Reading Passage
Paragraph A
In 2009, the Urban Water Management Authority (UWMA), headquartered at 118 Aquatic Infrastructure Drive, Melbourne, Australia, began evaluating smart water meters to improve efficiency and reduce household consumption. At the time, residential water use accounted for 41% of total urban demand. Early pilot projects conducted between 2010 and 2012 tested real-time usage feedback and automated leak detection. Participating households reduced water consumption by an average of 13%, indicating that data-driven monitoring could support long-term water conservation goals.
Paragraph B
Large-scale deployment commenced in 2013, when UWMA partnered with water utilities to install smart meters in 620,000 homes across Victoria. Usage data were transmitted every 15 minutes to central monitoring systems. By 2016, non-revenue water losses caused by leaks declined by 21%. The rollout cost AUD 540 million and was funded through state infrastructure budgets approved in August 2012.
Paragraph C
Despite efficiency improvements, challenges emerged. A 2014 consumer survey found that 27% of households were concerned about data privacy and billing accuracy. Technical issues also arose in older buildings where internal plumbing systems were incompatible with digital meters. In addition, some residents reported difficulty interpreting consumption data. UWMA responded by improving customer dashboards in 2015 and providing in-home guidance sessions in suburbs such as Footscray and Box Hill.
Paragraph D
Policy support strengthened after 2017, when the Victorian government allocated AUD 860 million to expand smart metering statewide. By 2020, 66% of urban households were covered by smart water meters. State water reports showed that peak demand during summer months declined by 9% between 2017 and 2021, easing pressure on supply infrastructure.
Paragraph E
Economic and environmental impacts were also documented. A 2021 evaluation conducted by Monash University estimated annual savings of AUD 180 million due to reduced water losses and operational efficiencies. Energy consumption associated with water pumping fell by 7% between 2018 and 2022. Customer satisfaction surveys also reported improved trust in billing accuracy.
Paragraph F
Future plans focus on integrating artificial intelligence into water management. UWMA plans to deploy AI-based demand forecasting tools by 2030 to optimise supply planning. As of January 2024, 58% of Melbourne households actively used smart water monitoring applications. Pilot projects scheduled for 2026 will test automated leak repair systems in selected districts, aiming to further reduce water waste.
Questions 1-4: Matching Headings
Instructions: Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below. Write the correct Roman numeral.
List of Headings
i. Financial and energy-related benefits
ii. Early testing of digital water monitoring
iii. Consumer concerns and technical limitations
iv. Large-scale rollout and efficiency gains
v. Government funding and demand reduction
vi. Future intelligent water systems
Question 1: Paragraph B
Question 2: Paragraph C
Question 3: Paragraph D
Question 4: Paragraph E
Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
Question 5
Smart water meters were introduced primarily for industrial users.
Question 6
Water losses from leaks decreased after smart meters were installed.
Question 7
All residents found consumption data easy to understand.
Question 8
Peak water demand declined after additional government funding.
Questions 9-12: Table Completion
Instructions: Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Measurement | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Metric 1 | Description | |
| Metric 2 | Description | |
| Metric 3 | Description | |
| Metric 4 | Description |
Questions 13-16: Sentence Completion
Instructions: Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 13
Pilot households reduced water use by percent.
Question 14
State infrastructure funding was approved in .
Question 15
Annual savings were estimated at AUD million.
Question 16
Smart water app usage reached percent in 2024.
Questions 17-19: Summary Completion
Instructions: Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Summary paragraph placeholder. First gap text continues. Second gap more text. Third gap conclusion.
Questions 9-13: Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 9
Where is the Urban Water Management Authority headquartered?
Question 10
How many homes received smart meters during rollout?
Question 11
Which university conducted the 2021 evaluation?
Question 12
What percentage of households used monitoring apps in 2024?
Question 13
In which year are automated leak repair pilots planned?