Project Name:
Developing Generalised Guidelines for the Assessment of Water Savings in Irrigation Modernisation Programs in Victoria
Client:
Department of Sustainability & Environment
Project Description:
Hydro Environmental was engaged to assist in the development of technical guidelines to assess water savings as a result of irrigation modernisation initiatives. These guidelines were intended to be applied to all water savings initiatives including system automation. Channel remediation (lining and remodelling) and metering. The guidelines utilised case studies from water savings initiatives in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District as well as the Macalister Irrigation District.
The project involved development of guidelines for both “top-down” and “bottom-up” perspectives, being assessments of water savings through water balance at a system-wide level, or assessing water savings from a case-by-case intervention basis.
In completing the guidelines, Hydro Environmental also assisted in the development of methodologies to:
- determine a suitable asset condition benchmark year from which changes in system losses due to physical works of water savings projects can be measured.
- determine a suitable operating practices benchmark year, from which changes in system losses due to improved or altered operational practices can be measured.
The technical guidelines also detailed the accountabilities and responsibilities in measurement, reporting, financing and auditing water savings estimates.
Key Skills Applied:
Water savings technology, water accounting, irrigation practices, water regulatory framework, stakeholder consultation and engagement, knowledge management, project management, understanding of irrigation water provider business needs, benchmarking, target setting, data management, report writing and communication.