WaterAid Australia’s strong partnership with the Australian water sector was on show again as a passionate team from Hunter Water travelled to Colombia to see the impact of their award-winning ideas through WaterAid’s global innovation challenge, Winnovators.
Winnovators is WaterAid’s flagship employee development program, offering staff a meaningful way to engage with WaterAid’s mission while building skills in innovation, teamwork and problem-solving. It gives teams the unique opportunity to collaborate on real-world challenges faced by the communities where WaterAid works – driving impact while growing together.
In 2019, Hunter Water’s Team Mareiwa took out the top prize in WaterAid’s Winnovators program, earning the title of Global Champions after developing an innovative solution to a real-life water, sanitation and hygiene challenge faced by communities in Colombia.
As part of their win, the team was awarded the opportunity to visit WaterAid’s programs in the field and see their ideas in action. While the trip was originally planned for 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant it had to be postponed.
Finally, this year, the Hunter Water team were able to travel to La Guajira, Colombia, where they witnessed firsthand the transformational impact of clean water and strong community partnerships.
The trip included visits to Indigenous Wayuu communities in the La Sabana, La Gloria, Camerones and Barrancas regions, where they saw firsthand how the solutions inspired by Winnovators have come to life.
The team visited solar-powered water systems including new and refurbished groundwater wells and a wide range of water treatment technologies, such as sand filtration, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, UV disinfection and chlorination. Inclusive hygiene facilities were also showcased in the communities.
“It was incredibly moving to witness the life-changing impact that access to clean water and hygiene facilities has on these communities” said Lauren Randall, Team Leader Water Quality and Source Strategy at Hunter Water.
“Seeing WaterAid’s work in action was humbling and inspiring, we will be forever grateful for this experience. It reinforced how our work as water professionals can make a significant difference to health, education and economic outcomes for communities of all kinds.”
Team Mareiwa observed the on-ground benefits of their holistic Winnovators solution, inspired by the Wayuu deity Mareiwa, goddess of water, creator of life and wisdom.
In particular, the visit emphasised how the social change aspects of their solution, such as community-led water management and education programs that empower local women and youth, are critical for sustainable long-term outcomes in Indigenous communities.
“This visit was a powerful reminder that water, sanitation and hygiene solutions don’t end with infrastructure. It’s about long-term partnerships, cultural understanding and sustainable change,” said Tom Muller, Chief Executive Officer at WaterAid Australia.
“Hunter Water’s commitment to this work goes well beyond the competition. They are true allies in our mission.”
Hunter Water was a founding member of WaterAid Australia when it launched in 2004 and has been a proud supporter over the last two decades, contributing to Winnovators, raising vital funds and bringing creativity, compassion and collaboration to the mission of reaching everyone, everywhere with clean water.
“At Hunter Water, we believe access to safe and reliable water is a basic human right,” said Darren Cleary, Managing Director of Hunter Water.
“This partnership with WaterAid allows our people to contribute their skills and creativity to a global cause, while learning from communities that are finding local solutions to incredibly complex challenges.
“It’s deeply rewarding to see the real-world outcomes of our people’s contributions – from concept to community impact. We’re proud to stand with WaterAid as part of a global effort to build a more reliable water future for all.”
As the global water crisis intensifies with climate change and inequality, WaterAid Australia is proud to stand alongside partners like Hunter Water.
Image: Hunter Water and WaterAid teams work with a local artist to paint this newly constructed toilet block with traditional artwork in the La Gloria region of La Guajira (credit: WaterAid).