The NSW Government is implementing a high-tech water metering telemetry system.

Aaron Walker, from the government’s Water Renewal Taskforce, says the new system is close to operational.

“Now that the cloud-based telemetry system is being rolled out, water users can arrange for duly qualified persons to order and install telemetry equipment, such as local intelligence devices (LIDs), as they become available,” he said.

“This will enable the secure transmission of water extraction data from water users to the department, delivering tangible benefits to the government, water users and the general community.

The government hopes that using LIDs that can record and transmit water take data in real-time will help support floodplain harvesting measurement rules.

The new system will collect and store data received from LIDs and pass it on to the Natural Resources Access Regulator, WaterNSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment-Water. Water users will also be able to access their information via a private online dashboard.

This information will be used for compliance and enforcement when new metering rules come into force.

“Landholders, with surface water pumps 500mm and above, need to have telemetry installed by 1 December 2020. Having the new telemetry system operating now gives landholders enough time to make sure they have LIDs in place and talking with the new telemetry system before the deadline,” Mr Walker said.

“All other metered surface water works (except pumps less than 200 mm) need to have telemetry installed by the regional roll-out date.”