Week in water: updates from across the community

This week's water sector activity focused on organisational planning, community outcomes, infrastructure renewal and workforce development, with governments and utilities taking steps to strengthen services, resilience and public engagement.

From a national review of the Bureau of Meteorology and new Closing the Gap data to drinking water safeguards and major supply upgrades, the latest developments reflect the sector's broad community role.

NATIONAL

Independent review underway at Bureau of Meteorology
An independent review of the Bureau of Meteorology has been commissioned to inform the organisation's next strategy and ensure it continues delivering value to Australians in a rapidly changing environment.

Led by former Murray Darling Basin Authority Chief Executive Phillip Glyde, with support from Sean Sullivan and Raj Nahna, the review will consider the bureau's services, communications, stakeholder responsiveness, partnerships and emerging challenges. The panel is expected to report by 31 March 2027.

Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said: "The work BOM staff do every day is complex and they face a range of pressures, so this review will bring an independent perspective to understanding the services being delivered and how that value can be strengthened into the future."

Bureau of Meteorology Chief Executive Officer and Director of Meteorology Dr Stuart Minchin said: "This review will help the Bureau of Meteorology better understand current and future customer needs and ensure our strategy and services are squarely focussed on the things that are important to the Australian community, our customers and partners."

Closing the Gap report shows limited progress
The Productivity Commission's 2026 Annual Data Compilation Report shows that one of the 19 targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap has been met and three are on track to be met.

The report incorporates new data for nine socio-economic targets and 34 supporting indicators, while reporting 12 more for the first time. With most targets due by 2031, governments will need to intensify efforts across the agreement's four priority reforms.

For the first time, the report includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-governed data. It also identifies continuing data gaps, including limited access to regional and local outcomes data needed to support informed community decision-making.

STATE AND TERRITORY

Irrigators encouraged to prepare for new season
Goulburn-Murray Water is encouraging farmers and other water users to check their infrastructure and understand their entitlements ahead of the 2026/27 irrigation season, which begins on 15 August.

General Manager Water Delivery Services Warren Blyth said: "Before the season starts, we encourage customers to take the time to understand how much water they are entitled to use."

Customers can place orders from 10 August and are encouraged to order early, while also checking pumps, pipelines and other on-farm infrastructure for debris or blockages.

Dunolly pipeline renewal improves reliability
Coliban Water has completed the renewal of an 1800-metre section of drinking water pipeline supplying Dunolly, improving reliability for residents and reducing the risk of bursts.

The original concrete pipeline, laid in the 1950s through dense bushland and difficult terrain, has been replaced with flexible polyethylene pipe that is more resilient to ground movement. The works form part of Coliban Water's $100 million Water and Sewer Upgrade Program.

Chief Officer Assets and Operations Danny McLean said: "When it bursts, we often cart water to the clear water storage tank in Dunolly, to ensure customers still have drinking water."

New safeguard strengthens Maffra drinking water supply
Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at the Maffra water treatment plant to help protect drinking water supplied to Maffra, Stratford and Boisdale from water quality impacts linked to agricultural activity, storms and bushfires.

Managing Director Sarah Cumming said: "Early identification of river water quality gives us the ability to manage the treatment process and ensure supply and quality is maintained."

The system continuously monitors water during filtration and diverts water that does not meet quality standards to a dedicated lagoon until acceptable quality is restored.

Altona plant tours reveal unique history
Around 140 people toured Greater Western Water's Altona Recycled Water Plant during Open House Melbourne, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at wastewater treatment and the site's A Forest for Australia land artwork.

Visitors included sisters Janine and Gail Franzi, whose father helped establish and operate the plant and whose family lived onsite in the late 1960s.

General Manager Service Delivery Jodie Hallam said: "Visitors enjoyed seeing each wastewater treatment stage, as well as expert-led talks on how wastewater treatment had evolved over time."

Water Corporation celebrates 100th Splash of Colour artwork
A mural at a wastewater pump station in Dalyellup has become the 100th artwork delivered through Water Corporation's Splash of Colour program, which transforms essential infrastructure into creative community assets.

Titled Reservoir, the mural was created by Gelorup artist Andrew Frazer with input from Year 7 and 8 students at Dalyellup College. Its design draws on reeds and reflected light at Dalyellup Lakes.

Customer and Community General Manager Karen Willis said: "It's a fitting milestone for the 100th installation under our Splash of Colour program, providing a striking welcome to Dalyellup for locals and visitors."

Power and Water opens early career opportunities
Applications are open for Power and Water's 2027 apprenticeship and trainee program, with 11 opportunities available across Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

Delivered with GTNT Group, the program combines paid workplace learning with nationally recognised qualifications and support from mentors and supervisors. Power and Water currently supports 72 early career employees across the Territory.

Executive General Manager Power Services Belinda Small said: "Our people are proof of what's possible when talent is matched with opportunity, mentoring and the willingness to keep learning."

Applications close on 31 August 2026.

Mount Gambier prepares for temporary supply switch
Mount Gambier's water supply will temporarily switch from the Blue Lake/Warwar to local groundwater bores from 24 August as SA Water continues a $2.5 million upgrade of the lake's pump station.

The three-week switch will allow control and electrical systems to be upgraded, including the replacement of equipment reaching the end of its operating life. No supply interruptions are expected as the city moves between sources.

Manager of Regional Water Security Simon Sherriff said: "These components work together to power the pump station, making this project critical to maintaining ongoing reliability of water supply from the Blue Lake/Warwar for Mount Gambier."

Maroondah Reservoir upgrade enters new stage
Melbourne Water has launched the third stage of a five-stage upgrade designed to increase the amount of water delivered from Maroondah Reservoir to Greater Melbourne by 20 per cent.

The project will deliver a new outlet tower and about four kilometres of underground pipeline, with construction scheduled between mid-2029 and mid-2032, subject to approvals and detailed design. The heritage-listed existing outlet tower will be decommissioned and preserved.

Executive General Manager of Service Asset & Lifecycle Matthew Daley said: "This upgrade is about making sure Melburnians can rely on safe, high-quality water. We're taking action now to keep this critical water infrastructure reliable and resilient for the future."

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