Project Name:
Review of Methodology for Quantifying Water Savings in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District
Client:
Water for Rivers
Project Description:
Hydro Environmental was engaged to review the Water Balance studies undertaken by G-MW on the CG channels 1, 2, 3 & 4 systems. The review covered three reports – Water Balance Analysis 2005/06, which provided an analysis of the water losses that occurred during the 2005-06 irrigation period (Report 1) and Water Business Case Reconciliation, which presented the business case for the project, using five years of data (from 1998/99 to 2002/03) to estimate system losses (Report 2) and methodology for water savings and water products.
The review was required to ensure the analysis and subsequent conclusions of the reports were accurate, thus optimising the amount of water savings available for transfer to the environmental reserve.
Hydro Environmental reviewed each report as follows:
- Report 1: Examination and comment on the methodology adopted to determine each of the water balance components and on the accuracy of the results.
- Report 2: Examination and comment on the validity of the approach used in determining the water loss volumes to be apportioned to each loss component of the average situation during the five year period.
- Report 3: Examination and comment on the overall water savings methodology and water products.
Many of Hydro Environmental’s recommendations have been adopted in subsequent assessments as well as the subsequent generalised guidelines.
Key Skills Applied:
Water accounting, irrigation practices, water regulatory framework, stakeholder consultation and engagement, knowledge management, project management, understanding of irrigation water provider business needs, benchmarking, performance indications, target setting, data management, report writing and communication.