Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, nominations open for a prestigious international award recognising innovation in sustainable water and sanitation, while Australian communities benefit from major infrastructure projects and water policy reforms.
Across the states and territories, Sydney Water’s Managing Director is stepping down after six years at the helm, Darwin River Dam is on the brink of spilling after a surge in late-season rainfall, and UNSW Sydney has received global recognition for excellence in water education under a new UNESCO-backed training label.
Internationally, new research sheds light on the consequences of global land water loss and the need for large-scale green infrastructure to cool urban environments.
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National
Nominations open for 2025 IWA Water and Development Awards
The call for nominations is now open for the 2025 International Water Association (IWA) Water and Development Awards, which recognise excellence, leadership and innovation in the water sector.
The awards spotlight outstanding contributions to sustainable water and sanitation practices in low- and middle-income countries, across both research and practical implementation.
Two categories are available: the Water and Development Award for Practice, which honours applied solutions and social innovation, and the Water and Development Award for Research, which recognises high-impact scientific contributions and early-stage business innovations.
Nominations close 11 May 2025, with winners announced at the IWA Water and Development Congress in Bangkok this December.
States and territories
Leadership transition at Sydney Water
Sydney Water Managing Director Roch Cheroux will conclude his role after six years leading the utility through major infrastructure planning and delivery.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said: “During his tenure, Roch Cheroux helped guide Sydney Water through a range of challenges including drought, urban growth and climate impacts. His leadership has helped lay the foundations for the future of water in Greater Sydney.”
Executive General Manager Paul Plowman will act as Chief Executive while a recruitment process is underway.
Victoria invests in sewer resilience for growing communities
South East Water is partnering with Abergeldie, BMD and KBR to deliver the Pakenham Wet Weather Storage and Pumping Station – a key project supporting one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regions.
Two concrete-lined lagoon storages will hold 19.5ML of wastewater during storm events, preventing overflows and protecting local waterways.
South East Water General Manager of Liveable Water Solutions Charlie Littlefair said: “This project is about future-proofing our Pakenham Water Recycling Plant and protecting the environment".
Water restrictions introduced on Tasmania’s east coast
Stage 1 water restrictions have been introduced in Orford, Triabunna and Lady Barron on Flinders Island due to dry conditions and high demand.
TasWater General Manager Customer and Community Matt Balfe said: “These small changes to water use can have a big impact on supply. We’ve had very dry weather across the state and no significant rain is forecast, so it’s important we ensure enough water is available during the busy school holiday period”.
Moonee Ponds Creek reimagined as a community destination
Melbourne Water has celebrated the completion of the first stage of naturalisation works along Moonee Ponds Creek, transforming a concrete drain into a thriving public space.
More than 43,000 native plants, new paths, a bridge and terracing now invite locals and visitors to reconnect with nature. Melbourne Water Executive General Manager Sue Jackman said: “Moonee Ponds Creek is a great example of how we can improve our city by working together.”
Unitywater delivers recycled water to Queensland farms
Unitywater’s Wamuran Irrigation Scheme is now delivering Class A recycled water to five local farms, helping boost crop yields and improve drought resilience.
Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson said: “The Wamuran Irrigation Scheme enables local growers to better plan for their business growth, contributing to local employment and investment in our region".
Gippsland Water rolls out automated flushing upgrades
Twenty new automated flushing devices will be installed by Gippsland Water over the next two years to help maintain water quality and reduce service disruptions. The devices can be activated remotely, including overnight or on weekends, without impacting customers.
Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming said: “Automated flushing offers more flexibility and avoids interruptions that can come with manual flushing".
Sydney Water expands design capacity with Beca HunterH2O
Beca HunterH2O has been appointed a Design Development Partner for Sydney Water, enhancing design processes and delivery capacity for major infrastructure programs.
Beca Group CEO Amelia Linzey said: “The Beca HunterH2O alliance reflects our business values… It is a great step forward in making a positive impact in the water sector in Australia”.
Water education goes mobile in regional NSW
WaterNSW has launched its new Catchment Carers program, bringing hands-on water science education to regional schools in the Sydney catchment. Recent sessions in Goulburn introduced primary students to local waterway creatures, pollution control, and catchment modelling.
WaterNSW Executive Manager Corporate Affairs Clair Cameron said: “It’s part of our new Catchment Carers program where we are taking to the road to deliver our water education activities at schools in Sydney’s drinking water catchment”.
“In Goulburn, students as young as 5 and 6 years of age became water scientists to explore some of the creatures living in local waterways, learn about the water cycle, catchments and pollutants, and make models of a healthy drinking water catchment.”
Darwin River Dam set to overflow after monsoon rainfall
Following recent rains, Darwin River Dam is nearing full capacity and is expected to flow over its spillway in the coming days.
Power and Water Executive General Manager Water Services Stephen Vlahovic said: ‘It’s great to see the dam almost full and spills often occur late in the wet season. But although it is expected, it’s timely to remind people to stay safe around flooded rivers, drains and waterways”.
‘The overflow, which is guided downstream in a controlled way to prevent structural damage, could last for days or weeks, depending on how much rain falls. Please, please be careful and vigilant in that area," he said.
NT reforms to streamline Aboriginal water access
The NT Government has introduced a Water Amendment Bill to remove regulatory barriers for Aboriginal water reserves.
The bill simplifies approval processes, allowing eligible Aboriginal landowners to more easily access water licenses for economic development.
Minister for Water Resources Joshua Burgoyne said: “This reform empowers Aboriginal landowners to take a greater role in decisions about how water is activated for community and economic benefit".
UNSW receives global label for water education excellence
The International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research has awarded its UNESCO Water Training and Education label to UNSW Sydney for two water engineering programs.
Recognised programs include the Master of Engineering Science in Water Engineering and the Water Engineering specialisation within the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
The label highlights world-class facilities and deep industry connections, including UNSW’s Water Research Laboratory and Water Research Centre.
International
Land water losses pose global risks for farming and sea level
A global study co-authored by University of Melbourne Hydrology Professor Dongryeol Ryu has found that more than 2,000 gigatons of water have disappeared from land over the past two decades – shifting into the oceans and contributing to sea level rise.
Published in Science, the research warns that declining soil moisture, snowpack and river flows could have lasting impacts on agriculture and global drought patterns.
“This significant shift of water from land to the ocean is particularly worrisome for farming,” the researchers said.
Green infrastructure must scale up to cool urban climates
A Swedish study has found that small-scale nature-based solutions like green roofs and rain gardens have limited impact on local temperatures, unless applied across wider urban landscapes.
The research, conducted in Stockholm Royal Seaport and published in ScienceDirect, showed only minor cooling effects between different nature-based features.
“Forest parks provided the most cooling, while green roofs were the warmest,” said lead researcher Timon McPhearson. The study supports the need for large, interconnected green networks to meaningfully influence urban microclimates.
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