Off the back of its win at the Australian Water Association (AWA) Victorian Water Awards, South East Water’s Hydrotrak Geofencing solution is continuing its string of success – taking home two titles at the 2024 Asian Water Awards.
The technology, developed by South East Water’s Research and Development and Operational Technology teams, received the Water Technology Excellence (Research and Development) – Australia and Water Technology Excellence Award (Water Resource Management) – Australia awards at the Asian Water Awards 2024, held on 22 October in Singapore.
The technology was also Highly Commended in the Research and Development Excellence category at the AWA Victorian Water Awards.
The Hydrotrak® Geofencing System uses GPS location devices integrated with GIS spatial data of our network and hydrants to automatically detect the vehicle’s location when stopped at a hydrant for a tanker filling operation. The device automatically sounds an audible alarm, prompting the driver to push the fill button, which then generates billing data.
Since deploying the system in December 2022 to more than 300 water carter vehicles, South East Water has recovered more than 65ML of water that was previously unaccounted for, reducing both water and revenue loss.
South East Water General Manager of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, Daniel Sullivan, said the solution played an important role in driving long-term water security and South East Water’s financial sustainability.
“HydroTrak® helps us account for water extraction from our hydrants, providing improved financial outcomes at a time when customer affordability is a challenge.
“It resolves a common industry problem – the inability to detect and charge water carters for their hydrant use. Historically, this has resulted in significant water and revenue loss for water utilities, with these losses needing to be absorbed by customers,” Mr Sullivan said.
South East Water is currently working with a number of interested organisations to find a pathway for industry-wide adoption of the Hydrotrak® Geofencing System. The utility anticipates that a larger scale adoption of the technology could provide better financial outcomes for the industry.
“Understanding water carter consumption will allow for better demand forecasting, resource planning and management. This will translate into numerous community-wide benefits like better, fairer prices for customers,” Mr Sullivan said.
The AWA Victoria Water Awards also recognised South East Water as winners and finalists several other categories, including:
- R&D Excellence Award – Demonstrating the cooling benefits of irrigating green space and misting at Aquarevo House and Burnley (University of Melbourne, Water Sensitive Cities and South East Water) (WINNER)
- Water Professional of the Year – Pam Kerry, Technical Director Science (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
- Young Water Professional of the Year – Ninad Dharmadhikari, Product Development Manager (FINALIST)
- Infrastructure Innovation Award – Chapel Street water main renewal project (Interflow and South East Water) (FINALIST)
South East Water congratulates all nominees in the Victoria Water Awards and celebrates their commitment to innovation and excellence in Victoria’s water industry.
Featured image: South East Water
