The 2026 New South Wales Water Award winners were celebrated at the NSW Heads of Water Gala Dinner on 13 March at the Hyatt Regency, recognising outstanding leadership, collaboration and innovation across the state’s water community.
The awards acknowledge individuals, teams and organisations whose work is delivering practical, positive outcomes for communities, industry and the environment.
AWA Chief Executive Corinne Cheeseman congratulated the finalists and winners, acknowledging the breadth and depth of work underway across New South Wales.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners for the impact you are having across the wider water sector,” she said.
“These awards highlight the strength of collaboration in our community, from regional councils and utilities working together, to partnerships between researchers, industry and government tackling some of our most complex challenges.”
“Each of these projects and individuals demonstrates what’s possible when expertise, trust and purpose come together.”
This year’s NSW Water Award winners will go on to represent the state in the national Australian Water Awards, with winners presented at the AWA’s annual water conference and exhibition Ozwater’26 in Brisbane.
Organisational Excellence Award (sponsored by Fulton Hogan)
Central NSW Joint Organisation and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Water Loss Management and Efficiency Hub
The Water Loss Management and Efficiency Hub project addresses non-revenue water loss, water conservation and network efficiency across regional NSW councils. Co-designed with NSW DCCEEW Water Efficiency team, the project demonstrates successful collaboration through a shared commitment to the complex challenges faced by regional water utilities.
R&D Excellence (sponsored by Water Research Australia)
SUEZ and SoilRegen – Restoring Land: Addressing One of the Biggest Environmental Challenges Facing Australia Using Resources from Water Filtration for a Sustainable Circular Economy
SUEZ and SoilRegen have cultivated a partnership grounded in trust and shared purpose, resulting in R&D providing a solution to one of Australia’s most pressing environmental challenges – land health. This initiative lifts the water sector, demonstrating how industries can collaborate to benefit each other and the land we value.
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (REGIONAL)
Shoalhaven Water, University of Wollongong and other contributing organisations – Sewer Pumpstation Battery Energy Storage Systems
Shoalhaven Water’s collaboration with UOW delivers innovative energy resilience through battery storage at sewer pump stations. This pioneering project ensures service continuity during outages, reduces emissions, and fosters academic partnerships – creating a scalable, sustainable model for infrastructure resilience in the Australian water sector.
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (METRO)
WaterNSW and C.R.Kennedy – Prospect Automated Surveying System
The Prospect Automated Surveying System revolutionises dam surveying with real-time, data-driven monitoring, advanced surveying technologies and solar-powered field energy. It delivers continuous, high-precision insights into dam performance. A WaterNSW original innovation that transforms manual inspections into intelligent automation, setting a benchmark for sustainable, resilient infrastructure monitoring in Australia’s water sector.
Student Water Prize (sponsored by Eurofins)
Tom Bessell – University of Sydney
ALBON – Turning Agri-Food Wastewater and CO₂ into Fertiliser with Algae Innovation
Tom Bessell, commerce student at the University of Sydney and co-founder of ALBON, leads a multidisciplinary team pioneering algae-based wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen, phosphorus, and CO₂ while creating carbon-negative fertiliser. Backed by the University of Sydney and global recognition, he is redefining wastewater as a circular, climate-positive resource.
Young Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by Xylem)
Cr Declan Clausen – Group Manager Strategy & External Affairs, Hunter Water
Environmental engineer and civic leader Declan Clausen is driving sustainability across the Hunter. As Group Manager Strategy & External Affairs at Hunter Water, Declan integrates strategy, community trust and environmental stewardship. As a Newcastle Councillor, he champions inclusion and water’s role in building resilient, equitable communities.
Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by KSB Australia)
Danielle Francis – Manager Customer and Policy, Water Services Association of Australia
Danielle has provided transformative strategic leadership and advocacy in safe and reliable water supplies supported by good policy frameworks. Her most notable achievement is advancing purified recycled water (PRW) for drinking. She spearheaded the All Options on the Table initiative, reframing the local and national conversation on water supply options.
Kamal Fernando Mentoring Award
Professor Qilin Wang – Founding Director of Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology, Sydney, and IWA Distinguished Fellow
Qilin is the top-ranked ARC Industry Fellow in Australia, mentoring PhD students, research engineers, postdocs, and students from the Industry Affiliates Program and Engineering Capstone Project through multi-partner R&D projects with industry partners. He serves on the IWA Specialist Group Management Committee and AWA Technical Advisory Committee for Water e-Journal.
Roger Pettitt Award
Sascha Moege – Manager Water Utility Policy and Pricing, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Sascha is a dedicated water policy professional with extensive experience supporting sustainable water outcomes in New South Wales. A long-term member of the NSW Branch Committee of the Australian Water Association, Sascha is a passionate advocate for mentoring and professional development, generously volunteering his time to support AWA initiatives and nurture emerging water professionals. His work reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, sector advancement, and community engagement.
The Association congratulates all the award finalists and winners and thanks our sponsors and supporters – John Holland, WaterNSW, Arup, BMD, Sequana, KSB Australia, Water Research Australia, Fulton Hogan, Eurofins and Xylem – for their support of this event and these important industry awards.
HEADS OF WATER DINNER AND AWARDS EVENT SPONSORSPRINCIPAL SPONSOR |
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