The Need
In 2018, the New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia implemented a non-urban water metering framework that required water users to install approved water meters and telemetry devices on their water infrastructure to monitor water flow and usage. The government relied on Local Intelligence Devices (LIDs) installed within all non-urban water meters by the end of 2024 to provide data to the Natural Resources Access Regulator.
Sigsense identified a market opportunity to use automated meter reading technology designed for urban settings in non-urban environments. Partnering with Kallipr, they created a solution using the Captis IoT device that logs water usage data from all Patten-approved meters.
The NSW government’s regulation required water users to install LIDs to ensure robust and fair water management. The challenge was to provide a low-cost, reliable solution that met all the government’s needs and complied with strict quality and security requirements. The solution should ensure enhanced range on Telstra’s NB-IoT network, guaranteeing connectivity even in the most isolated areas.
The Solution
Sigsense and Kallipr partnered to create a solution using the Captis IoT device to log water usage data from all Patten-approved meters. The Captis device’s external antenna technology ensured enhanced range on Telstra’s NB-IoT network, guaranteeing connectivity even in the most isolated areas. A tamper-proof and auditable seal was installed that allowed both users and WaterNSW to monitor if the device had been tampered with.
The solution was IP-68 rated to withstand water submersion and dust, making it suitable for the non-urban water metering scheme, with many devices installed in extremely harsh and remote conditions.
The solution provided a low-cost, reliable option that met all the government’s needs and complied with strict quality and security requirements.
Over 4,600 Captis devices have been installed across 800,000 square kilometres of land, and the solution has gained certification from WaterNSW as one of the key LIDs and is the chosen supplier of 2,400 government-owned meters. The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) states “water use has never been more measurable, or water users more accountable” with the use of this technology.
The solution is being reviewed for deployment in other states as state governments implement similar regulation changes.
To find out more about WaterNSW’s regulatory scheme and the Captis solution check out our Q&A with Ben Starr from Sigsense here
Download the Non-Urban Water Metering Case Study here
