Goulburn-Murray Water is currently undertaking a field testing program that will result in a better understanding of the accuracy of irrigation outlets across its region.
The program was developed by Goulburn-Murray Water to verify the field accuracy of various irrigation meters using a new portable testing rig that can accurately measure water flows on-site.
The National Water Commission is developing new national standards for irrigation meters, expected to be released for comment in April, that are likely to require field accuracies within five per cent. It will be important that Goulburn-Murray Water can demonstrate that its meters comply with the new standards.
Goulburn-Murray Water Chief Executive Russell Cooper said the testing program will provide important data on the accuracy of a range of irrigation outlets that will help shape Goulburn-Murray Water's future meter replacement strategies.
"Goulburn-Murray Water has been at the forefront of developing a testing rig with Utility Services that is specifically designed for this purpose," Mr Cooper said.
"This is an industry-first and such calibrations can now be done in the field that were not possible before.
"By undertaking these tests we can take in all of the field variables and use those to develop a common approach for a range of different meters, such as dethridge meters and electromagnetic flow meters."
"This will give us first-hand experience in how these different meters can perform from an accuracy standpoint."
The initial program will test up to 30 different meters, predominantly in the Central Goulburn area, in conditions consistent with the normal operation of the meters.
The testing rig can test flow rates of up to 16 megalitres per day. The testing sites have been selected with full cooperation with landowners, and the water used in testing the meters is being recycled and returned to the channel system.
The testing is expected to run until March and the outcomes from the program will be reported to key stakeholders.