Narromine Shire Council has renewed its existing water meters with smart meter technology across the local LGA.

The smart water meters now used by council are an automatic meter reading system that records water use, has the ability to electronically report water usage information at regular intervals and provides instant access to data that can show leaks, set alerts to unusual high usage, water theft, peak usage and other valuable network information.

The smart water meter device detects the water meter dial rotating and transmits the current water meter reading as a small radio signal. The information is then stored in a secure database managed by Narromine Shire Council.

Council’s General Manager, Jane Redden said a benefit of the new technology is the ability for residents to be able to get valuable insights in to how they use water.

“The smart water devices and NSC Water customer portal will provide residents and ratepayers with valuable insights… allowing them to develop their own strategies to manage their consumption,” she said.

The technology helps council by enabling them to respond more effectively to usage enquiries. Other advantages include customers being able to monitor their water usage in real time, track their consumption and set alarms for over usage or early detection of leaks. All residents can use the portal, not just the property owner. Tenants with permission from their landlord are also able to sign up to the portal.

“Recently Council has been able to assist a handful of residents detect leaks and we are mindful that savings, big or small, count for our residents, businesses and the environment,” Ms Redden said.

The improved data will allow Council to monitor the condition of the town water supply networks in both Narromine and Trangie.

“One of the great benefits of the online portal is that it provides Council water staff with enhanced data about the water network and services,” Ms Redden said. "We are really hopeful the online portal will be very effective when helping customers with their water bill enquiries and monitoring their water usage."

Ms Redden said council currently receive phone calls from residents and ratepayers querying the consumption on their water bills.

"If the customer has a smart water device installed it is really easy for them to sign up to the online portal to monitor what is going on at their property," she said. "In some cases, the customer may have had visitors and they are able to see that their usage has increased on specific days or they may have filled up their swimming pool. This extra water usage can then then be accounted for and the resident has a greater understanding about how they manage and use their water.”

Smart meters have been implemented all over Australia by Councils and water authorities and have a high level of accuracy when recording. Feedback suggests residents and ratepayers in other Council areas have welcomed the customer portal and the ability to detect leaks beyond the meter at a much earlier stage, saving residents money.

Any property that has had a smart water device installed is now able to sign up to the portal via https://nscwater.narromine.nsw.gov.au/

For more information about smart water meters and the signing up to the portal please visit https://www.narromine.nsw.gov.au/residents/smart-meters