New Water Information Service

Irrigators, other consented water users and the public will be able to get faster, more accurate and transparent information on water use when a new water information services unit is set up by Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

The Regional Council has existing systems that relay data on groundwater levels, river and stream flows, and flood warnings back to the office. Some of this information is already available on the Council’s website www.hbrc.govt.nz.

The new unit will add more online services so that irrigators and other water users can get ‘real time’ information on their water use. Similarly, the public will also get better up front information on water use in the region.

“The public and water users are asking for clearer processes to manage water in the region in a push toward greater transparency. By establishing the water information services unit, we should be able to get better information to the people who need it,” said Chief Executive, Andrew Newman.

New systems will be developed to enable consent holders to get their water meter connected to Council’s telemetry system or to ‘text’ data to Council’s website.

“It should be a more automated process for consent holders to get their water meter information; in return they will be able to monitor their data online and manage their water use much more efficiently,” Mr Newman said.

The Council aims to have the service fully operational by mid 2011.

In addition, the Government’s national regulations could result in all 3000 water takes in the region being metered in the near future and the new unit will also be working to achieve this. 450 water takes are currently metered and another 200 to 300 are ready to meter.

Council is working with water meter and irrigation designers and installers to get significant savings through bulk purchasing. Council is also considering providing an option to lease water meters as a measure to help spread associated costs.

“We want to encourage the installation of good quality meters that are appropriate for the type of water being measured and that will last the distance,” said Mr Newman.

Using similar meters of a quality standard will result in more consistent and reliable data to monitor and manage the water resource. Automatic water metering will also significantly reduce compliance costs.

Mr Newman added, “Metering should be a win-win for water resource users, the council and the public who are interested in the use and future of the region’s water resources.”

Ngaruroro water take consents now require the installation of a water meter and telemetry system. The new Water Information Service unit will work with the proposed Ngaruroro Irrigator User Group to purchase and install meters and manage telemetry elements.