Australian Water Association

22/09/2026

What if water utilities could act before a pathogen is detected?

A 20-year collaboration between CSIRO and Water Corporation is helping shift the management of Naegleria fowleri from reactive monitoring towards predictive action.

By developing faster testing methods, identifying biomarkers and examining the microbial ecology surrounding the pathogen, the research is helping Water Corporation recognise emerging risks and target interventions across Western Australia’s vast drinking water networks.

Winner of the 2026 R&D Excellence Award, sponsored by Water Research Australia, the work is also informing national guidance and international standards.

Read more about the science behind this award-winning collaboration: https://hubs.la/Q04y0jMm0

CSIRO and Water Corporation use predictive pathogen research to identify Naegleria fowleri risks earlier and better protect public drinking water supplies.

22/09/2026

“Creating change is not just about what needs to be different, it’s about what we actually do differently.”

This challenge from Conference Chair Nina Braid set the tone for Voices from the Bush 2026, held in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on Arrernte Country.

Over two days, First Peoples, water professionals, community leaders, researchers and government representatives explored practical approaches to water security, equity and sustainability across rural, remote and very remote Australia.

From First Peoples-led governance and water rights to remote service delivery, workforce capability and two-way learning grounded in Country, the conference placed community experience and First Peoples’ leadership at the centre of conversations about creating lasting change.

Read the conference wrap-up and explore the ideas, insights and actions shared at Voices from the Bush 2026: https://hubs.la/Q04xX3tL0

Voices from the Bush 2026 brought First Peoples and water leaders together to advance water justice, shared decision-making and practical, lasting change.

21/09/2026

National Water Week returns from 19–25 October 2026. 💧

Looking for an easy way to get your workplace involved?

Run a Connection Quiz with your team and spark conversation about how water connects with health, communities, Country, food, energy, industry, nature and everyday life.

The ready-to-use workplace quizzes make it simple to bring National Water Week into a team meeting, lunch-and-learn or workplace event.

👉Register your activity and download the quizzes: https://hubs.la/Q04y0j4k0

21/09/2026

This week’s water community updates highlight safe drinking water access, major infrastructure investment, community connection and emerging treatment technology.

🌱 Construction has begun on a new community hub at Yarra Valley Water's Wollert Community Farm, expanding opportunities for education, training, volunteering and connection with nature.

💧 A new Water Services Association of Australia report has found more than 6,500 First Peoples in remote communities received water that did not meet national guidelines at least once over two years.

🏗️ Hunter Water is proposing a $150 million project to replace a critical section of pipeline supplying around 40% of the Lower Hunter’s drinking water.

🔬 A TasWater trial is exploring the potential of supercritical ultraviolet technology to improve wastewater disinfection under challenging treatment conditions.

Read about these stories and more: https://hubs.la/Q04xX3j40

This week in water, remote services, infrastructure upgrades, water security, wastewater innovation, community access and future skills.

18/09/2026

There's just one week to go until the Australian Water Association launches its new podcast series!

Featuring an exceptional line-up of water leaders and changemakers, the series goes beyond the headlines to explore thinking that could transform how the sector designs, invests, collaborates and prepares for change.

Hear from:

💧 Felicity Chapman, proud Aboriginal weaver, textile artist, visual storyteller and National Regional Arts Fellow, on how creative and cultural practice can deepen our understanding of water, sustainability and environmental change

💧 Alana Dunker and Natalie Muir from Stantec on how digital decisions, smart assets and workforce capability can help utilities prepare for climate and operational challenges

💧 Ben McMaster, AECOM’s Water Business Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, on using adaptive pathways, scenario modelling and system-wide thinking to plan for uncertainty and build long-term water resilience

These are practical, challenging and forward-looking conversations for everyone helping shape the future of water.

Follow the Australian Water Association podcast on Spotify today to hear each new episode as it is released: https://hubs.la/Q04xJfPh0

17/09/2026

How can we better protect Australia’s rivers, wetlands and drinking water as the climate changes?

Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute has partnered with Suntory Oceania in a $1 million, three-year research program examining how altered rainfall patterns, floods and prolonged droughts are affecting waterways.

Drawing on global data and water replenishment work in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, the researchers will refine environmental ‘safe zones’ and identify practical actions to strengthen water quality, ecosystem health and catchment resilience.

The findings are expected to support natural resource planning and help policymakers protect the waterways – and communities – facing the greatest pressure.

Read more: https://hubs.la/Q04xCvdp0

Griffith University and Suntory Oceania partner to research climate risks and develop practical ways to safeguard Australia's river and wetland ecosystems.

16/09/2026

Victoria, it’s time to celebrate!
The 2026 VIC Water Awards finalists have been revealed – and now all eyes are on the big night!

Join us on Thursday 8 October for the 63rd Annual VIC Gala Dinner & Awards, where we’ll celebrate the incredible people, projects and teams making a real impact across Victoria’s water sector.

Expect a fantastic night of great company, plenty of celebration and, of course, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the announcement of our 2026 award winners!

Secure your ticket and meet this year’s finalists: https://hubs.la/Q04xCYvH0

Thank you to our Sponsors: GHD, Barwon Water, Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, Arup, John Holland, Aurecon, Sequana, UGL, CPB Contractors, KSB Australia, Xylem ANZ, Water Research Australia, Fulton Hogan

16/09/2026

What does leading by example on water efficiency look like in practice?

Northern Territory Government agencies are working towards a 20% reduction in water use by 2027–28, which could save 1.4 billion litres of water and $3.1 million each year.

Through smart meters, leak detection, practical training and tailored water demand management plans, agencies are turning ambitious targets into measurable results.

Read how this collaborative approach is strengthening water security across the Territory: https://hubs.la/Q04x619b0

The NT Government's Water Demand Management Strategy targets a 20% cut in agency water use through smart meters, leak detection and practical training too.

15/09/2026

AI has enormous potential for the water sector, but technology alone will not deliver meaningful transformation.

Our latest article explores thought leadership shared by KPMG Partner Tammy Falconer during her Ozwater’26 keynote, where she challenged the assumption that utilities simply need more AI.

While around 95% of organisations now have an AI strategy, fewer than 10% report established enterprise-level value. Tammy argues that closing this gap requires organisations to look beyond isolated tools and rethink how workflows, decisions and roles are designed.

For water leaders, the opportunity is not simply to make existing processes faster. It is to use AI to extend human judgement, make expertise more widely available and fundamentally reconsider how work gets done.

💧Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q04x61730

KPMG's Tammy Falconer explains why AI itself will not transform water utilities, and why leaders must redesign operating models, workflows and roles first.

15/09/2026

Help the next generation discover how water connects everything 💧

We’re pleased to welcome Interflow as the 2026 National Water Week Education Partner, supporting our work to build water literacy and help more young Australians explore the role water plays in their lives, communities and environment.

For National Water Week, 19–25 October, this year’s school theme is Water Connects Everything.

If you work with schools, teachers or community education networks, you can help bring the theme into classrooms by sharing our School Participation Kit.

The kit includes practical activity ideas for classrooms, year levels and whole-school celebrations, giving educators simple ways to explore water with their students.

👉 Access the School Participation Kit: https://hubs.la/Q04xvK560.

Thank you to Interflow for supporting National Water Week and helping us extend the conversation about water to the next generation.

Water is Life - and education helps us understand why.