The Australian Flow Management Group (AFMG) of the University of South Australia provides specialised testing services to meet the needs of the water industry.
Our testing focuses on improved understanding of water resources and flow management for a wide range of clients including the water industry, local councils, and state governments.
We test a range of products including flow meters, smart meters, pipes, pipe fittings,valves, emitters, drippers, timer taps, moisture sensors, drainage systems, gross pollution traps, stormwater treatment, and other hydraulic components.
We house a number of state-of-the-art research and testing facilities including:
- Radio Frequency (RF) immunity testing
- Full-scale hydraulic testing (up to 510 L/s)
- Scale modelling of hydraulic structures (e.g. fish passages, culverts and overland flow paths)
- Environmental testing in a controlled temperature and humidity room
- Physical hydraulic model studies
- Irrigation equipment testing
- Water meter testing and calibration
- Valve type testing
Our testing services
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Water Meter Testing and Calibration
The Australian Flow Management Group (AFMG) carry out water meter testing and calibration, with or without adjustment, to Australian and international standards.
Specification and capability
- NATA accredited as a calibration facility, accreditation number 17135
- Maximum calibration/test flow rate 510L/s
- Minimum accredited calibration/test flow rate 18L/h
- Least measurement of uncertainty 0.07% for gravimetric calibrations between 0.05L/s and 0.7L/s
- Calibration through gravimetric or comparison methods
- NMI approval status as a Verifying Authority for initial verification, or re-verification and sealing meters, and NMI approval status as an Approving Authority to Pattern Approve meters.
Legal metrology capabilities
Verifying Authority
As a verifying Authority the AFMG is able to test and seal water meters under National Measurement Regulations 1999.
As an independent Calibration and Testing laboratory the AFMG is not owned by a Utility Meter manufacturer, or Water Supply organisation.
Approving Authority
As an Approving Authority, the AFMG is able to pattern approve meters under the National Measurement Regulations 1999.
As an instrument of trade measurement, water meter models are increasingly being required to have pattern approval. Initially this was only required for 20mm domestic potable water meters, however now it is extending to larger urban and non-urban meters.
The AFMG is capable of initially verifying meters to both NMI R 49 and NMI M 10. For more information on legal metrology refer to the website of the National Measurement Institute.
