The Australian Water Association's Northern Territory (NT) Water Awards winners have been announced at the NT Water Awards Dinner on 13 October at Wharf One, Waterfront, Darwin.
The NT Water Awards recognise the contribution of the Association's members for their inspiring leadership and innovative research, programs and infrastructure projects.
AWA CEO Corinne Cheeseman congratulated all the finalists and winners, noting their outstanding achievements and significant contribution.
"AWA's Water Awards recognise the important and innovative work our members do for the water sector and their communities," Cheeseman said.
"The NT Water Award winners and finalists showcase the best examples of innovation and are a reflection of our member's collective contribution towards our sustainable water future.
"In meeting the water needs of large centres to small or remote communities, the people and projects we are celebrating demonstrate the groundbreaking work occurring across the Territory."
This year's NT Water Award winners will represent the Territory in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at the Association's annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater'23, in Sydney.
Winners:
R&D Excellence Award (sponsored by Water Research Australia):
Purple House and Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment - Water Conservation for Remote Dialysis
As remote desert communities struggle with inadequate water supplies, Purple House has developed a novel method of saving water while providing medical dialysis for Aboriginal patients on-country. By recirculating reverse osmosis brine, their system reduces the water consumption of a dialysis unit by half. Purple House is developing ever more water-efficient systems to meet the increasing need for remote dialysis.
Organisational Excellence Award:
Power and Water Corporation - Drinking Water Quality Management System Improvement: 2016 to 2021
Power and Water Corporation has committed to providing safe drinking water consistent with industry best practice. The development of a fit-for-purpose Drinking Water Quality Management System has been targeted over the last few years. Because of this focus, the management system has improved significantly.
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (REGIONAL):
Power and Water Corporation - Remote Housing Program - Headworks
Power and Water has been working collaboratively with the Northern Territory Government to deliver the $1.1 billion Remote Housing Investment package in remote Aboriginal communities. This program is to reduce overcrowding in remote Aboriginal communities and "Closing the Gap".
Student Water Prize (Sponsored by Eurofins):
Vanessa Solano, Charles Darwin University - Carbon Cycling Through Wetlands and Streams in the Wet-dry Tropics
Vanessa's research explores the carbon fluxes in a small tropical savanna catchment in the wet-dry tropics. The project aims to inform the decision-making process and long-term planning of the different sub-sectors of the water industry and help with the monitoring processes for the sustainability of the plants and reservoirs.
Young Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by Xylem):
Daniel Lane, Senior Chemical Engineer, Trop Water
Daniel is a Chemical Engineering graduate of Charles Darwin University. Working for Trop Water, he has developed as an exceptional young professional and is highly regarded by his peers and colleagues in the Northern Territory water sector.
Water Professional of the Year
Terry Ward, Technical Director – Water, GHD
Terry has over thirty years of experience in water-related civil engineering in Queensland and the Northern Territory. His career spans regulatory, planning and investigation, design and operational roles. His project experience covers all water and wastewater engineering aspects, from project conception and planning to commissioning and operation.
A video profiling our award winners can be found here.
The Association congratulates all the award finalists and winners and thanks our sponsors Power Water, Trop Water, SCP Consulting, Water Research Australia, Xylem and Eurofins for supporting this event and these important industry awards.