Nowadays, digital remote control systems in irrigation infrastructure projects are a must worldwide. Climate change and the more frequent droughts, affecting especially southern Europe, require upgrading and modernizing the existing installations and implementing digital water management systems. Consortiums and farmers need to be able to manage their irrigation remotely while obtaining historical data as a means for understanding operational changes while continuously improving irrigation system efficiency and water conservation.
The consortium Consortzi de Bonifica Oristanese (CBO) isn’t an exception. In the province of Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, BERMAD's IR-900 series hydrometers were installed back in the 1990s with a simple open/close and flow measurement application. Since then, the valves have been nearly untouched and kept working with minimum maintenance. In 2024, 30 years later, the consortium contacted us once again, requesting to modernize & BERMADIZE the irrigation system installation.
The consortium’s area covers 85.000 hectares, providing irrigation water for nearly 13,000 farmers. The Arborea area is part of the consortium, covering 7,000 hectares where recent modernization is taking place. In this area, farmers cultivate corn used for cow-feeding by the famous Italian milk and cheese producer Arborea.
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IR-900 Series Hydrometer Upgrade
BERMAD currently has around 80.000 units of 900 series hydrometers working across Italy. This unique product developed by BERMAD’s founders in the 1960s, has been the preferred solution for farmers, especially in southern Europe. For instance, in Spain, there are more than 220.000 units of hydrometers operating in different irrigation systems, and the number is growing every year. The hydrometer operates as a hydraulic control valve and a water meter in the same unit. It is currently being installed massively in all new irrigation infrastructure projects supported by European Union funds.
When choosing BERMAD's valves, users appreciate their high resistance and compact installation. A hydrometer's ductile iron body can withstand up to 25 bar of pressure and 16 bar when equipped with a control loop, based on the application. The combination of a hydraulic control valve and a water meter, as well as the inclusion of internal flow straighteners all in the same body, allows for an extremely compact installation.
In Oristano, we supported and serviced the replacement of veteran hydrometers' internal parts using an ‘upgrade kit’ that consists of new elastomers, shaft, spring and impeller. The valve body remained intact and inline since its initial installation. In addition, the 'traditional' mechanical register used to measure flow, has been replaced by an electronic register gaining precision and simplifying digital connection.
For the digital control, each unit has been connected to a solenoid, which activates the open/close orders received from the Omega controller. As a result, the lifespan of these upgraded hydrometers is extended decades into the future.
Upgrading veteran hydrometer in Oristano Consortium
Control Cabinet with Omega
Each pit is equipped with a control cabinet that controls four hydrometers. The cabinet contains an Omega controller, 4 solenoids and an external battery powered by a solar panel located on the rear part of the cabinet. The digital unit controls valve opening and closing while registering instant and total flows, using the new electronic register installed on top of each hydrometer and connected to the Omega controller.
The solar panel provides green energy without being dependent on the power grid and the battery provides constant power in each Omega. The controller is connected to an external antenna, so it is always online, and uses the strongest internet connection available via its international SIM card, with 2G-4G / NB-IOT connectivity.
BERMAD Control Cabinet
The farmer gains real-time remote control over what is happening in the field from wherever he is, through a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection. The Omega is connected to the BERMAD Cloud platform, intuitive software that is constantly operational, from where the user can program the irrigation schedule and view all the irrigation data registered.
Now, irrigation can be programmed as preferred, according to flow volume and time, considering meteorological conditions, the season, or historical patterns and trends registered on the platform. The yearly irrigation data report can support strategic decisions for the upcoming year to gain better efficiency and save water.
Inside the Control Cabinet in Oristano Consortuim
Oristano Consortium Independent Control and Experience
The consortium’s technicians have been provided with an access account to the cloud platform. The engineers at BERMAD provided them with specialized training so that they could be independent when providing direct assistance to farmers. Even with the consortium's independence, BERMAD's engineering department is always committed to pre & post-sale support, as well as assistance and recommendations during installation and commissioning.
Consortzi de Bonifica Oristanese (CBO) has trusted BERMAD for this modernization project thanks to its 30-year experience with our support and solutions. Fabrizio Podda, the consortium Metering Manager, explains; “we decided to continue with Bermad because we have had its hydrometers installed for over 30 years and have never encountered any problems. Today in 2024 we definitely consider BERMAD to be a reliable partner supplying hydrometers that are an excellent product. That’s why we wanted to carry on with the collaboration between us”.
Find more data about BERMAD solutions and supporting design tools is in the Irrigation Infrastructure brochure.
