Dethridge Wheel Deception

Source: Sykes media release 22.08.08

Dethridge wheel results expose government incompetence again

Yesterday’s release by Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) of results of testing Dethridge irrigation water wheels has exposed 50,000 ML of claimed water savings which the Brumby Government will now not be able to achieve according to Nationals MP, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “Yet again we have proof of the Brumby Government making massive financial commitments of taxpayers money based on calculations done on the back of a postage stamp.

“Let’s go back a step, using the Government’s own figures they are committed to delivering 519,600 ML of water savings.

“GMW’s report ‘Methodology for Water Savings and Water Products’, 9 April 2008, identifies total possible savings of 340,900 ML (attached).

“Of these, correction of metering inaccuracies is supposed to deliver 166,735 ML of savings based on 100% success in correcting the 10% measuring error.

“GMW studies in 2008 show only 6.9% loss due to measuring error – meaning that the maximum possible savings are reduced by 51,687 ML to 115,047 ML.

“Of course, 100% efficiency of water wheels is not possible (internationally accepted standards are ± 2%) so potential savings are really likely to be less than 100,000 ML.

“GMW have the cheek to say this reduction in losses doesn’t matter as the overall losses are the same.

“Overall losses may be the same but it may be far more difficult to make savings from losses due to other causes.

“Finally, as has been stated many times before, metering ‘losses’ are not true losses from the system as the water has still been used for irrigation and charged for in that all delivery losses are factored into setting the price per ML of water.

“So, savings of these water wheel losses will enable more accurate charging but not create one drop of ‘new’ water. Rather, given that the government plans to pipe 1/3 of the savings to Melbourne – irrigators will end up with less water.

Is it any wonder we are all calling for Mr Brumby to Plug the Pipe!”