Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is experiencing a hectic start to its 2024–25 irrigation season. At similar points in the previous five irrigation seasons, it had delivered an average of 83,600ML. However, this irrigation season, GMW has already delivered more than 250,000ML. Among the thousands of orders received so far this season, there are deliveries to service points that have not been used in many years.
Dry weather and strong water availability from relatively full storages have contributed to the dramatic start to the season.
In 2022, GMW was experiencing the opposite extreme. High rainfall across the region meant it had only delivered 13,000ML of water at this stage in the irrigation season. The difference in the two seasons illustrates the weather variability in northern Victoria, which is only becoming more pronounced with climate change.
GMW has to balance these precious resources to operate effectively and efficiently in both extremes. Since the start of the irrigation season, the Water Systems Operators have been processing many orders and planning flows through GMW’s delivery network to ensure it uses its capacity as effectively as possible.
The staff have likewise been busy undertaking maintenance across the network to maximise its performance. The busiest may be yet to come, as the GMW staff are already planning for autumn when water orders generally peak.
When customer orders reach the capacity of the GMW irrigation channel, they are managed based on their delivery shares, which are a customer’s entitlement to a share of these channels.
It is worth irrigators thinking ahead to this time as well. When irrigation demand approaches channel capacity, as it has at times in recent months, water orders invariably take longer to be delivered, which is in line with the service levels defined in GMW’s determination of delivery conditions.
The effect is similar to driving in peak-hour traffic: if you plan your trip during the busiest times, the journey will take longer. Likewise, if irrigators plan to order during the busiest time of the year, they may have to wait longer than usual to receive their orders.
Irrigators and water corporations need to be flexible to deal with the changeability of our climate.
GMW takes a strategic approach instead of a reactive one. If seasons like this were the norm, greater investment would be justified. However, with the changeability of the region’s climate, basing its expenditure on the extreme seasons alone would place an unwarranted financial burden on customers.
Increased capacity would allow GMW to deliver water in a slightly timelier manner in seasons such as this one but leave its customers with greater yearly expenses for the operation and maintenance of the channels, especially during the quieter seasons.
Instead, it ensures the provided services are adaptive, efficient, and sustainable for all conditions.
One of the main ways GMW does this is by working with its customers and communities to ensure the services on offer align with their priorities. GMW did this extensively during its Price Submission engagement and continues to work with customers based on what it has heard. This includes working with its pumped irrigation and water supply district customers to determine the preferred approach to addressing challenges such as climate change, water security, and aging infrastructure.
Engaging with its customers on these matters helps us commit the appropriate resources to these services and maintain a balance between customer fees and the level of service provided.
GMW also seeks to make its business more efficient and adaptive through embracing technology and innovation. The delivery network is now largely automated, with regulators and meters adjusting and monitoring the flows in the channels, ensuring GMW is better equipped to respond to times of high demand.
With Australia’s climate continuing to change and its customers’ priorities evolving, balancing resources to deal with different extremes is essential.
GMW is well-placed to continue adapting to these challenges by prioritising innovation and working closely with its customers.
Image: Jackson Photography/stock.adobe.com
