---
title: Specialist Network - Desalination
description: The Desalination network provides members with niche water management expertise and resources. Ask the AWA.
---

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- Desalination

![AWA Desalination Specialist Networks ](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Water%20Specialist%20Networks/Specialist%20Networks-Desalination.jpg?width=900&height=226&name=Specialist%20Networks-Desalination.jpg "AWA Desalination Specialist Networks ")

# YOUR DESALINATION SPECIALIST NETWORK

This network is committed to raising the awareness of desalination technologies for supply, reuse, reclamation, purification, and treatment to improve Australia’s management of our greatest resource - water.     
    
The network has a mission to enhance communication and networking among industry peers. Using the extensive knowledge, research, and ‘real-life experience gained in Australia from the early 1970s, we seek to promote desalination technologies for the treatment of brackish groundwater, saline mine water, seawater, industrial water and innovative water reuse. As part of this mission, we seek to encourage research, the dissemination of information and to support education in the fields of desalination in Australia. We are also committed to improving communication to the Australian community about desalination and water reuse and their critical role in providing reliable and sustainable water sources to achieve water security across Australia.  

The Committee also has strong links with the [International Desalination & Reuse Association](https://idrawater.org/) (IDRA) and the Asia Pacific Desalination and Reuse Association ([APDRA)](http://apda.asia/en/about.aspx?cateid=108)** ** 

## MEET THE COMMITTEE

The committee comprising experienced practitioners who are AWA members from the public and private sectors is keen to promote the interchange of ideas, knowledge and experience between AWA members with an interest in desalination.  Collaboration opportunities occur through national and international conferences, member circles, webinars and direct introductions between like-minded water professionals.  

We welcome ideas and suggestions from our AWA members for discussion at our bi-monthly Committee meetings. 

*What needs do you have the network may help meet? What challenges are you facing in your role that could benefit from a member circle forum discussion to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome?

*To get in touch reach out to our Member Engagement Manager (details below). 

**Chair**  
Scott Murphy

**Vice-Chair  
**Andrew Shek

**Committee Members**   
Andrew Head  
Daniel Visser  
Delia Pastorelli  
Dharma Dharmabalan  
Gary Crisp   
George De Cicco   
Julien Tauvry  
Matthew Blaikie  
Matthew Brannock  
Mehdi Khiadani  
Neil Palmer   
Reinhardt Koch  
Scott Chalmers

## CONNECT AT OUR NEXT MEMBER CIRCLE

Member circles are exclusive to AWA members and provide an opportunity to share knowledge with like-minded professionals and practitioners.  To receive your invite to our next member circle, log in and ensure you have Desalination selected as one of your Specialist Network preferences to receive invitations. 

**The next Desalination Member Circle: AMTA Guidelines Update ****will take place on Wednesday 12 August 2026.**

If you're not sure on your membership status and/or to how to access your member profile (see Member Dashboard above right hand side of this webpage) contact [kwhitehead@awa.asn.au](mailto:kwhitehead@awa.asn.au) or [membership@awa.asn.au](mailto:membership@awa.asn.au).

 

## SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

###### The objectives of the Desalination Specialist Network are:  

Provide a forum to facilitate interaction between members 

Provide a mechanism for members to share and seek information, experiences and knowledge 

Provide a forum for the presentation of material of general interest to the network members 

Provide a mechanism to coordinate production of desalination subject material for issue to other parties or the public through the AWA 

## RESOURCES

[![Desalination Fact Sheet](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/14568786/interactive-186851275526.png) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLjXVStgyWURri8r4QEi18zfodp9z%2FUxOqId9ScqAzDeMwlJRoXVZDcB7pshTdmq3BPyEK5YpRlEtPjBgU4LDS3ZAokRS8kwuq7%2BwUUDLDugZ4k%2BaSa28YriGyaCEa4dKWqWyrLP%2BnjWib4U69XwI9eF51ora7siBhNz4xhJaURBLVHyoxD%2FlgSd1utjWlY%2FjT3uvqM2uYW2YCCu5%2BmZjIEgZLs4ftV%2FFKqgb2tFb23u6o%2FEUyK%2FqDVKg3J7pxnBIx3LlVJs3EAQOOx5eXnd%2FZWTpsjmQvNFOuM%2BdcIkIzwipIq8ABGTDQTR%2BrKGx%2B3TAu2WDockM3n%2FSVHEu0%3D&webInteractiveContentId=186851275526&portalId=14568786)

[New Developments in Desalination](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Desalination%20Specialist%20Network/Desalination%20Fact%20Sheet_New%20Developments%20in%20Desalination.pdf)

[WHO Guidelines for Desalinated Water](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-HSE-WSH-11.03) 

[International Desalination and Reuse Association](http://www.idadesal.org/) (IDRA)   
The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is the world’s leading resource for information and professional development for the global desalination industry. IDRA is the only global association focused exclusively on desalination and desalination technologies. 

**IWA Specialist Groups** 

AWA is the Governing Member for IWA in Australia, and this network encourages the connection with the [Membrane Technology](https://iwa-network.org/iwa-specialist-groups/) IWA Specialist Group along with many other IWA Specialist Groups<https://iwa-network.org/iwa-specialist-groups/>.  

**American Membrane Technology Association **[(AMTA)](http://www.amtaorg.com/)**  
**   
AMTA provides broad opportunities for the exchange of technical, operational and financial information among individuals and organisations interested in membrane technologies. As the leading advocate of membrane processes in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America, AMTA is a strong voice for regulatory and legislative reforms essential to the understanding, acceptance and utilization of membrane technologies. 

[**AMTA Fact sheets**](http://www.amtaorg.com/publications-communications/membrane-technology-fact-sheets-summary)  

AMTA offers access to their proprietary Fact Sheets, a series of technical papers authored specifically for AMTA by professionals in every field of water treatment expertise. These sheets provide information on every aspect of membrane technology, system design, application, operation, and key industry definitions.  

**Additional Resources **  
[Veolia Water Technologies (Desalination)](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en/applications/desalination)  
[Veolia Seawater Desalination Solution](https://www.veolia.com/en/seawater-desalination)  
[Veolia Desalination Process Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKmVdy9tt0I)

**Articles**  
[Is desalination becoming Australia’s most reliable water source?](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/is-desalination-becoming-australias-most-reliable-water-source)

## GET IN TOUCH

Desalination Specialist Network Coordinator  
Kyllie Whitehead  

Email: [kwhitehead@awa.asn.au](mailto:kwhitehead@awa.asn.au) | Ph: 02 9467 8420 or   
Get in touch using the[ Contact Us](https://www.awa.asn.au/contact-us) form

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