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Abstract
The planning of cities and the planning of their water supplies are intertwined. This paper explores the potential role of smart metering for the future of water planning and management in Australian cities. Smart meters for electricity are being rolled out nationally, and while smart meters for water are not yet being implemented at such a scale, they have the capacity to deliver increasing data to planners and residents about patterns of water use. To translate these data to useful information, a Web-Based Knowledge Management System (WBKMS) is proposed that integrates smart metering, end-use water consumption data, wireless communication networks and information management systems in order to provide real-time information on how, when and where water is being consumed for the consumer and utility. Summary data from the system will also be of interest to architects, developers and planners, seeking to understand water consumption patterns across stratified urban samples. An overview of the challenges for developing the WBKMS and an associated research agenda to address current knowledge gaps concludes the paper.
Notes
1. Drought pricing could replace water restrictions as a means of reducing outdoor water use during drought by charging higher prices during times of water scarcity. It could be structured to apply only above an allocated quota needed for basic household uses, meaning householders could still water their garden, but would pay a premium for doing so.
2. At the time of writing, there are three licence holders for non-potable water infrastructure and one for non-potable retail supply, none of which are yet operational; however, there are current applicants for the provision of sewerage infrastructure and services and, in future, potable retailers are expected. Residents (for example in a new development) would not receive two separate water sources; rather, the government-owned utility would become the default supplier in the event that the private supplier ceased to exist. For further information and data on current licence holders see http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au.