Week in water: updates from across the community

This week's water sector activity focused on infrastructure investment, workforce development, environmental restoration and water security, with utilities, governments and industry advancing projects to strengthen resilience, expand capability and support growing communities.

From major infrastructure acquisitions and regional pipeline upgrades to nature-based flood mitigation, community partnerships and innovative international research, the latest developments highlight the sector's continued focus on delivering sustainable, reliable and future-ready water services.

NATIONAL

Osmoflo announces intention to acquire Guidera O'Connor
Osmoflo has entered into an agreement to acquire Australian water and wastewater infrastructure delivery business Guidera O'Connor, bringing together two complementary organisations to strengthen capability across the water and wastewater asset lifecycle.

Osmoflo CEO and Managing Director Carmine Ciccocioppo said: "As customers face increasingly complex water and wastewater infrastructure challenges, the addition of Guidera O'Connor strengthens Osmoflo's ability to provide greater capability, turn-key solutions, and confidence from project delivery through to long-term asset performance," he said.

Guidera O'Connor Founder and Director Tony Guidera said: "I am excited by the opportunities this acquisition brings for Guidera O'Connor and our team. Kanadevia's financial backing, combined with Osmoflo's specialised technical expertise and operations experience, will allow us to target a wider range of complex projects across a more diversified customer base."

STATE AND TERRITORY

Gippsland Water begins work to strengthen Traralgon supply
Construction will soon begin on Gippsland Water's $10.5 million Traralgon Western Distribution Main project, which will provide a second connection between the Traralgon Water Treatment Plant and the Clarkes Road storage basins.

Managing Director Sarah Cumming said the project would improve reliability while supporting future growth.

"The additional water main will be the second connection to the Clarkes Road basins, strengthening the network's reliability. This will help us meet the demands of the growing population and improve water pressure for customers during peak periods," she said.

Funding supports creek naturalisation in Newcastle
Hunter Water will deliver a major upgrade to Ironbark Creek in Wallsend, transforming a section of concrete stormwater channel into a naturalised waterway that will improve water quality, reduce flood risk and create habitat for native plants and animals.

Supported by $10 million through the Australian Government's Local Environmental Projects Program, the project forms part of a broader $62 million initiative to restore waterways using nature-based solutions that strengthen resilience during severe weather while improving environmental outcomes.

Unitywater upgrades network valves
Unitywater is investing $1.8 million to upgrade air and scour valves across its water supply network, with works underway at 71 sites across Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast to help reduce pipe damage and improve network reliability.

Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said the valves played a critical role in protecting water infrastructure.

"Our proactive approach to investing in network renewal and maintenance like this helps ensure safe, clean drinking water continues to flow from our water reservoirs to the taps of homes and businesses in Unitywater's service region," she said.

Unitywater reappoints board directors
Unitywater Directors Megan Corfield and Sarah Zeljko have been reappointed to the utility's Board following unanimous endorsement by its shareholding councils.

Chair Michael Arnett said the pair had provided experienced leadership that supported the organisation's strong performance.

"Megan and Sarah's reappointment reflect the trust our shareholding councils place in steady, experienced leadership and I am confident that continuity will serve us well as Unitywater continues to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to customers across one of Australia's fastest-growing regions," he said.

SA Water backs community environmental projects
SA Water has announced the recipients of its 2026-27 Community Partnerships Program, awarding grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 to ten not-for-profit organisations delivering projects focused on water, sustainability and environmental stewardship across South Australia.

Manager Brand and Community Connection Kellie McDonald said: "Receiving 120 applications demonstrates the incredible commitment of community organisations right across the state to making a positive difference".

"This year's recipients represent communities from Port Augusta to the South East and the Riverland to the Eyre Peninsula, highlighting how local ideas can deliver lasting environmental, educational and wellbeing benefits."

WA pipeline contracts awarded
The Western Australian Government has awarded major contracts for Stage 1 of the $543 million Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme upgrade, supporting more than 230 jobs while replacing 44.5 kilometres of ageing pipeline.

The works, delivered by Water Corporation, will increase scheme capacity by 10%, improve reliability and inject more than $170 million into the Western Australian economy.

Water Minister Don Punch said: "This investment will increase the scheme's capacity and reliability to support future growth across the Goldfields and Wheatbelt, while delivering jobs and opportunities for local businesses."

Melbourne Water seeks feedback on flood maps
Melbourne Water has released draft stormwater flood maps for Brimbank and Hobsons Bay, inviting residents to explore their property's potential flood risk and provide feedback as part of the Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program.

Developed using modern flood modelling techniques, the maps combine regional and local stormwater drainage information for the first time and will help improve community understanding of flood risk.

Executive General Manager Service Futures Chris Brace said: "We encourage every resident and property owner in Brimbank and Hobsons Bay to check their address".

"For most people, the draft maps will confirm they are not at flood risk, or that their risk is lower than they might have expected. For those who are affected, we want to make sure they have clear and practical information about what that means for their property."

INTERNATIONAL

University launches global search for nature-positive researchers
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has launched an international search for ten fully funded PhD researchers as part of New Zealand's first Nature Positive Hub.

The research program will examine how governments, businesses and communities can redesign systems to restore biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems and support long-term social and economic wellbeing.

Supervisor Dr Billie Lythberg said: "The environmental challenges we face are systems challenges. Understanding why and how some nature-positive initiatives thrive requires us to look beyond individual projects to the relationships, governance, and practices that sustain them over time.

"This research will help identify transformational and relational approaches to regeneration that can support resilient communities and flourishing ecosystems in Aotearoa and beyond."

Smart coating could improve tritium removal
Researchers in China have developed a smart coating that could improve the efficiency of removing tritium from nuclear power plant wastewater.

Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research describes a metal-organic framework coating that significantly increases the surface area of conventional distillation packing materials while improving hydrogen exchange, potentially making tritium separation more efficient and reducing the energy demands of current treatment processes.

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