Installers, surveyors, vendors and manufacturers
Duly qualified persons
Duly qualified persons (DQPs) are responsible for surveying and installing benchmarks, installing and validating storage meters, telemetry connection to the data acquisition service and validating the installation of existing storage meters. DQPs include the following occupations:
- certified storage meter installer and validator
- certified meter installer
- registered surveyor
- telemetry technician
- registered engineer
Surveyors
Storages used for floodplain harvesting will need to have a survey benchmark installed. A registered surveyor will survey, install and verify benchmarks prior to installation of storage meters.
- Read the Guideline for survey benchmarks—for qualified surveyors installing or verifying existing benchmarks
Register your details as a qualified surveyor to get involved and find out more about the measurement project.
Certified storage meter installers and validators
Find a certified meter installer.
If you want to become a certified storage meter installer and validator an accredited course is being offered by Irrigation Australia Limited.
Storage meters
A storage meter measures the water level within the storage and is used to determine the storage volume. It must meet the minimum specifications for storage meters.
Minimum specifications for storage meters
Table 2. Storage meter minimum specifications Criterion Minimum specification
Output
Digital (SDI-12/Modbus) directly output from sensor
Range
Appropriate to the storage depth (typically 0 to 5 metres, up to 10 metres)
Accuracy
±10 millimetres
Calibration capability
Has the capacity to record and adjust calibration constants and can be tested against a reference meter
Supply voltage and power consumption
Can operate on nominal 12-volt direct-current supply and less than 20-milliamp average current draw
Data-acquisition service/data logger and telemetry unit compatibility
Data-acquisition-service compatibility for relevant floodplain harvesting measurement parameters; sensor can respond to requests for serial number and other diagnostic information
Temperature range
–5°C to +50°C operating temperature
Warranty
Minimum 12 months
Performance testing
Sensor has been trialled or is used in harsh environments by a reputable independent agency in Australia
Support
Satisfactory vendor documentation and local support available
| Criterion | Minimum specification |
|---|---|
| Output | Digital (SDI-12/Modbus) directly output from sensor |
| Range | Appropriate to the storage depth (typically 0 to 5 metres, up to 10 metres) |
| Accuracy | ±10 millimetres |
| Calibration capability | Has the capacity to record and adjust calibration constants and can be tested against a reference meter |
| Supply voltage and power consumption | Can operate on nominal 12-volt direct-current supply and less than 20-milliamp average current draw |
| Data-acquisition service/data logger and telemetry unit compatibility | Data-acquisition-service compatibility for relevant floodplain harvesting measurement parameters; sensor can respond to requests for serial number and other diagnostic information |
| Temperature range | –5°C to +50°C operating temperature |
| Warranty | Minimum 12 months |
| Performance testing | Sensor has been trialled or is used in harsh environments by a reputable independent agency in Australia |
| Support | Satisfactory vendor documentation and local support available |
Local-intelligence devices
Local Intelligence Device is a combined data logger and telemetry unit. They store and transmit the water level data and related information to the data acquisition service. To achieve this they need to be compatible with the storage meter that is being used.
Compliant solutions
To give water users greater confidence about devices or solutions that have been confirmed as being compliant with the floodplain harvesting measurement rules, the department will maintain a list of devices that have been tested and found to meet the relevant specifications. It is the water user’s responsibility to ensure they purchase a fit-for-purpose device that meets their individual needs.
The following list has been designed to assist water users and meter installers to understand which storage meters have been confirmed as meeting the minimum specifications for storage meters, as set out in the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy.
However, it is the water user’s responsibility to ensure they purchase a fit-for-purpose device that meets their individual needs. Please note that this list does not provide any form of warranty or assurance about the quality, reliability or suitability of listed storage meters, including for specific environmental conditions, local intelligence device (LID) configurations or signal interfaces.
A list of LIDs that meet the minimum specifications is on the department’s website. Not all storage meters will interface with all LIDs. The storage meters on this list will interface with LIDs that have Modbus or SDI-12 communication outputs, but not Pulse outputs.
It is the water user’s responsibility to make sure that the chosen storage meter interfaces with the chosen LID. A meter installer will be able to provide advice about this integration, and other installation matters.
The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement by the department over any equivalent product from another manufacturer.
