This week in water, new leadership appointments strengthen Victoria’s water capability, utilities respond to fire impacts and escalating summer demand, and major infrastructure upgrades boost drinking water quality and system reliability.
Across Tasmania, record irrigation deliveries underscore the value of high surety supply during one of the driest starts to a year on record. Around the country, water corporations are supporting communities through emergency agistment, grants programs and long-term recycled water planning to build resilience and sustainability.
At the same time investment continues in storage upgrades, integrated wetland systems and community water literacy initiatives, reinforcing the sector’s focus on reliability, environmental outcomes and customer trust.
Internationally, new safety guidance for membrane facilities and emerging research into extreme rainfall impacts on coastal systems highlight the growing complexity of managing water infrastructure in a changing climate.
Arup appoints Peter Brunt as Victorian water lead
Arup has appointed Peter Brunt as Victorian Water Business Leader, strengthening the firm’s water capability in Victoria.
“Peter brings deep sector knowledge, proven leadership and strong client advocacy to Arup’s Victorian water business. His appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting Victoria’s water authorities as they navigate growth, resilience, and long-term water security priorities,” said Steve Adamthwaite, ANZ Water Leader, Arup
Brunt brings nearly 20 years’ experience across consulting and utilities and has previously held senior roles with Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, Barwon Water, TasWater, Wannon Water and South Gippsland Water.
Floating cover upgrade complete at Frankston South water storage
South East Water has completed a floating cover upgrade at its Rosedale Grove basin in Frankston South to improve water quality and reliability.
Managing Director Carla Purcell said: “We know getting the basics right is important to our customers. Maintaining critical storage infrastructure is essential, and these upgrades help us keep delivering safe, high-quality drinking water every day.”
State Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke MP said: “Supporting our growing local community with investment that matches its size is crucial to ensuring a safe and reliable water supply.”
Goulburn Valley Water provides agistment for fire-impacted farmers
Goulburn Valley Water has opened its southern irrigation farms to livestock owners affected by the Longwood fires, agisting 300 cattle from five fire-impacted farms at no cost.
Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said: “We’re offering this agistment completely free of charge. Right now our focus is simply helping our community recover and doing what we can with the land and resources we have.
“We knew we had both the capacity and the responsibility to offer support. Our southern farms had feed available, and making them accessible for agistment was the most practical way we could help."
Hunter Water launches 2026 grants program
Hunter Water has launched its 2026 Love Water Grants Program, offering $125,000 to support community-led water efficiency and sustainability projects across the Lower Hunter.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said: “The Love Water Grants Program supports local solutions that save water, strengthen communities and help protect our environment for future generations."
Hunter Water Acting CEO Jennifer Hayes said: “These grants are about backing people, businesses and community groups across the Lower Hunter who care about their communities and the vital role water plays in their environment.”
Taswater investigates vandalism at key infrastructure sites
TasWater is investigating acts of vandalism at the Rocherlea reservoirs in Launceston and the Bell Bay Water Treatment Plant.
General Manager Operations Brendan Windmeyer said: “We want to remind the community that these sites critical infrastructure and damaging them can have serious consequences including impacts to greater Launceston’s drinking water supply."
“While these incidents have not affected our ability to provide essential services to the community, vandalism of critical operational depots is disappointing and puts unnecessary strain on our teams,” he said.
“We are working closely with police and assessing the damage to ensure the site is secure.”
Record irrigation water delivery for Tasmania
Tasmanian Irrigation delivered a record 24,349 megalitres of irrigation water in January 2026.
Chief Executive Officer Mike Sylvester said: “It’s been an exceptionally dry, hot and windy start to 2026, and we know the financial consequences if farmers cannot access reliable water, and crops fail."
“Access to the high surety water provided by Tasmanian Irrigation is essential to minimise farm business risk and future proof against climate variation. When farms thrive, communities thrive too.”
Unitywater-on-wheels fills 70,000 bottles at local events
Unitywater’s Drink Tap van has filled the equivalent of 70,000 reusable bottles at 47 community events over the past 12 months.
Executive Manager Strategic Engagement Joshua Zugajev said: “It’s been fantastic to see the community welcoming our drink tap van to so many local events, where they can fill up for free and avoid purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water."
“By making water more readily available in the community we are supporting people to use their reusable water bottles every day to help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles that often end up in landfill or our natural environment and waterways."
Integrated wetland system planned at Corinella
Westernport Water is planning a $6.46 million integrated treated wastewater wetland system at its King Road Wastewater Treatment Plant in Corinella.
Managing Director Dona Tantirimudalige said: “The King Road Recycled Water Wetlands Storage project will increase recycled water availability, provide additional storage capacity, enhance wetland habitat, and contribute to emissions reduction through increased carbon absorption.”
“Our dedicated project team is working hard to deliver essential wastewater infrastructure that will benefit the community, industry and the environment.”
AMTA releases guideline for membrane system safety and reliability
The American Membrane Technology Association has released its Guideline for Membrane System Safety and Reliability (G-002), introduced at the Membrane Technology Conference in Myrtle Beach.
The comprehensive document provides industry guidance to reduce safety risks, improve operational resilience and support the long-term reliability of membrane separation and desalination facilities.
Extreme rainfall reshaping coastal waters in South Korea
Research published in Frontiers in Marine Science has found extreme rainfall is flushing nutrients into coastal waters along South Korea’s shoreline, fuelling algal blooms and altering estuarine chemistry.
Researchers analysing six years of data from the Nakdong River Estuary near Busan found heavy rainfall significantly shifted salinity, acidity and nutrient levels, with implications for marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
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