September 24, 2013 1

Modernisation- what doessuccess look like??

George Warne September 24th, 2013

September 24, 2013 2

Defining ‘modernisation’

Many supply systems throughout SE Australia starting to fail, but most customers believe Government will always provide water.

Drought 2006-2010 highlighted the value of water control systems

Drop boards, Dethridge outlets etc are a thing of the past for a variety of 21st C reasons ?

Genuine option for farms to develop on-farm modernisation/storage options as an alternative to full shared system modernisation (needs to be investigated)

Everyone will have a ‘critical’ list of what needs to be done- they will not be the same!

September 24, 2013 3

Two out of three……..

Low infrastructure investment

High efficiency -90%+ great service

September 24, 2013 4

What do customers want/need?

Independence in supply- move to river pumps

Water on time, every time

365 day service?

On-line ordering and real-time remote monitoring

Availability of higher flow rates for short periods

Consistent flow rates for new on-farm systems (to avoid expensive on-farm storage)

But none of the above if it is not an affordable water supply

September 24, 2013 5

What do water suppliers also want

Accurate, equitable, water metering, and in-system water measurement (including small customers)

Reduced supply system losses

System integrity (no leaks, no floods)

Reduced labour costs

Affordable operating and repair costs

Remote sensing, control and automation

September 24, 2013 6

Where does the money come from?

Within the Murray Darling Basin there are clearly more opportunities**

Generally customers reluctant to pay, despite benefits in modernisation for most

Water savings have real value

Governments everywhere keen to unload retail businesses. A dowry is an attractive option for Government.

September 24, 2013 7

What to modernise – and when??

Not possible to modernise every outlet, in every channel, in every district?

Decommissioning supply infrastructure is really hard and very unpopular

Maintaining working assets to viable customers is difficult enough……….

Governments, Boards and irrigators that are prepared to make some really tough decisions

September 24, 2013 8

Modernisation in order……….

1. A genuine understanding of future customer demand? (not by customer survey, unless pay-for-service))

2. Customer support (and understanding of why)

3. Supply systems that meet that demand

4. Measurement (meters too) at all key points

5. Better escape/outfall control

6. Gates that do not leak, and can be motorised

7. Measurement at all control points

8. Remote sensing at all key control points

9. Remote control of all supply assets

10. Full Automation

September 24, 2013 9

Modernisation can assist with…..

- variable service levels, off-peak pricing, priority pricing, first-class service, flow rate trading, rationing, winter premiums.

September 24, 2013 10

Beyond

September 24, 2013 11