Parkes' already award-winning Recycled Water Scheme has claimed another accolade.
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In collaboration with Indicium Dynamics, Parkes Shire Council is thrilled its Recycled Water Scheme won the Local Government category in the iTNews Benchmark Awards.
The awards, hosted via a special online presentation on March 25, recognise standout IT projects in government and industry, including federal, state, local government, finance, health, education, industrial and primary productions, and consumer mass-markets.
The Recycled Water Scheme focused on the 'End User Control System', which presents a novel approach to managing the supply-demand balance, water quality risks and customer engagement, and is pushing the development of new technology the broader industry can benefit from.
The system is all part of the $20.9 million project helping to save water and reduce energy usage.
Council's Director of Infrastructure, Andrew Francis, said they are connecting new customers to the distribution system via an innovative meter stand arrangement, incorporating IT technology that provides smart metering and offers supply control through an integrated pressure sustaining and solenoid control valve.
"This enables the implementation of a web-based water allocation 'End User Control System' that encourages and informs water conservation and manages the supply-demand balance under a supply-constrained scheme," he said.
"The control system also benefits council's presentation team as it means they can track and manage water consumption easily through the web portal.
"It also provides an easy way to identify leaks, as they can see water use remotely and in real time, and compare it with scheduled access.
"The control system also gives us an additional non-treatment barrier by monitoring live weather data and stopping supply during unfavourable conditions that can lead to irrigation spray drift and runoff."
Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM said council strives to be a leader in technology and sustainability.
"This scheme not only includes ensuring the security of our water supply in a changing climate, but also ensuring our infrastructure is resource and energy efficient, which is not only good for our environment, but is also cost effective," he said.
"Congratulations to all those involved in winning this award."
To watch the awards presentation, you can visit https://www.itnews.com.au/awards/winners.
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