, Mr Clark said.
‘Customers will be able to track their water usage and have greater control over home budgets before the bills even arrive,’ he said.
Wireless technology?
Smart water meters use wireless, or radio technology to store and send data.
‘Council is currently tendering for the technology through an open tender process. Smart meter networks of this kind typically operate well below mobile phone frequencies, which allows greater range and longer battery life of the metering device. The selected technology will be compliant with the ARPANSA RF standard,’ said a council spokesperson.
Will people have the option to ‘opt out’?
If your property has been selected in the pilot area, then all meters within that area will be installed with a smart water meter device. The Smart Water Meter pilot project is a trial of new technology and hardware on Council-owned water meters,’ continued the spokesperson.
Access to private property
Mr Clark added that installation works may require access to private property, and water supply may temporarily be disrupted. Council will contact property owners prior to works commencing. Minor plumbing work may be required in some cases, however all work and materials for this pilot project will be at no cost to property owners.
For more information as well as frequently asked questions, visit Council’s Your Say website.
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