Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, all eyes are on Queensland and NSW as Cyclone Alfred brings extreme weather, testing the region’s resilience.
Australian researchers have made a breakthrough in safely destroying PFAS, the latest version of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan has been released and the Nature Repair Market has unveiled its first approved method for land restoration.
Across the states, Yarra Valley Water is in the running for a prestigious global award, a new shared pathway has opened in Belmont South and Tasmania is celebrating a stunning new water-themed mural. Internationally, concerns are growing over microplastics from plastic-coated fertilisers.
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National
Cyclone Alfred triggers flooding and infrastructure damage
Cyclone Alfred has caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
Heavy rainfall has led to swollen rivers, forcing evacuations in affected communities. Emergency services are responding to road closures, power outages and disrupted water supplies. Authorities warn of ongoing risks as recovery efforts begin.
New research reveals how to safely destroy PFAS
A team of Australian and international scientists has developed a method to safely destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through incineration.
While there is currently a moratorium on burning PFAS in the United States and regulatory uncertainty elsewhere, researchers from CSIRO, the University of Newcastle, Colorado State University and the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory in China have demonstrated a pathway for their safe and complete destruction inside a hazardous waste incinerator.
Dr Wenchao Lu from CSIRO explained that the team studied perfluorohexanoic acid, a common type of PFAS, and identified the short-lived intermediary molecules formed during combustion.
“By taking ‘snapshots’ of the chemical reactions as they occur, we can see what intermediaries or harmful free radicals form inside the incinerator,” Dr Lu said.
This research could provide critical guidance for regulators and industry worldwide on how to tackle PFAS contamination without increasing air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
PFAS National Environmental Management Plan updated
The third version of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP 3.0) has been released, providing updated national guidance on managing PFAS contamination.
The new version, developed by the National Chemical Working Group and endorsed by Heads of EPA Australia and New Zealand, includes new guideline values for investigation and risk assessment, updated remediation guidance, and criteria for the re-use of PFAS-contaminated biosolids.
The PFAS NEMP is an evolving document, updated to reflect emerging scientific knowledge. Environment ministers across Australia agreed to publish the new version in December 2024.
Nature Repair Market launches first approved method
The first approved method for the Nature Repair Market has been released, allowing landholders to register projects focused on replanting native forests and restoring ecosystems.
The Nature Repair Market is a voluntary initiative aimed at driving investment into biodiversity conservation. Landholders can secure funding to restore land and apply for biodiversity certificates, which can be retained, deposited with the regulator, or sold to investors.
This method also enables landholders to participate in both the Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) scheme and the Nature Repair Market, providing a financial incentive for integrating carbon and biodiversity projects.
Murray-Darling Basin water conference set for 2025
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will host its fifth annual River Reflections conference in Murray Bridge, South Australia, on 29-30 July 2025.
MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the event will highlight the diversity of challenges and opportunities across the Basin, spanning from Queensland to the Murray Mouth.
“In early July, we will release the Basin Plan Evaluation, which will tell us what’s working, what’s not, and where improvement is needed,” he said.
States and territories
Yarra Valley Water a finalist for public water agency of the year
Yarra Valley Water has been named one of four global finalists for the Public Water Agency of the Year title at the Global Water Intelligence Awards 2025.
Managing Director Pat McCafferty said it was an honour to be recognised alongside the world’s leading water organisations.
“This is well-deserved recognition of the work we do every day to provide great drinking water and essential sewerage services to two million Victorians, as well as championing industry innovation to create a positive difference for communities and the environment,” he said.
New shared pathway opens in Belmont South
A new shared pathway has opened on Beach Street in Belmont South, thanks to a collaboration between Hunter Water and Lake Macquarie City Council.
The pathway enhances accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and was prioritised to offset construction impacts from the Belmont Desalination Plant, which will be built over the next four years.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley welcomed the project, saying it was a great example of collaboration between local and state organisations to improve public spaces.
Have your say on updated water sharing plan wetland mapping
The NSW Government is updating wetland mapping in six regional draft water sharing plans based on community feedback.
Residents, landholders and stakeholder groups are invited to review the revised maps and provide further input before final plans are released later this year.
Tasmania’s Tolosa Park reservoir mural celebrates water journey
TasWater’s Asset Art Program has delivered another striking piece, with a new mural at Tolosa Park in Glenorchy depicting Tasmania’s water journey.
Created by local artist Harrison Bowe in collaboration with Vibrance Projects, the artwork was selected by the community and showcases Mount Gould and the Styx River.
“The concept behind the works was to provide a visual representation of the course water takes to end up in these tanks and effectively their homes,” Bowe said.
Trees for Schools program returns in 2025
Greater Western Water (GWW) has reopened its Trees for Schools program, offering local schools up to 50 native tree tube stocks to help increase urban green spaces.
GWW General Manager of Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said: "Last year we delivered over 2,500 trees to 52 schools across our service area and we want to give more trees to more schools in 2025!"
Corangamite CMA and Barwon water strengthen partnership
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Barwon Water have formalised a new Partnership Agreement to improve the health of waterways and catchments in the Barwon region.
Building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022, the four-year agreement is guided by a joint vision of: Walking with Traditional Owners to enhance prosperity, by creating a nature and climate positive future for the Greater Barwon region together.
Barwon Water Chair Jo Plummer said: “Barwon Water is committed to applying a caring for Country approach to land and waterways, in partnership with Traditional Owners, other agencies and community members".
Urban Utilities and Ecomarines unite for Clean Up Australia Day
Urban Utilities and the EcoMarines Foundation teamed up with Clean Up Australia for the 35th annual Clean Up Australia Day, targeting plastic pollution.
Urban Utilities spokesperson Claire Scott said one of the most common littered items remains plastic bottles, with around one in seven collected last year being a single-use bottle.
“That’s why we’re excited to team up with Clean Up Australia to help combat plastic pollution by encouraging Queenslanders to swap single use water bottles for a reuseable one filled with tap water,” she said.
International
Research highlights microplastic risks from fertilisers
A study from Mizzou Engineering researchers has raised concerns about microplastic pollution from polymer-coated, controlled-release fertilisers (PC-CRFs).
While PC-CRFs improve crop efficiency by gradually releasing nutrients, their non-biodegradable coatings degrade into tiny plastic particles, which accumulate in soil and waterways.
Associate Professor Maryam Salehi, who led the study, said these coatings should be considered microplastics and called for biodegradable alternatives.
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