PLANS for River Murray water license holders to read their own water meters and report results to water authorities have frustrated some landholders.
River Murray water user Helen Schultz (pictured), Milang, said she had some trouble the first time reading the meter.
"I have two meters and I have never needed to go to one so I had to ring for advice on where it was," she said.
Ms Schultz said the process had also been slowed with a website that crashed and misinformation in terms of the forms she needed to use.
She said she had concerns about how the system could be misused.
"How can they check what we're accurately doing?" she said.
"It relies on honesty if the website doesn't work."
Ms Schultz was also concerned about its reliance on up-to-date technology.
"I can imagine a few cockies don't have up to date computers; what are they supposed to do?" she said.
Ms Schultz said the first time had taken quite a few hours of "stuffing around" but she was confident that it should be quicker next time.
"Like everything it is something people will get used to but it's another thing we have to do," she said.
"It's one more job with a website that doesn't work and a policing system that is questionable."
From July 1, 2014 anyone along the prescribed River Murray water course has been required to read their own meter and report results to water authorities, with the program planned to be rolled out across the state.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Services customer service and programs manager at Berri Christine Fiebig said the River Murray Prescribed Water Course (which incorporated areas in the Riverland and Murraylands) was the second region to use a self-monitoring system.
She said the decision for the switch was due to a number of factors, including a high level of compliance by users.
Feedback had also shown many were unhappy about people coming onto their land.
"It is also a reflection of the significant reduction in government budget," she said.
"We had to look at it in an innovative way."
Ms Fiebig said the system was already in place in the Mount Lofty Ranges, however it was the first time that region had been licensed.
"The River Murray has been licensed for many years so it is a changed process," she said.
She said the department had assessed the risk levels of the region and was confident in water user compliance.
She said it would be possible to identify any anomalies in the data being supplied.
Spot checks would also be performed.
Elizabeth Anderson
Stock Journal's magazine editor.
Stock Journal's magazine editor.
