Week in water: updates from across the water community

This week in water, the Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP) held the National Biosolids Conference in Hobart, leading crucial conversations on sustainable biosolids reuse, while water sector organisations around Australia mark World Water Day. 

Across the states and territories, new research from Flinders University is exploring how Pacific atoll communities can secure freshwater amid rising sea levels, Seqwater is pushing forward with a major dam improvement program and South East Water is supporting culturally diverse communities through water safety education. 

Internationally, a WaterAid report reveals the world’s cities most vulnerable to extreme climate shifts, while researchers in the USA have developed a new method to break down plastic using moisture from the air. 

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National 

National Biosolids Conference hits Hobart 
Hobart hosted the ANZBP National Biosolids Conference on 17-18 March 2025, bringing together industry, regulators and community leaders to explore sustainable biosolids management. 

The event focused on treatment innovations, regulatory challenges and the circular economy. TasWater’s Matt Derbyshire said Tasmania is embracing resource recovery and was pleased to host the event.

“We are not just in the business of sewage treatment – we are in the business of turning waste into valued resources,” he said. 

“This is just one part of our environmental aspirations of reaching net zero emissions, zero waste and creating healthier land and waterways by 2050.” 

Australian water sector celebrates World Water Day  
To mark World Water Day, Yarra Valley Water is celebrating the successes of its international partnership with Indonesian water utility PDAM Tirta Musi, now in its third year. 

Facilitated by the Australian Water Association and supported by the Australian Water Partnership, the program fosters knowledge-sharing and capacity-building between Australian and Indonesian utilities. 

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty said the collaboration was delivering benefits for both organisations: “The Twinning Program provides an opportunity to make a positive difference beyond our own service area to address common water sector challenges and work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. 

“The partnership gives Tirta Musi staff in Sumatra greater confidence and capability to reduce water losses, improve water resilience, enhance energy efficiency and provide safe, inclusive workplaces.” 

A study by the University of Technology Sydney found that the partnership had helped improve non-revenue water, develop an asset database and build long-term strategic planning skills. 
 
New Australian Youth Advisory Council to shape climate action 
Ten young Australians have been appointed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to the Youth Advisory Council on International Climate Change, providing insights into Australia’s global climate policies. 

The council will contribute to Australia’s role in the Paris Agreement and UN climate negotiations, ensuring youth perspectives shape climate strategies. 

Its work plan will be co-designed with DCCEEW, with members serving until December 2025. 

States and territories 

Pacific atoll water security requires new solutions 
Hydrology experts at Flinders University are calling for urgent investigations into how bore-fields operate on Pacific atoll islands, including Kiribati, where rising sea levels are already threatening local water supplies. 

Flinders University Professor Adrian Werner said: “These atoll islands have the most threatened fresh groundwater on Earth and are relied upon by some of the most remote communities". 

Researchers are exploring how infiltration galleries – horizontal wells that extract fresh groundwater while minimising saltwater intrusion – could provide a more sustainable source of drinking water for these vulnerable communities. 
 
Ceduna water infrastructure upgrade underway 
SA Water has begun construction on a 4.5 million-litre water storage tank and a 12 km pipeline in Ceduna to improve water security for 1,800 homes and businesses. 

The $37 million project, delivered with McConnell Dowell Diona joint venture, will expand Ceduna’s water network and support future growth. 

“This project will provide more storage capacity and ensure a secure supply during peak demand periods,” said SA Water’s Peter Seltsikas. 

Construction is expected to finish by November 2025, with work scheduled in two-week cycles to minimise disruption. 
 
Perth’s Groundwater Replenishment Scheme reaches milestone 
Perth’s Groundwater Replenishment Scheme has recharged 100 billion litres of purified recycled water into groundwater aquifers.  

Commissioned by Water Corporation in 2017, the scheme purifies treated wastewater to drinking water standards before recharging it into aquifers, helping to sustain Perth’s vital groundwater supplies. 

Groundwater makes up 40% of Perth’s drinking water, but since 1980, rainfall has declined by 20%, and groundwater levels have dropped by as much as 10 metres in some areas. 

Water Corporation’s Rino Trolio said groundwater replenishment is a key response to climate change: “We’ve had to do things differently in WA, turning to innovative projects like the Groundwater Replenishment Scheme that reduce our reliance on rainfall". 

