The head of the MDBA’s Office of Compliance, Brent Williams, said a list of pattern approved meters had been developed to help irrigators choose the right water meter for their circumstances.
‘‘Water meters are required under state legislation in the Murray-Darling Basin, in line with the MDBA’s no meter no pump advice,’’ Mr Williams said.
‘‘Meters provide the clearest measure of how much water is being drawn from a river or aquifer. By using one of the approved meters, irrigators can be confident their water use meets the required level of accuracy in the Australian standard for non-urban water meters.
‘‘More accurate information will help water users to run their business, whether it’s growing crops, watering livestock, manufacturing goods or mining, and to maintain the trust of everyone who relies on the water resources of the basin.’’
Mr Williams said the MDBA had been working with testing laboratories and meter manufacturers to expand the list of meters and had compiled a list of pattern approved meters and metering requirements for water users in each basin state.
‘‘The information identifies the need for a significant growth in meter installations over the next decade.’’
■The range of meters approved by the National Measurement Institute of Australia against the Australian standards is available on the MDBA website: www.mdba.gov.au
