Metering and Offtakes
Metering
Metering of all significant water use has been undertaken in line with government policy in order to properly account for water use. Existing active licence holders with licence allocations greater than 5 megalitres (ML) per annum have had meters installed and all new licences other than domestic and stock licences are required to be metered.
Melbourne Water’s metering program was completed in 2007 and has resulted in the installation of more than 680 meters to date across the Yarra and Maribyrnong basins. Licence holders requiring a new meter or the installation of additional meters must meet the cost of metering. Meters remain the property of Melbourne Water and licence holders must not interfere with or disconnect their meter.
Metering has the following benefits. It allows:
- irrigators to manage their water efficiently and make best use of their water entitlement;
- a licence holder to transfer the water entitlement, in full or part, on a temporary or permanent basis;
- scarce water resources to be shared equitably;
- efficient, equitable and flexible management of the river system during low flow conditions;
- an accurate record of volumes diverted;
- improved compliance with allocated licence volumes;
- increases in the range of available management options during droughts and wet years; and
- the system to be managed more effectively.
Smart Meter Project
Melbourne Water is currently trialling the use of 150 dataloggers, installed on irrigation meters in the Yarra River catchment. The dataloggers record continuous meter readings and send this information to a central server. Usage information can be accessed daily by Melbourne Water and by the licence holder through a secure web page.
The aim of this project is to collect improved levels of usage data which will be used for improved hydrological modelling and enhanced water resource management decisions. For example, rostering, compliance, improving environmental flows. The data can also be used by the licence holder to make informed decisions around their water use.
Pumps and offtakes
Inlet and outlet lines, pumps and associated equipment should be set up to minimise impacts on the waterway and adjacent lands and to make sure specified environmental flows are protected at all times.
The construction or alteration of pump works and offtakes located on a waterway requires a works licence under Section 67 of the Water Act 1989. For any new pump or works on or adjacent to a waterway, you need to make a works licence application to Melbourne Water. To enable the proper assessment of your works proposal Melbourne Water requires you to submit a works plan.
A works plan should include:
- a siting map for the proposed works;
- a construction plan; and
- an operation and maintenance plan
You must obtain Melbourne Water approval before installing or modifying pump arrangements. Additional information on pump and offtake requirements is contained in the Waterway Offtake Guidelines (PDF, 52kb) document.