Automated Water Management for Tenandra Irrigation

AWMA water control infrastructure will be utilised for the $37million Tenandra Irrigation Scheme Modernisation Program.

Over 40 sites will be replaced with fully automated water management equipment. The new structures will be controlled, monitored and managed using cloud based software, via secure web access. All sites have been individually inspected to ensure the most appropriate water control gate and operational solution is implemented at each location.

The project will remodel over 100km of channel including 24 farm off take sites (to receive new automated gates and meters), as well as 18 channel regulator sites (modernised with automated gates with level control). Some water control gates have been retrofitted to existing structures, others were installed on new structures.

The private irrigation scheme includes two pump locations pumping up to 300ML/day from the Macquarie River.

AWMA managed the project through design, manufacture, installation and commissioning, over a 12 month period. The Observant SCADA system uses UHF radio for long haul telemetry to multiple Next G hubs. All control and monitoring is cloud based and accessible from a dedicated website.

The project has provided significant water savings through new clay lined channels, channel rationalisation, improved structures, accurate metering and improved channel control through remote monitoring and scheduling.

The SCADA system has also significantly reduced vehicle costs and travel times traditionally involved in operating such a large system. The data collected and available via the SCADA system allows accurate record keeping and reporting through data export capability.

The Observant SCADA system can be remotely supported providing quick, efficient and comprehensive support.

The federally funded Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) project has been delivered through the AIM (Advanced Irrigation Management) Alliance, resulting in a modernised channel system which is far safer, and more economical and efficient to operate.