Week in water: updates from across the community

This week’s water sector activity focused on water reform, workforce development, water security and infrastructure investment, with governments, utilities and industry organisations advancing initiatives to support growing communities, strengthen resilience and improve service delivery.

From new national water reform consultations and major budget commitments to recycled water innovations, drinking water safety initiatives and international research breakthroughs, the latest developments highlight the sector’s continued focus on sustainability, affordability and future planning.

NATIONAL

Productivity Commission seeks feedback on water reform
The Productivity Commission has released the first of two interim updates as part of its National Water Reform 2026 inquiry, examining policy and regulatory changes that could improve the security, resilience and sustainability of water services across Australia.

Submissions on the update are open until 10 July 2026. A second interim update, including the Commission’s preliminary assessment of jurisdictions’ progress against the 2004 National Water Initiative, will be released for consultation in July.

AWA is hosting two member forums to gather feedback and insights for its response to the National Water Reform 2026. Find out more here: National Water Reform 2026 Forums 

New report highlights untapped engineering workforce
Engineers Australia and WSP have released a new report showing Australia could have 13,000 more women working in engineering roles if female engineers were employed at the same rate as men.

The report found female participation declines significantly during mid-career stages, despite growing demand for engineering skills across sectors including water, infrastructure and energy.

WSP President and Managing Director Greg Kane said improving retention was both an equity and workforce issue: “Addressing this issue is not only a matter of equity. It is also a matter of economic and industry performance".

“Better utilisation of the existing workforce represents a clear opportunity to strengthen productivity, improve project outcomes, and unlock greater value from investment across infrastructure, energy, water and resources," he said. 

STATE AND TERRITORY

South East Water strengthens drinking water protection
South East Water has introduced new mobile chlorine dosing trailers designed to respond quickly to changing network conditions and maintain drinking water quality.

The units can be deployed rapidly to adjust chlorine levels across the network and feature remote monitoring capabilities that reduce the need for on-site visits.

South East Water Group Manager Water Services Declan McCreesh said the trailers would support reliable service delivery as the network continued to grow.

“These trailers will help us maintain high-quality drinking water as our network grows,” McCreesh said.

Victoria’s first recycled water connection for a data centre
Greater Western Water’s Melton Recycled Water Plant is expected to become the first facility in Victoria to supply recycled water directly to a data centre.

The plant will provide recycled water to a new Amazon Web Services facility in western Melbourne, helping reduce demand on drinking water supplies while supporting the company’s water stewardship commitments.

Greater Western Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said the project demonstrated how recycled water could support future industrial growth: “We’re thrilled to announce, alongside AWS, that the Melton Recycled Water Plant (RWP) is expected be the first in Victoria to supply a data centre with recycled water".

Gippsland Water introduces mobile disinfection system
Gippsland Water has launched a new trailer-mounted disinfection unit designed to improve drinking water safety and operational efficiency across its network.

The portable system can be moved between sites to disinfect new and upgraded infrastructure more quickly, helping reduce downtime and strengthen emergency response capability.

General Manager Operations Chris Wood said the system would support faster service restoration following maintenance and upgrade works.

Queensland Budget invests in water security and affordability
The Queensland Government has announced major investments in water infrastructure and customer relief measures as part of its 2026-27 Budget.

Funding includes capacity-restoring dam upgrades, new weirs, continued planning for Paradise Dam and support for regional water security projects. The Budget also includes a two-year freeze on bulk water prices for South East Queensland residents and subsidies for water costs in the Cloncurry and Gladstone regions.

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the investments would strengthen long-term water security across the state.

“Progressing Paradise Dam and key projects across the State will help secure reliable water supply for communities, industry and primary producers well into the future,” Leahy said.

TasWater joins global network of leading utilities
TasWater has been welcomed into Leading Utilities of the World, an invitation-only global network recognising high-performing water and wastewater utilities.

The organisation becomes the newest member of the network, which includes 86 utilities serving more than 300 million customers across 30 countries.

TasWater CEO George Theo said the recognition reflected the organisation’s progress over the past decade.

“To be recognised alongside some of the world's most respected water utilities is a strong endorsement of the progress we have made as an organisation over the last decade,” Theo said.

Urban Utilities confirms FY27 pricing
Urban Utilities has confirmed a 3.7 per cent increase in typical household water and sewerage bills from 1 July, while welcoming the Queensland Government’s decision to freeze the State Bulk Water Charge for two years.

The utility will invest approximately $422 million in water and wastewater infrastructure during FY27 to support population growth, improve network resilience and maintain service reliability across South East Queensland.

Chief Executive Officer Paul Arnold said continued investment was essential to meet future demand.

“Our ageing network requires significant investment to meet the demands of population growth and a changing climate".

South East Water launches customer pricing tool
South East Water is inviting customers to help shape its Price Submission 2028 through a new online bill estimator tool. The interactive platform allows customers to explore future service options and understand how different investment priorities could affect water, sewerage and recycled water bills between 2028 and 2033.

South East Water General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Karen Lau said customer input would play an important role in balancing future investment decisions.: “Our customers’ views will help us get that balance right”.

INTERNATIONAL

Researchers develop self-powered water purification capsule
Researchers in South Korea have developed a self-powered water purification capsule capable of testing and disinfecting water without an external power source.

The floating device, described in Nature Water, generates electricity through a simple shaking motion, allowing it to measure water quality and transmit data directly to a smartphone or smartwatch.

Designed for use in remote locations and emergency situations, the technology could provide a low-cost option for improving access to safe drinking water where conventional treatment systems are unavailable.

Want water sector insights delivered weekly? Subscribe to Source, the Australian Water Association’s newsletter.