Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, WaterAid Australia celebrates two decades of transformative impact, while a new leader takes the helm at Water Research Australia. Across the states, South East Water and RMIT University devise a ground-breaking method for producing green hydrogen, riverbank rehabilitation progresses in the Hunter and mobile filtration technology targets water quality in the Blue Mountains. Internationally, scientists warn of accelerated regional warming and a revolutionary desalination system emerges.
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National
WaterAid Australia marks 20 years of impact
WaterAid Australia celebrated its 20th anniversary at a Melbourne event highlighting two decades of improving global water, sanitation and hygiene services. Since its inception, WaterAid has reached over five million people globally, improving conditions in 88 healthcare facilities and 511 schools.
WaterAid Australia CEO Tom Muller reflected on the milestone: “Over the past 20 years, we’ve worked alongside governments, communities and the water sector to deliver real, tangible change”.
“This event is not just a look back at what we’ve achieved but a call to action for what we can accomplish together in the years ahead,” he said.
New CEO appointed for Water Research Australia
Water Research Australia has announced the appointment of Dr David Bergmann as CEO, commencing 28 January 2025. Bergmann, a seasoned leader in research and development, will focus on engaging with the organisation’s membership base and enhancing its service offerings.
WaterRA Chair Mark Gobbie is confident in Bergmann’s ability to drive innovation, noting his extensive experience across public and private sectors and his track record in delivering transformational outcomes.
States and territories
Green hydrogen project wins climate innovation challenge
South East Water and RMIT University’s innovative method of producing green hydrogen from solar radiation and recycled water has won the 2024 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge.
The world-first technology utilises a floating modular platform to transform solar energy and recycled water into green hydrogen and valuable oxidants like ozone and hydrogen peroxide. This dual benefit reduces carbon emissions, addresses energy challenges and improves water quality.
South East Water Managing Director Lara Olsen highlighted the project's role in tackling climate challenges: “By transforming recycled water into clean energy and enhancing water treatment processes, this project demonstrates a real-world solution to achieving net-zero goals".
AI-powered water quality heat map wins challenge
An intelligent data management system that creates a heat map to display water quality changes along the Pine River has won Unitywater’s 2024 GovHack challenge.
The winning solution, Flow-Sense AI, was developed by the team ‘Alternative Engineers’ – a group of University of the Sunshine Coast students – during the 46-hour open government data competition held at the university in September.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Experience Katherine Gee said the challenge encouraged participants to use 10 years’ worth of water quality data to explore how AI could enhance environmental governance and water testing.
“We’ve been so impressed with the entries for our challenge and Flow-Sense AI was a standout submission that provides a game-changing and community-centric approach to water quality insights,” Gee said.
Logs stabilise Williams River banks
Hunter Water has made progress in rehabilitating the Williams River’s eroding banks by securing over 1,400 sustainably sourced hardwood logs from local infrastructure projects. The initiative aims to prevent further erosion, improve water quality and create vital aquatic habitats.
Hunter Water Executive Manager Glen Robinson said: “These logs, which might otherwise have been mulched or discarded as waste, are now being used to protect the Williams River and create vital habitats for aquatic life”.
Tolosa Park reopens after major transformation
TasWater has completed the $6.2 million redevelopment of Glenorchy’s Tolosa Park, transforming the site into family-friendly parkland. The project included removing a dam wall, earthworks, and landscaping to create water features and open green spaces.
TasWater General Manager Tony Willmott said: “To see the area transformed into a beautiful parkland is particularly satisfying. It holds so many amazing memories for people across the region, and this project ensures it will be enjoyed for generations to come”.
Mobile filtration plant addresses water contamination
The NSW Government is deploying a $3.4 million mobile filtration plant to address tap water contamination caused by “forever chemicals” in the Blue Mountains.
The Cascade Water Filtration Plant, serving nearly 50,000 residents, will use advanced granular activated carbon and ion exchange technology to ensure safe drinking water.
Central Highlands Water delivers sustainable recreation project
Central Highlands Water has completed the Beaufort Reuse for Recreation Project, which will reuse treated wastewater to irrigate school ovals, golf courses and recreational spaces. This initiative aims to reduce demand on drinking water supplies while enhancing community wellbeing.
Central Highlands Water Managing Director Jeff Haydon said: “This exciting project, with a climate resilience and sustainability focus, ensures we reduce demand on the town’s drinking water supply and keep valued recreation spaces green”.
Gippsland Water tests energy-efficient wastewater tech
Gippsland Water has secured $50,000 from the Victorian Climate Innovation Challenge to trial Nanobubble Oxygenation at the Neerim South wastewater treatment plant. The technology aims to reduce energy consumption by improving aeration efficiency.
Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming said: “If the trial is successful, we’d look to permanently install the technology and share our findings with the rest of the water industry”.
Sydney Water invests $200 million in infrastructure upgrades
Sydney Water has awarded two major infrastructure contracts worth $200 million to the Ironbark Joint Venture to support North West Sydney’s growing population. Projects include a new rising main, a sewage pumping station upgrade, and the Thornleigh Pipeline Duplication, enhancing wastewater and drinking water capacity.
Sydney Water Program Director Darren Wharton said: “This partnership will ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with community growth and safeguards reliable water services for thousands of residents”.
International
AI predicts accelerated regional warming
A new study in Environmental Research Letters combining AI with climate models projects most land regions will surpass 1.5°C of warming by 2040 and some regions will exceed 3.0°C by 2060.
Vulnerable areas like South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa face compounded risks to ecosystems and communities.
Professor Elizabeth Barnes of Colorado State University said: “Our research underscores the importance of incorporating innovative AI techniques like transfer learning into climate modelling to provide actionable insights”.
New desalination system generates hydrogen and cool air
Engineers in Qatar have developed a modular desalination system that simultaneously produces electricity, hydrogen, and cool air for refrigeration.
The system can generate 52.8 m³ of freshwater daily, along with clean energy, making it a multifunctional solution for water-scarce, energy-demanding regions.
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