This week in water, environmental law reform progresses, restrictions tighten in dry regions, and utilities invest in storage, resilience and long-term infrastructure to support growth and environmental outcomes.
Across Australia, research highlights emerging risks from nanoplastics to seabird ecology, while regulators reinforce environmental accountability.
From housing enabling sewer upgrades to new pipeline connections in Western Australia, the sector continues to strengthen water security in the face of climate change.
Next tranche of new national environment laws delivered
The next tranche of the Federal Government’s national environment law reforms has come into effect, aimed at delivering stronger protections and faster assessments and approvals.
The changes amend the 25-year-old Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and implement recommendations from Professor Graeme Samuel’s independent review.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said: “Through this next tranche of changes, we are delivering faster, clearer processes to proponents and communities as quickly as possible”.
“This tranche of reforms is just the beginning, allowing us to ‘switch on’ elements that are ready while continuing to build the larger reform system. It will also pave the way for the establishment of Australia’s first National Environmental Protection Agency and head of Environment Information Australia on 1 July 2026.”
Plasma filter helps locate invisible nanoplastics in water
Flinders University researchers are developing a novel filtration system to detect and potentially filter nanoplastics from water.
The study outlines a method using plasma polymer coated filters to isolate the tiny particles. First author Manpreet Kaur said there is currently no standard method for detecting nanoplastics in drinking water.
“While effective filter materials and methods have been developed for microplastic isolation larger particles up to 5mm in size, accessible and cheap to implement solutions often fall short in successfully capturing the smaller size fractions,” she said.
“However, our work with plasma polymer coated filters shows we can capture and quantify nanoplastics in various water samples, enabling precise insights into levels of contaminants.”
Water restrictions escalate amid ongoing low rainfall in parts of Tasmania
Stage 2 water restrictions will come into effect for Orford and Triabunna from 27 February as ongoing dry conditions continue to reduce water levels at Prosser Dam.
TasWater Head of Communications and Engagement Liz Hafner said declining dam levels had made escalation necessary: “Stage 1 restrictions have been in place at Orford and Triabunna since 2 February, but continued declining levels at Prosser Dam, and well below average rainfall this year have contributed to the need for escalation.”
Stage 1 water restrictions are also now in effect for Scamander and Lady Barron as dry conditions and peak summer demand continue to put pressure on supplies.
Clarence Colliery ordered to pay $815,000 following Wollangambe River pollution
Clarence Colliery Pty Ltd has been ordered to pay $815,000 in fines and penalties after being convicted of five environmental offences linked to untreated mine water discharges into the Wollangambe River.
NSW EPA CEO Tony Chappel said the penalty should serve as a warning. “This is a substantial penalty, and it should serve as a warning that pollution comes at a cost not only to the environment and communities, but to licence holders who break the law”.
“When licence holders cut corners or fall short of their responsibilities, we will take strong enforcement action. This prosecution is a clear example of that,” he said.
Backup power boost to support communities during extreme weather
Gippsland Water has invested $6.8 million in 25 new generators to reduce service interruptions during emergencies.
Managing Director Sarah Cumming said extreme weather events had highlighted the need for greater resilience.
"In recent years we’ve seen more extreme weather events in our service area than ever before. These new generators provide a backup for those sorts of scenarios and ultimately reduce the likelihood of services being affected,” she said.
Early insight data could help NT flood evacuees bounce back
Charles Darwin University’s Northern Hub and the University of Canberra will host workshops to co-design a data dashboard to support community resilience following natural disasters.
Northern Hub Knowledge Broker David Gallacher said early insights are key to understanding recovery: “When people return to Daly River, will they have the finances and social connections to bounce back?”
“Having a data dashboard designed to collect early insights from the Daly River community would show sometime in the next year if the community as a whole is coping,” Gallacher said.
Cleaner Kanamaluka Tamar estuary relies on sustained infrastructure investment
TasWater has reinforced the importance of sustained investment in sewage treatment and network upgrades in greater Launceston to improve environmental outcomes along the Kanamaluka Tamar estuary.
“Modernising treatment plants and sewer networks is about protecting our waterways, improving water quality, and safeguarding ecosystems. These outcomes don’t happen without sustained, long-term investment,” Theo said.
“Protecting our environment is a fundamental responsibility, not a nice to have.”
Major storage upgrade milestones reached in Adelaide’s north
Construction milestones have been reached on two new 10 megalitre water storage tanks at Sandy Creek as part of SA Water’s investment in Adelaide’s northern growth areas.
SA Water General Manager of Growth Amanda Lewry said the tanks will collectively store 20 million litres of drinking water.
“This extra storage capacity within our network will ensure reliable water services to more than 62,000 existing customers while enabling growth in new and expanding greenfield developments in areas like Gawler East and Roseworthy,” she said.
$10 million project to bolster water supply security in Guilderton
Construction is set to begin on a 7.4 kilometre pipeline linking Sovereign Hill to Guilderton in the Shire of Gingin as part of an initiative to safeguard local drinking water supplies from climate change.
Delivered by Water Corporation and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund, the $10 million project will supplement Guilderton’s supply with a more sustainable groundwater source near Sovereign Hill and reduce reliance on shallow coastal aquifers.
Western Australian Water Minister Don Punch said: "This project is a major step forward in strengthening the quality and reliability of drinking water for the Guilderton community.”
"By drawing on deeper inland groundwater through the new pipeline, Water Corporation will be able to run the scheme with far greater flexibility, helping ensure the town has a secure, year-round supply,” he said.
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