At the turn of the 21st century, water management in Australia looked very different to what it does today. Australia was navigating increasing demands on its water supply, yet the technologies available to measure, manage, and conserve this vital resource were limited. Fast forward 25 years, the landscape is transforming, and as we celebrate our progress, we must continue to look ahead. With global water demand in 2050 projected to exceed supply by 55%, how can Australia ensure a sustainable and resilient water future?
Looking Back to Move Forward: Itron Celebrates 25 Years of Helping Australian Utilities and Cities to Better Manage Water.
Australia’s Water Industry 25 Years Ago The early 2000’s saw growing awareness about water conservation in Australia, with the ‘Millennium Drought’ and accompanying water restrictions putting water scarcity firmly in the public consciousness. Amid compelling water conservation campaigns, water utilities were overly reliant on manual processes, making it difficult to monitor, manage, and respond to consumption patterns in real time. Metering was basic, and much of the data used by utilities was gathered manually or through infrequent readings. Itron’s journey in Australia began with the need to respond to these challenges 25 years ago. In that time we’ve worked hand-in-hand with water utilities to introduce innovative technologies—including Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and water digital metering—that help deliver cleaner, more efficient, and more
reliable water services to Australians across both cities and rural regions. Sydney and Melbourne both face water challenges. Sydney depends on a network of reservoirs, dams, and desalination plants to meet its water needs. The city is often subject to water scarcity during periods of drought, necessitating careful management and conservation efforts. Melbourne faces similar challenges with its reliance on catchment areas in the surrounding mountains and balancing increasing water demands with environmental preservation. Meanwhile, the Australian outback faces unpredictable rainfall patterns, harsh sun and long dry spells. Communities here depend on ancient underground aquifers, often drawing on resources that can take thousands of years to replenish. Maintaining a sustainable water supply is not only difficult but requires innovative and resilient solutions.
Itron’s Role in Shaping the Water Sector Itron has worked with Australian utilities over the past 25 years to help manage these complexities, including improved safety by remote reading, planning improvements, reduction in non-revenue water, improved customer service and network improvement. Itron solutions are found from metropolitan Australia to remote regions that extend from Yunyarinyi to Mimili in South Australia, Milingimbi to Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory and in the West, from Leonara to the Pilbara.
Bruce Kain, Director of Water – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands