Changes from July 2024 for water users

Changes to the water regulation will improve the accuracy of water measurement and help us to manage our water resources fairly and sustainably. Many of the changes don’t require immediate action by water users and will be implemented gradually.

To help you meet your obligations, we will keep you informed about what you need to do as changes are rolled out.

General changes

Metered water entitlement holders and seasonal water assignment holders are known as a holder of relevant authorisation (HRA).

The water regulation now applies to a broader range of measurement devices that includes telemetry and water level stations as well as meters.

Any metering process (including revalidation and rectification of faulty measurement devices) already in progress prior to 22 July 2024 will continue with no changes.

Changes from 22 July 2024

Water meters

• The Water Regulation (Schedules 11 and 11A) states when:
  • to read a water meter
  • to install and certify a new meter
  • to certify an existing meter.
• Faulty meters must be repaired or replaced within 30 business days.
• Meters and water level stations need to be certified every five years. Certificates will expire five years from the date of certification. For example, when a faulty device is repaired and recertified, the certification date resets for another five years.

Telemetry

Surface water authorisations in the Queensland Murray darling Basin require telemetry. The Water Regulation (Schedule 11) lists:

• the authorisations required to have telemetry
• the required date for installation
• the reporting frequency of telemetry information to the department.

Who can certify measurement devices

• All measurement devices must be certified by a duly qualified person (DQP).
• The DQP is different for different measurement devices.

Measurement device	DQP
Closed conduit water meter and modular meter	Certified meter installer and validator (CMI) issued by Irrigation Australia
Storage meter	Certified storage meter installers and validators (CSV) issued by Irrigation Australia
Telemetry devices	Certification as a telemetry installer and validator issued by Irrigation Australia

Other changes

Some changes will not come into effect until later. These include:

• Measurement standards that will replace the Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering.
• Water users will be required to give information to the department about:
  • the works they use to take water under their authorisations
  • the measurement device/s attached to those works
  • any changes to these arrangements.

For example, when a meter is replaced, a new form must be submitted.

• Maintenance records for measurement devices, including copies of inspection certificates, must be kept and may be required by the department.
• Forms and processes are being simplified to help you meet the measurement obligations under the water regulation.

We will give you information and support to help you understand the regulation changes and what you will need to do as the changes are progressively implemented.

Contact your local business centre or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) to talk to someone about what these changes mean to you.

More information

• Amended water regulation
• Schedule 11 of the water regulation
• Report a faulty meter
• Contact Irrigation Australia
• Learn more about the telemetry program.