Celebrating Victoria’s water leaders and innovation at the 2026 Victorian Water Awards

The 2026 Victorian Water Awards have celebrated the state’s outstanding projects and professionals, recognising achievements in innovation, sustainability, workforce development and sector leadership.

Announced at the Victorian Gala Dinner & Awards held at the Melbourne Museum on 8 October, the Awards showcase the contribution of AWA members across research, programs and infrastructure projects.

AWA Chief Executive Corinne Cheeseman congratulated all the finalists and winners, recognising their commitment to delivering lasting benefits for communities and the environment.

“Victoria’s water community continues to show what can be achieved when people share their expertise and work together," Cheeseman said.

"This year’s winners demonstrate the breadth of talent, care and innovation helping secure our sustainable water future. 

“It’s a pleasure to recognise the professionals and researchers whose leadership and curiosity are opening new possibilities. AWA is proud to celebrate their contribution and the positive impact they are making across Victoria’s communities.”

This year’s Victorian Water Award winners will go on to represent the state in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at AWA’s annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater’27, in Sydney.

MEET THE WINNERS

Organisational Excellence Award (sponsored by Fulton Hogan)
 
CMP Consulting Group, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Greater Western Water, Yarra Valley Water, Barwon Water, Westernport Water and Engineers Australia – The Pipeline Before the Pipeline: Securing Australia's Water Future Through Gems in STEM

Gems in STEM is transforming the future of the Australian water sector by inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators. Through education, advocacy and collaboration, CMP and its industry partners have reached nearly 7,000 students, breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes and building a more diverse and sustainable workforce.

R&D Excellence (sponsored by Water Research Australia)

Westernport Water, CSIRO, RMIT University, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Intelligent Water Networks and other contributing organisations – Floating Wetlands to Decarbonise Wastewater Treatment

Westernport Water led a partnership with RMIT University, CSIRO, Covey Associates, Clarity Aquatic, DEECA, and IWN to design, install and evaluate a floating wetland in a wastewater lagoon. This innovative study assessed the effectiveness of wetland plants in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, improving water quality and removing nutrients and emerging contaminants.

Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (REGIONAL) (sponsored by CPB Contractors & UGL)

CMP Consulting Group, Barwon Water, Simpson Construction Company and other contributing organisations – The Infrastructure We Didn't Build: Delivering Water Security Through Risk-Based Engineering

The infrastructure we didn't build: By proving existing assets could safely deliver more, the MGP Project avoided 30 km of pipeline replacement, saved approximately $60 million and reduced embodied carbon by more than 5,000 tCO₂-e while strengthening regional water security.

Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (METRO) (sponsored by CPB Contractors & UGL)

VicWater, Greater Western Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, Central Highlands Water and other contributing organisations – Calming the Water Network with AI/ML

Pressure transients (“water hammer”) caused by abruptly operating valves and pumps are widely recognised as a dominant driver of pipe breaks and material fatigue in the water network. VicWater’s Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) program has been working with Transient Detect, an Adelaide start-up, and a collaboration of Victorian water authorities to use AI/ML to solve this wicked challenge and calm the network.

Student Water Prize
Samantha Harriage – Federation University
Spatiotemporal Dynamics, Risk Assessment, and Trophic Fate of Pharmaceuticals in a Rurally-Zoned Freshwater Terminal Lake

Samantha has, over the course of their PhD, investigated the transfer of pharmaceuticals through aquatic and terrestrial environments, with the focus of their concentration in surface water, flora and fauna in a terminal lake system.

Young Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by Xylem)

Adam Heaton – Developer Relationship and Reporting Lead, Greater Western Water

Adam Heaton is a respected young leader shaping the future of the Victorian water sector. He has led cross-sector collaboration on the challenges of data centre growth, influenced more sustainable development outcomes, and driven industry-wide improvements in planning and servicing, delivering lasting benefits for customers, communities and the environment.

Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by KSB Australia)

Ash Walsh – Program Director Customer Experience, South East Water

Since joining South East Water in 2022, Ash has driven digital transformation, leading Australia’s largest digital metering deployment and embedding data-driven decision-making across the organisation. Through innovation, strategic leadership and industry collaboration, he's delivered lasting benefits for customers, strengthened organisational performance and helped advance digital transformation across the water sector.

The Association congratulates all the award finalists and winners and thanks our sponsors – GHD, Barwon Water, Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, Arup, John Holland, Aurecon, CPB Contractors, UGL, Sequana, Fulton Hogan, Water Research Australia, Xylem and KSB Australia – for their support of this event and these important water community awards. 
 

Thank you to our Sponsors Principal Sponsor
Principal Partner VIC Water Awards
Major Sponsor
Pre-Dinner Networking Drinks Sponsor	After Dinner Networking Sponsor

Dinner Sponsors
Organisational Excellence Award Sponsor	Water Professional of the Year Award Sponsor
National R&D Excellence Award Sponsor	Young Water Professional of the Year Award Sponsor
Infrastructure Project Innovation (Metro and Regional) Award