By JACK FOSTER
WATER restrictions are not the most effective way to ration water, but more efficient, less punitive schemes are being held back by Canberra’s “rudimentary” metering systems, according to ACTEW Chief Executive Officer, Mark Sullivan.
Mr Sullivan said that the ACT’s metering systems were only capable of measuring use per dwelling, and were too basic to support schemes that moved away from the strict control and regulation of water.
“Our biggest issue with moving into any new initiative is our metering systems, because with any sophisticated scheme, you need good metering,” Mr Sullivan said.
“A dwelling may be anything from a 300 apartment complex, or a single person living in a big house, or a typical family of four or five living in a modest house. It can really vary.”
Professor Gary Jones, CEO of eWater, a cooperative joint venture between more than 40 industry and water research partners, said that water restrictions were heavy-handed, calling for a shift to a water rewards scheme.
“Water restrictions are a blunt instrument that punishes those who do the right thing,” Professor Jones said. “I haven’t watered the outside of my house for six years, so my personal household water use is well below the average, but I still can’t wash my car if I want to.”
Under the proposed scheme, heavy users would pay more for their water, which in turn would fund cash rewards for those conserving their use.
“You need something that rewards the individual that saves water, because right now we’re all being punished,” Professor Jones said.
He added that without this type of innovative approach, Canberra will be left with regulatory controls on water use, high use price penalties, and educational campaigns that do little than “remind people of current dam levels”.
Mr Sullivan said ACTEW would shortly begin a trial for a new “smart metering” system, aiming to more accurately measure use based on specific data, including the exact number of people living in a house and seasonal factors.
“We’re using something that looks similar to an iPod to report usage, and then we’ll see what it brings from the consumer view point, and then from our view point,” Mr Sullivan said.
Mr Sullivan also said he stood by the effectiveness of ACTEW’s daily water target campaign.
“If you look historically there is no other conclusion that Canberra has done a wonderful job in responding to those signs and newspaper clippings,” he said.