“This milestone highlights to other utilities how beneficial such a scheme can be in a drying climate,” he said.  

Seqwater moves forward with major dam upgrades 
Seqwater has awarded AECOM a major contract to provide engineering consultancy services on its Dam Improvement Program. 

The program is focused on ensuring south-east Queensland’s dams continue to operate safely and meet modern engineering standards. 

Seqwater CEO Emma Thomas said: “Through Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program, we’re investing in the longevity of our region’s dams to ensure they meet updated regulatory requirements and provide water security and flood mitigation benefits for generations to come". 

The next stage of upgrades will focus on gated dams, including Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine. 
 
Water-generated electricity breakthrough 
New research from RMIT and the University of Melbourne has found that electricity generated by water can be 10 times more powerful than previously thought. 

Published in Physical Review Letters, the study examined how water moving over surfaces generates an electric charge. Researchers discovered that charge is significantly stronger when water moves from dry to wet, rather than wet to dry. 

RMIT’s Dr Peter Sherrel said: “This work shows that charge can be created at the moment liquid first contacts a surface and is 10 times stronger than previously known". 

The findings could lead to new advances in renewable energy and energy storage.

South East Water supports water safety for diverse communities 
For Cultural Diversity Week, South East Water is celebrating the grassroots efforts of the African Women’s and Families Network (AWAFN), which is helping young people develop critical water safety skills. 

AWAFN received a 2024 South East Water Community Grant to support its African Youth Resilience project, which delivers swim safety workshops facilitated by Life Saving Victoria. 

AWAFN President and co-founder Theresa Sengaaga Ssali said: “Many young people from diverse backgrounds have limited experience with water safety. This program teaches them essential swimming skills and helps them become more connected in their communities”.  
 
Dunedoo set for drinking water upgrade 
A $1.2 million investment by the NSW Government and Warrumbungle Shire Council will explore options to improve Dunedoo’s 100-year-old water network. 

The town’s system, which treats bore water from the Talbragar River with chlorination, will be assessed for modern upgrades to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. 

NSW DCCEEW Lisa Hingerty said: “With infrastructure over a century old, the system is no longer treating water effectively. We’re thrilled to support this project to explore new technology and upgrades". 

Beca HunterH2O partners with Sydney Water
Beca HunterH2O has been named a Design Development Partner for Sydney Water, supporting the city's growing infrastructure needs.

The partnership will enhance project designs, expand delivery capacity, and strengthen resilience in the face of population growth and climate change.

Beca Group CEO Amelia Linzey said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and engineering excellence: “This partnership is a great step forward in making a positive impact in Australia’s water sector".
 
Sustainability Impact Awards winners revealed
Schneider Electric has named SA Power Networks and WaterNSW as Pacific Customer Joint winners of its 2025 Sustainability Impact Awards, recognising leadership in decarbonisation, energy efficiency and sustainable transformation. 

SA Power Networks was recognised for its use of 80% renewable energy, SF6-free switchgear and grid-stabilising technology to accelerate South Australia’s energy transition. 

WaterNSW was awarded for its innovative AI-driven water management, including drones, remote sensing, and climate data modelling, as well as its commitment to First Nations' water rights. 

International

WaterAid report reveals cities most vulnerable to climate shifts 
As Australia recovers from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, WaterAid has released new data highlighting the growing global crisis of water-related disasters. 

The ‘Water and Climate: Rising Risks for Urban Populations’ report identifies the world’s 100 most populated cities that are increasingly exposed to floods and droughts. 

The study, developed with researchers from the University of Bristol and Cardiff University, found that 17% of cities are experiencing ‘climate whiplash’ – extreme fluctuations between drought and flooding – while 20% have flipped from one extreme to the other. 

Southern Asia is emerging as a flood hotspot, while European cities are experiencing significant drying trends, all of which impact water security. 

Researchers use air moisture to break down plastic 
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a new solvent-free, low-energy method to break down plastic waste using moisture from the air. 

The process uses an inexpensive catalyst to break apart polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – the most common plastic in the polyester family – into its base components. 

Co-researcher Yosi Kratish said: “The US is the number one plastic polluter per capita, and we only recycle 5% of those plastics. There is a dire need for better technologies that can process different types of plastic waste”.  

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