Australian water leaders honoured as IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows

Australian water professionals have been recognised on the global stage, with seven sector leaders named as IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows during a community meeting held in August at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Toronto. 

Being recognised as an IWA Fellow or Distinguished Fellow (DF) is a significant honour, the titles celebrating individuals for their exceptional contributions to the global water sector.  

Fellows and DFs belong to an elite group of internationally acknowledged water professionals known for their leadership in water science, technology and management.  

Michael Storey was named a Distinguished Fellow, celebrating over 20 years of commitment to building capacity in the water sector. As co-founder of the IWA Young Water Professionals program and an AWA member since 1996, Michael’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the future of the industry. 

Another leader, Helen Stratton, a Life Member of AWA, was also recognised for her 27 years of experience in water microbiology and wastewater research. Her dedication includes serving as QLD Branch President and AWA Director. Helen’s contribution earned her Life Membership in 2016. 

Bing-Jie Ni, an AWA member since 2016 and a Professor in Environmental Engineering at UNSW, has also been recognised for his significant advancements in wastewater treatment and environmental sustainability. His research focuses on minimising greenhouse gas emissions and maximising energy recovery from wastewater, and his work has received over $12 million in grants. 

Liu Ye, a Professor at the University of Queensland and a Fellow of IWA, has also contributed significantly to higher education and environmental technology, focusing on sustainable water management solutions. 

Stuart Khan, Professor and Head of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney, has been recognised for his expertise in water quality, water recycling and desalination. An AWA member with over 200 peer-reviewed publications, he has played a key role in shaping national water guidelines and policies. 

Susan Petterson, an IWA Fellow and Director at Water & Health Pty Ltd, has been recognised for her extensive contributions to water quality and public health. As a Professor at Griffith University and Non-Executive Director at Sydney Water, Susan’s work in risk assessment and water safety has had a lasting impact on both national and international standards.

Lastly, Philip de Souza was recognised for his leadership in water safety and his extensive experience across Asia and Africa. Philip has recently moved to Australia and is currently the Global Lead for Water Safety Planning at Atom Consulting.

About the IWA Fellowships 

IWA Fellows are recognised for their sustained, outstanding contributions to the water sector and to IWA itself. Fellows serve a five-year term, supporting IWA’s mission, strategic initiatives and member engagement. 

Distinguished Fellows, a prestigious and limited title, honour those with over 10 years of extraordinary impact on the global water sector. These individuals are appointed for life and play a vital role in advancing IWA’s international goals, contributing to leadership and strategic development at a global level. 

These outstanding individuals highlight Australia’s leadership in the global water sector, with each contributing significantly to advancing water science, technology and policy.