Water is not just a core operational enabler, it is one of the most significant environmental and social risks facing industries across Australia, and addressing it requires collaboration from all sectors.
Sponsored by BHP, Connected by Water will be held in Perth on 25-26 February 2026, bringing together leaders from agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing and beyond, with a focus on sustainable water management, productivity and resilience.
For BHP Head of Resource Engineering Excellence Linda Murry, the stakes are clear.
“Water is absolutely critical to the mining industry, but it is also one of the most significant environmental and social risks for all industries,” she said.
“I grew up on a farm and understand firsthand how essential water is to everything we do. Whether it is aquifer drawdown or water quality impacts, these issues affect everyone in Australia and globally in their everyday lives.”
Murry said the shared exposure to water security risk is why collaboration on water management across sectors matters.
“Connected by Water aligns strongly with our values. Being broader than mining, it brings together government, industry, local communities, and scientific organisations to focus on shared water challenges. That collaborative approach is central to how we operate,” she said.
“We believe in catchment level water management, not managing water in isolation. We operate within communities, both in Australia and internationally, and we all share responsibility for sustainable outcomes.
“We are also focused on long-term, climate-resilient water solutions. Supporting forums like Connected by Water demonstrates our commitment to finding the right balance between shareholder value and community value.
“Without community and industry support, we cannot succeed. Water is a shared resource, and that reality underpins our approach.”
Climate change is intensifying pressure on water systems across Australia and globally. Murry said this reality is already changing the way all sectors work with water.
“We are seeing more frequent droughts and more frequent floods. Sometimes the weather supports agricultural production, and sometimes it does not. That variability is becoming more pronounced, and it has real implications for water security and planning,” she said.
“Throughout this, building and maintaining trust within communities is critical, particularly when it comes to cultural water challenges. We are developing a much deeper appreciation of how important water is to Traditional Owners and to the broader community. Understanding cultural impacts and respecting different perspectives is essential as we move forward, including as we shift mines towards closure.”
Regulation is also shifting as industries place greater emphasis on equitable water stewardship, Murry said.
“These frameworks are essential to support communities and industry and to ensure positive outcomes for everyone. They are not just about managing risk. They are about ensuring fair and equitable access to water,” she said.
“However, integrated demand planning across industries and communities requires substantial capital investment. Securing funding for the large-scale changes needed to ensure future water security is one of the biggest challenges we face.”
While the challenges are real, Murry sees significant opportunities for shared progress.
“All industries face climate-related water risks. Increasing our shared understanding of water resources and improving how we model and plan for them is essential,” she said.
“There are significant opportunities for shared innovation hubs and research partnerships, particularly in areas such as water quality management, automation and advanced monitoring. We continue to collaborate with universities and research institutions to advance this work.
“Catchment planning on a broader scale is an evolving area. But improved data sharing is crucial. Better data leads to better models and better decision making, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more widely used.”
At the same time, water governance is becoming more sophisticated. Murry said BHP has been strengthening its understanding of Traditional Owner connections to water and the cultural significance it holds.
“We are working with the South Australian Government to explore desalination options to reduce additional pressures on the Great artesian Basin, while recognising its cultural importance to Traditional Owners. This aligns with our need for a strategic, long-term view of water management,” she said.
There are also opportunities linked to site closure and transition, Murry said, with BHP exploring regeneration and circular economy options for site renewal.
“As mines close, they often become long term water management facilities. In some cases, that responsibility continues in perpetuity. We are exploring how this transition can be optimised so that other industries can benefit from these sites. Water is a key connection point in enabling circular economy opportunities,” she said.
Feasibility work on pumped hydro at former coal operations is one example: “This has the potential to provide renewable energy that supports the broader energy transition and delivers lasting benefits to local communities. It is an example of how water infrastructure can underpin circular and climate resilient solutions,” Murry said.
Murry said BHP’s approach to all of its work is underpinned by its water stewardship position.
“We are very proud of our water stewardship public position statement, which outlines our approach to managing water in a way that protects ecosystems and strengthens long term regional water security," she said.
“Leaving a positive legacy is important to us. There is no value in leaving behind an empty aquifer. That is not what we stand for.
“We recognise the limits of traditional continental water resources such as groundwater. In response, we invest in alternatives such as desalination and explore options for recycling.
“We focus on reclaiming and reusing process water and improving tailings management to maximise water recovery. Importantly, we are embedding these considerations into new and expanding projects from the outset, ensuring best practice is built in from day one.”
Ultimately, knowledge sharing ties the work together. And Murry said Connected by Water offers a valuable opportunity to share and collaborate on sustainable solutions.
“No single organisation has all the answers. Connected by Water provides an important platform to engage beyond the mining industry. It enables meaningful dialogue with other sectors and encourages us to look beyond our own operational lens,” she said.
“We all have our own perspectives shaped by our industries. Events like this create the space to step back, engage with others and work together more effectively.
“That collaborative spirit is essential if we are to secure sustainable, equitable and climate resilient water futures.”
Learn more about Connected by Water (25-26 February) here.
Image credit: Brendan Stratton and BHP.