Evaluation and Demonstration Facilities for Primary Sensors

This report was produced for the Urban Water Research Association of Australia, a now discontinued research program.

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Evaluation and Demonstration Facilities for Primary Sensors

Report no. UWRAA 22

April 1991

Synopsis

Primary Sensors are a complex, high technology component of the systems that control various processes in the water industry. There are wide variations in the initial cost of sensors from different suppliers, and also wide variations in the performance and maintenance costs during operational use.

The purpose of an Evaluation and Demonstration Facility (EDF) for primary sensors would, if established, be to assess their long term performance and total cost of ownership under normal operating conditions.

The project comprised a questionnaire survey of seven metropolitan water authorities in Australia to obtain information on the types of sensors being used and their requirements regarding an EDF; a review of overseas experience with EDF’s; and discussion at an AWRC Workshop of the various options for establishing an EDF.

The preferred option for establishing an EDF to meet the needs of the water industry in Australia is to provide a clearing house for co-ordinating, reporting, and disseminating the assessments of primary sensors being made by the various testing organisations. It is considered that the formation of a new separate authority is not warranted at this time but there is, nevertheless, a need to take positive action to co-ordinate current activity. It is recommended that action be taken to implement the preferred option.

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