Itron begins water meter installation in Australia

Itron has commenced installation of a wireless fixed network system to track water consumption in the town of Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia.

Cairns Regional Council chose the company to install its advanced water metering solution under the Port Douglas Demand Management Campaign.

Under the six-month project, an advanced water technology will be implemented by the company to help the utility monitor water consumption and optimise supply according to demand.

Itron’s smart metering infrastructure solution will allow the utility to provide improved water services to its customers.

Itron Australia general manager Sheena Trumble said the company’s water solution will allow the town to maintain its existing infrastructure going forward.

"We are pleased to equip our customer with a system to help manage fluctuating water demand and implement conservation programmes," Trumble said.

Cairns Water general manager Bruce Gardiner said Itron’s advanced metering solution will enable the utility to collect data remotely rather than sending a meter reader to collect information.

"This initial project is part of a larger water management effort, partially funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Water for the Future and National Water Security for Cities and Towns programmes," Gardiner said.

"Our vision is to better understand water usage within the area, increase the number of proactive asset management systems implemented across the region, and reduce demand on current water sources."

In 2011, the Water Corporation of Western Australia deployed 13,500 Itron water meters, network infrastructure and associated software as part of its project to manage the city of Kalgoorlie’s resources.