If you are a storage meter distributor and would like to be included on the list please email fph.measurement@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
| Make | Model | Distributor and contact details | Type | Manufacturer | Date of listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Situ | Level TROLL |
ThermoFisher Email: ANZInfo@thermofisher.com Website: www.thermofisher.com/au/ | Submersible | In-situ | 5 August 2020 |
| Keller-Druck | 36XiW |
Bestech Australia Email: tgobrial@bestech.com.au Website: www.bestech.com.au | Submersible | Keller-Druck | 5 August 2020 |
| OTT | RLS |
Aqualab Email: sales@aqualab.com.au Website: www.aqualab.com.au | Radar | OTT HydroMet | 5 August 2020 |
| OTT | PLS | Aqualab Email: sales@aqualab.com.au Website: www.aqualab.com.au | Submersible | OTT HydroMet | 5 August 2020 |
| Seametrics | PT12 |
Air-Met Scientific Pty Ltd Email: sales@airmet.com.au Website: www.airmet.com.au Enviro Paul Email: paul@enviropaul.com.au Website: www.enviropaul.com.au HydroTerra Pty Ltd Email: sales@hydroterra.com.au Website: www.hydroterra.com.au | Submersible | Seametrics Inc. | 5 August 2020 |
| STS | PTM/N/SDI-12 |
Automated Control Email: sales@automatedcontrol.com.au Website: www.automatedcontrol.com.au | Submersible | Automated Control | 5 August 2020 |
| Vega | VEGAPULS C 21 |
Vega Email: info.au@vega.com Website: www.vega.com | Radar | Vega | 5 August 2020 |
| FTS | SDI Radar / 64 / 81 | ThermoFisher Email: ANZInfo@thermofisher.com Website: www.thermofisher.com/au/ | Radar | FTS | January 2021 |
| YSI | WaterLOG Nile 502 / 504 / 517 | Xylem Water Solutions Email: salesAus@xyleminc.com Website: www.xylem-analytics.com.au | Radar | Xylem Analytics Australia | January 2021 |
| Endress + Hauser Australia | Micropilot FMR20 | Endress + Hauser Australia Email: info.au.sc@endress.com Website: https://www.endress.com | Radar | Endress + Hauser Australia | March 2021 |
Vendors
The department welcomes device manufacturers to develop storage meters and local intelligence devices that are compatible with the technical requirements of the healthy floodplain measurement policy. Device manufacturers are invited to submit their compatible devices for testing.
The assessment of storage meters against the minimum specification will be undertaken by Manly Hydraulic Laboratory at the vendor’s expense. An outline of the assessment process is provided below.
The assessment process also applies to storage sensors that have been previously assessed and will need to be reassessed if the supplier considers their device now meets the minimum standards. The department expects that nominated devices are proven technology with no further development work required to meet the specifications.
Please note vendors that have a fully integrated storage meter and telemetry solution will need to follow the Local Intelligence Device assessment process as described in the Market engagement policy for metering and telemetry.
More detailed information about the storage meter assessment process and ongoing listing requirements can be found in the Market engagement policy for metering and telemetry.
Outline of the assessment process
1
Before submitting a storage meter for assessment, proponents should acquire an understanding of the storage meter measurement requirements within the Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy by reviewing documentation available on DPIE and in the Market Engagement Policy for Metering and Telemetry 2
Develop or assess an existing storage meter against the minimum storage meter specifications and download a copy of the 'Storage meter technical specifications survey' response template
3
Contact Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) to discuss the assessment timeframe and testing fee by email at Assessment-Request@mhl.nsw.gov.au 4
Pay the fee and submit the ‘Storage meter technical specifications survey’ response and supporting documentation to MHL for assessment as instructed.
5
MHL will assess if the device's technical specifications comply with the minimum storage meter specifications.
6
MHL will notify the supplier and DPIE of the assessment results.
7
Storage meters that meet the assessment criteria will be listed on the department's website.
| 1 | Before submitting a storage meter for assessment, proponents should acquire an understanding of the storage meter measurement requirements within the Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy by reviewing documentation available on DPIE and in the Market Engagement Policy for Metering and Telemetry |
| 2 | Develop or assess an existing storage meter against the minimum storage meter specifications and download a copy of the 'Storage meter technical specifications survey' response template |
| 3 | Contact Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) to discuss the assessment timeframe and testing fee by email at Assessment-Request@mhl.nsw.gov.au |
| 4 | Pay the fee and submit the ‘Storage meter technical specifications survey’ response and supporting documentation to MHL for assessment as instructed. |
| 5 | MHL will assess if the device's technical specifications comply with the minimum storage meter specifications. |
| 6 | MHL will notify the supplier and DPIE of the assessment results. |
| 7 | Storage meters that meet the assessment criteria will be listed on the department's website. |