Good news: Smart meters smart indeed

I HAVE never been a big fan of paying for water given the “stuff” falls out of the sky for free.

Indeed, it was free until some bright spark decided to hive it off from our regular rates bill and give us two general rates bills and two water rates bills annually.

And the stuff is so expensive. Recently I received a rates bill and the water component was $465 compared to the same period last year when it was $1395, so I must be doing something right.

The much-maligned “Water Access Charge” of around $350, twice yearly, has morphed into a “Water Infrastructure Charge” meaning, I expect, every ratepayer now owns a few pipes and associated bits and pieces.

Water and power are the only services where sellers actively discourage customers from buying more – odd way to run a business.

Good, I’ve got all that off my chest, so now for the good news!

I heard Toowoomba Region was seeking around 2000 expressions of interest to participate in a Smart Water Meters Program, so I expressed an interest.

Before too long, a charming technician from Brisbane came knocking on my door, and in seconds I had a smart meter which, somehow or other, sends my bill to “the cloud” then back to me.

No more meter readers and no more threats of dogs, redback spiders and snakes to hound them.

Subsequently I received a lovely letter from Phillip McEwan, the council’s Manager Water Infrastructure Branch, who said “Congratulations, your household is among the first in the region to access the Toowoomba Water app!”

Mr McEwan outlined the benefits of the app which include hourly and daily tracking of water usage, leak alerts and tips to lessen water consumption.

I downloaded the app and the “Customer Care – Toowoomba Water Support and Care” team had me up and running in no time with enormous courtesy and lovely comments like, “as mentioned, do feel free to get in touch if there’s anything else we can help with or if you have any further questions”, and “we hope the new council smart water meter will help you and your household save on water yearround”.

We’ve seen a few professions disappear over the years including blacksmiths, “night soil men”, garbage men, electricity meter readers and I expect mail men (postal officers?) before too long, and now water meter readers – all lost to technology.

The app is a beauty and does precisely what Mr McEwan said it would.

And it also laid to rest my longheld fear of a water leak, as when I was away on Friday and Saturday it recorded zero usage.

Good on you, Toowoomba Region, congratulations.