How EcoSAT SCADA System Boosts Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability in Remote Farming Areas
The District Council of Franklin Harbour implemented a water scheme to ensure supply to a large farming area that would help farmers in the northwest of Cowell increase agricultural productivity and deliver economic growth.
Scheme Benefits
The scheme provides a number of benefits such as:
Improved access to water for farmers
The scheme was designed to supply water to a large farming area that is not serviced by the South Australia Water mains supply. This means that farmers in the area now have access to a reliable and consistent water source, which can help to improve their crop yields and overall agricultural productivity.
Increased water storage capacity
By constructing a series of large water tanks and pump stations at different elevations, the scheme has significantly increased the amount of water that can be stored and transported in the area. This means that farmers have access to a much larger supply of water, even during periods of low rainfall or drought.
Advanced monitoring and control systems
The use of a satellite SCADA system (EcoSAT GOLD) supplied by Station Innovation allows for remote monitoring of tank levels, pump status, and other important data. This can help to ensure that the system is functioning properly and can allow for quick response times in the event of any issues or malfunctions.
Economic benefits
The construction of the water scheme provided employment opportunities for local farmers and contractors, which can help to support the local economy. Additionally, by providing a reliable water source to farmers in the area, the scheme may help to increase agricultural productivity and overall economic growth in the region.
Environmental benefits
By providing a reliable water source to farmers in the area, the scheme may help to reduce the impact of drought on the local ecosystem. This can help to preserve local wildlife and plant species, and may also help to reduce the risk of wildfires and other environmental hazards.
System Design
The scheme is fed by a 40mm SA Water connection at the intersection of Millers Point and Cowell Kimba Roads at an elevation of 40m AHD.
The District Council of Franklin Harbour (DCFH) notionally has 200KL/day available at the South Australia Water (SAW) connection point.
The scheme was designed to be able to shift that amount should Council reach the full capacity and ensure supply to a large farming area over the ranges to the northwest of Cowell that is not serviced by SAW Mains supply.
From the SAW connection DCFH ran a pressure fed 100mm PVC pipe along the Cowell Kimba Rd approximately 2.2km to a 200KL Base tank and pump station at an elevation of 80m. Level in this tank is maintained by a ball/diaphragm valve.
From there DCFH pump another 4km to an intermediate 200KL tank and pump station at an elevation of 180m. This in turn pumps the remainder of the way to the hill top 500KL tank at an elevation of 283m.
From there DCFH ran a gravity-fed main 23km that connects farms along Kimba Cowell and Glynn Roads.
Due to high static heads (100m), the pumps are not on pressure switches. Instead the tank levels are monitored and linked via a satellite SCADA system (EcoSAT GOLD) supplied by Station Innovation.
DCFH have online visibility of tank levels pump status and history. Alarms are triggered if levels reach pre-set high and low points. All of which can be adjusted remotely.
The control system has now operated without fault for the last 3 years and DCFH highly recommends Station Innovation and the EcoSAT system.
Each pump station has 2 pumps in a duty/standby mode with variable frequency drives (soft starters) to lessen hammering and voltage draw. This also converts single phase supply to 3 phase.
The pumps used were supplied by Xylem. They are Lowara GVH20/15SV11 with a duty of 4.12L/sec @135m Head.
Pumps sets cost $32k each, sheds were $5k installed and 200KL tanks around $26k, VFD controllers and SCADA was $86k.
The system was designed by HDS Australia and installed by Council workers. DCFH also employed some local farmers doing it tough and many local contractors.
The build was completed between Oct 2019 and March 2020.
Below is a photo of the intermediate pump station with EcoSAT unit on top of the tank.
If your organisation is looking to implement a reliable and advanced water monitoring and control system then get in touch. With state-of-the-art satellite SCADA systems and reliable pumps and controllers, your water supply will be in good hands.
Contact us today to learn more and get started!
