Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week across the water community, the Federal Government has launched its First Nations Strategy 2025-2030, embedding Indigenous Knowledge into policy and water management. Around Australia, WA has partnered with Rio Tinto to strengthen water security in the Pilbara, while NSW and the ACT are developing a joint water trading framework for the Murrumbidgee River. Plus, there’s been a $10.5 million investment that will see advanced telemetry installed across the Murray-Darling Basin.
Victoria is expanding recycled water use in Horsham, Coliban Water is investing in STEM education to build future sector expertise and Urban Utilities has secured a $50 million contract for network maintenance. Meanwhile, Gippsland Water is trialling the use of alum sludge in road construction.
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National
First Nations Strategy 2025-2030 launched
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has unveiled its First Nations Strategy 2025-2030, a commitment to incorporating First Nations expertise in policy, program and regulatory work.
The strategy aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and will be implemented in two phases: Foundations (2025-2026) and Embedding (2026-2030).
The strategy was developed in consultation with First Nations staff and the department’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. It aims to transform how government priorities are delivered across climate change, energy, heritage and water, ensuring Country remains central to decision-making.
Louise Adams to lead Aurecon as CEO
Global design, engineering and advisory firm Aurecon has announced that Louise Adams will take over as Group CEO from July 2025. Adams, currently the company's Chief Operating Officer, succeeds Bill Cox, whose tenure saw Aurecon achieve record growth in tackling energy security, urbanisation and climate change.
Aurecon Chair Giam Swiegers said: “[Adam’s] deep expertise in Asia will enhance our trade and investment links across the Asia-Pacific, supporting our vision of a connected and networked Aurecon”.
States and territories
Water security boost for Pilbara communities
The Western Australian Government has signed an MoU with Rio Tinto to enhance water security in the Pilbara, where declining rainfall and groundwater recharge threaten local supplies. The West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme services multiple towns and industrial areas.
Water Minister Simone McGurk said: “These steps will make significant progress towards reducing pressure on groundwater and responding to concerns from Traditional Owners about environmental and cultural impacts”.
NSW and ACT advance joint water trading framework
The NSW and ACT Governments are developing the first joint water trading framework to release an extra 6.36 GL into the Murrumbidgee River. The initiative will help both states meet commitments under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said: “The ACT is landlocked by our state, and they can’t deliver this water back to the system without our help”. Consultation sessions on the framework will take place in late February 2025.
$10.5 million investment in water telemetry for NSW
More than 2,500 groundwater and surface water sites in NSW’s Murray-Darling Basin will receive state-of-the-art telemetry devices, funded by a $10.5 million investment from the Federal Government. The technology will support sustainable water use and streamline compliance for licence holders.
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said: “Accurate metering benefits us all – gives us better information and saves time. That’s why our Government is investing in telemetry to improve transparency across the Basin”.
Horsham expands water recycling for green spaces
Victoria’s Horsham SmartWater and Integrated Water Management Project is now operational, delivering 126ML of recycled water annually to parks, sports grounds and agricultural research at the Horsham SmartFarm. The project includes a reverse osmosis plant and an extensive pipe network .
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney said: “This sustainable water project will ensure our parks and fields stay green without using our precious drinking water”.
Coliban Water invests in STEM education
Coliban Water has partnered with Discovery Science and Technology Centre Bendigo and La Trobe University to foster local expertise in water and sewerage treatment.
The three-year initiative aims to build science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) skills in future water industry professionals.
Chief Officer Assets and Operations Danny McLean said: “If we can develop the expertise we need locally, we’ll be well-placed to deliver for our customers and prepare young people for the jobs of the future”.
Urban Utilities secures $50m maintenance partnership
Urban Utilities has signed a contract worth up to $50 million per year with Service Stream to enhance the maintenance of its water and wastewater networks across South East Queensland. The new incentivised contract aims to improve efficiency, safety, and environmental outcomes while keeping costs low for customers.
CEO Paul Arnold said: “Our partnership with Service Stream will help us deliver on our commitments to safe and reliable water services for 1.6 million customers every day”.
Gippsland Water explores sustainable road construction
Gippsland Water is investigating the use of alum sludge to create more sustainable gravel pavements. Early findings suggest the material can bear the same weight as traditional gravel, with further tests planned outside the laboratory.
Managing Director Sarah Cumming said: “The study indicated the mixture can bear the same amount of weight as traditional pavement, but there is more work to do before we can test it in real-world conditions”.
Wannon Water begins search for new Managing Director
Wannon Water has commenced the recruitment process for a new Managing Director, as current leader Andrew Jeffers has announced he will not seek reappointment when his contract expires in July 2025.
Jeffers, who has led the organisation since 2015, reflected on his tenure, stating: “Wannon Water is a fabulous organisation. We do important work which is of immense benefit to our communities and our region”.
Urban Utilities inks major maintenance contract
Urban Utilities has signed a $50 million per year contract with essential network service provider Service Stream to oversee maintenance of its water and wastewater infrastructure.
CEO Paul Arnold described the new arrangement as an “incentivised partnership” designed to improve operational efficiency, safety and environmental outcomes: “This will help us keep downward pressure on bills while delivering reliable services to our 1.6 million customers”.
International
Breakthrough sponge removes pollutants from water
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a specialised sponge that absorbs pollutants like heavy metals, phosphates, and industrial contaminants from water. The sponge is coated with nanoparticles designed to attract pollutants, making it a reusable and cost-effective solution.
Unlike many current water treatment technologies, which are expensive and single-use, this sponge can be “rinsed” under different pH conditions, allowing it to release the collected pollutants and be used repeatedly. In earlier versions, the sponge was also able to remove oil spills and microplastics from oceans and lakes.
New molecular cages designed to trap water contaminants
Scientists have developed metal-organic cage (MOC) molecules that efficiently trap pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemicals in waterways.
While MOCs have been used before for gas and chemical capture in organic solvents, this marks one of the first instances where a water-soluble MOC has been successfully developed.
The innovation, published in Cell Reports Physical Sciences, suggests a more adaptable and scalable approach. With water contamination from pharmaceuticals becoming an increasing concern globally, this discovery could provide a more efficient way to prevent pollutants from entering drinking water systems.
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