Smart water meters proposed for households

Smart meters for homes in the Armidale Region are being considered by Council to give water users greater control of their consumption and help manage the region’s overall water use.

Council will prepare a business case for the implementation of smart metering for all residential properties connected to the Armidale and Guyra town water supplies, following a resolution at Wednesday’s Council meeting.

The meeting also resolved to advise the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment that Council will seek funding for smart metering to increase the region’s water security.

“Experience in other local government areas has shown the introduction of smart water meters can reduce water use in a town water supply district by around 15%,” Council’s Interim Administrator, Viv May, said.

“The meters also enable residents to use their phones to track consumption, giving them a real-time tool to better manage their water use and, therefore, their water bills.

“Smart metering clearly has a role to play in managing water demand and empowering consumers.”

Mr May said eliminating the need for manual meter reading would save Council about $167,000 per year.

The real-time monitoring would also provide rapid alerts to Council if there is a main break or leak.

Published on 03 Nov 2020