Barwon Water digital logger partnership saves major water loss

Barwon Water’s digital technology partnership with Bellarine Bayside has worked to save significant water loss after it detected a leak within the utility’s network.  

Data logger technology alerted the organisations to higher-than-expected water usage at the Portarlington caravan park, with further investigations showing that more than half of the toilets in a heavily frequented amenity block were suffering from leaks or flushes getting stuck.  

This had led to elevated water consumption at the site, particularly during peak holiday periods. 

In response, Bellarine Bayside is replacing nine toilets with more water-efficient models and installing five-star WELS-rated showerheads to help reduce water use and optimise resource management. 

The data logger technology was deployed by the organisations at Bellarine Bayside sites thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s WaterSmart program, which aims to support non-residential customers to monitor their water consumption and use the data to be more waterwise.  

The technology has helped the utilities to facilitate leak detection and pinpoint areas for water efficiency improvements. 

Bellarine Bayside Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Elliot, said, “These efficiency improvements not only align with Bellarine Bayside’s commitment to sustainability, but also promise substantial savings in maintenance costs and water bills.” 

Mr Elliot said the project aligned with the organisation’s Sustainability Plan and emphasised the significance of ongoing collaboration in achieving shared objectives. 

Water audits will be undertaken at Bellarine Bayside sites as part of the partnership, aiming to identify opportunities for further water efficiency improvements such as the use of alternate water sources like rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and irrigation. 

Barwon Water Managing Director, Shaun Cumming, said the initiative contributed to Barwon Water’s broader efforts to use smarts to save water across its network. 

“Using smarter water management like digital technology can make community water-savings go even further into the future. 

“The WaterSmart program is showing what’s possible when this technology is coupled with swift leak repair and water efficiency improvements. And we estimate a broader roll out of this technology to customers could achieve annual savings of approximately 1.2 billion litres. 

“While technology and everyday water savings are only part of the solution to a secure water future for the region, they are an important part,” Mr Cumming said. 

Mr Cumming also said in addition to Bellarine Bayside, Barwon Water was partnering with Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Barwon Coast, and local government authorities on water efficiency, thanks to $271,000 received through stream one of the Victorian Government’s WaterSmart program. 

Featured image left to right: Bellarine Bayside CEO Brice Elliot and Barwon Water Sustainable Water Use Team Leader Jacinta Burke pictured in front of a recently upgraded bathroom facility featuring 5-star WELS rated showerheads to help reduce water use. Courtesy of Barwon Water.