CCWCD Well Telemetry Program Underway
By Christopher Schall
Installing computers on irrigation wells, boosting water resources, CCWCD is creating one of the most sophisticated agricultural water systems in the nation.
In the new program, CCWCD is equipping 200 McCrometer flow meters with small computers that digitally record and transmit information about water usage. This data will help CCWCD manage its member’s water resources, and boost available supply through increased system efficiency.
“Through measurement efficiency, we save water, and the telemetry makes this possible with a constant data flow of well pumping information.” explains Ruthanne Schaffer, CCWCD Senior Water Accountant.
The telemetry system starts with water. When water is pumped and recorded on a water meter, a small, attached magnetic assembly translates the spinning water meter dial into an electrical signal. This signal is then transferred into a data logging computer where it is packaged, and then later transmitted to a web site via satellite. But to understand how telemetry equipment produces water, look at the accounting.
