The winners of the Australian Water Association's (AWA) Northern Territory Water Awards were announced at the Water in the Bush 30 Year Celebration Dinner on 17 October at Wharf One Food & Wine, Darwin last week.
The NT Water Awards recognise the contribution of the AWA's members for their inspiring leadership and innovative research, programs and infrastructure projects.
The announcement of the NT Water Awards was set against a backdrop of celebration as the Deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Jimmy Bouhoris and special guests celebrated the 30-year anniversary of Water in the Bush, the Northern Territory’s annual water conference and exhibition.
AWA President Carmel Krogh attended the dinner and congratulated all finalists and winners for their outstanding achievements.
“This year’s award entries have ranged from water treatment systems to waste stabilisation ponds, weather stations and smart irrigation controllers to microbiology,” Krogh said.
“The winners of our individual awards are demonstrating an extraordinary capacity to take our industry into the future with enthusiasm and passion and are exemplary role models for other professionals.
“The Australian Water Association would like to congratulate all finalists and winners who all embody our purpose to inspire and drive a sustainable water future.”
The winners of this year’s NT Water Award winners will go on to represent the state in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at the AWA's annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater’20 in Adelaide on 5-7 May 2020.
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award
Borroloola Water Treatment System Upgrade: The Containerised Story – Power and Water
Corporation and SUEZ
The Borroloola project aimed at delivering a sustainable and effective water treatment solution through innovative approaches to address public health issues for one of the most remote northern Australian communities. The project has created significant net value for the organisation and has opened up a new perspective in terms of delivering advanced water treatment capabilities for remote Australia.
Program Innovation Award
That’s My Water! - The Weather Web – Power and Water Corporation
That's My Water! - The Weather Web is a Power and Water Corporation initiative that installed weather stations and smart irrigation controllers across 40 Darwin schools, directly saving 120 million litres of water. Other benefits include classroom water efficiency lessons and the wider community accessing the weather stations for their own smart irrigation systems.
Student Water Prize
Leanyer Sanderson Waste Stabilisation Pond Microbiology – Alea Rose, Charles Darwin
University
Through her PhD on the microbiology of an urban waste stabilisation pond in North Australia's tropical savanna, Rose has identified a suite of human gut-associated bacteria to more accurately measure the wastewater stabilisation pond's footprint in the environment. Her work on nitrogen-cycling bacteria has identified zones of sub-optimum nitrogen-removal efficiency which helps managers target performance solutions.
Young Water Professional of the Year Award
Christina Bruno, Leader – NT, Tonkin
Christina is a highly motivated individual, with an interest in making the world a better place and a passion for the water industry and the sustainability of our future. She is known for being a ‘yes’ person who is willing to embrace opportunities, take calculated risks and step outside her comfort zone. Bruno's proven team leadership qualities are evident in the projects she manages within Tonkin and through her new role as Leader – NT. Bruno has also gained experience through her volunteer work with Engineers Without Borders over the past four years and the AWA as an active member of both the NT Branch Committee and the Young Water Professional National Taskforce.
Water Professional of the Year Award
Eric Vanweydeveld, Senior Project Manager, Power and Water Corporation
Eric Vanweydeveld is a passionate, resourceful and forward-thinking water leader. He draws on his interpersonal skills and strategic focus to deliver innovative, efficient and sustainable water solutions through a collaborative approach with his peers. Vanweydeveld challenges the status quo with innovation to deliver positive outcomes for communities. Over the past ten years, he has delivered a number of complex projects for Power and Water Corporation across the Northern Territory including the Alice Springs Water Recycling Plant, Adelaide River WTP, Leanyer Sanderson WWTP Inlet Works and Borroloola WTP. One of Vanweydeveld's career highlights is leading the design and delivery of the Adelaide River WTP, the first ever Australian application of biological iron and manganese removal filtration.