Water security, innovation and community resilience continue to shape the sector this week, with new partnerships, digital tools and infrastructure upgrades highlighting how utilities, businesses and researchers are responding to climate pressure and changing demand.
From First Peoples engagement and recycled water planning to solar pumping in the outback and new international standards for water stewardship, the latest updates show a sector balancing practical delivery with long-term transformation.
North Qld and NT crews respond to ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle impacts
Utilities and council crews are continuing recovery efforts across northern Australia following ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, restoring essential services and carrying out widespread clean-up and repairs.
In Queensland, Cairns Regional Council crews are continuing clean-up and repair works across the region, focusing on keeping public spaces safe and accessible following heavy rain and strong winds. Crews have cleared debris from parks, carparks and footpaths, while drainage systems have been unblocked and damaged infrastructure assessed. Some areas remain closed or under assessment, with temporary fencing and signage in place to protect public safety as works continue.
Meanwhile, Power and Water Corporation crews have restored essential services to around 6,500 people across the Northern Territory, with all major power and water infrastructure reconnected in locations including Adelaide River, Angurugu, Gapuwiyak, Gunyangara, Numbulwar, Milyakburra, Peppimenarti, Umbakumba and Yirrkala.
Crews travelled by air and road to reach impacted communities, working late into the night to reconnect the majority of Adelaide River residents, with remaining properties restored the following day. The Dundee region experienced the most damage, with large trees bringing down power lines.
Power and Water CEO Djuna Pollard said: "This has been a massive logistical effort for our team, with several locations affected across a huge geographical area, from the east of the Territory to the west. We’ve had crews and contractors out all over the Territory, and their efforts to restore services are a vital part of the plan when it comes to evacuated people being able to go home, such as residents in Numbulwar".
Grundfos joins Danish royal delegation to support water security and sustainability
Grundfos has concluded its participation in the Green Buildings track of the official Danish State Visit to Australia, using the visit to reinforce Australian Danish collaboration on sustainability, energy transition and water efficiency.
As part of the visit, the company announced a new partnership with Rural Aid, supported by the Grundfos Foundation, to help protect drought affected farming communities.
Grundfos Australia Country Director and Vice President APAC and China Rick Holland said: "Grundfos has been a proud partner to Australia's water, agriculture and infrastructure sectors for more than four decades, and we are honoured to showcase the strength of Australian-Danish collaboration during this historic State Visit.”
South East Water staff support women returning to work
South East Water employees have donated 26 bags of corporate clothing, shoes and accessories to Dress for Success, supporting women re-entering the workforce.
The Victorian not for profit helps women build confidence and economic independence by providing professional clothing, development tools and support networks. South East Water said the collection gave employees a practical way to contribute to the community.
Dress for Success Fundraising and Events Lead Helen James said: "We’re so grateful to South East Water’s employees for helping us to provide women with workplace-appropriate clothing to support their transition back to work.
"The women we work with at Dress for Success are motivated to re-join the workforce and build meaningful careers, and an appropriate corporate wardrobe can provide a much-needed confidence boost and remove one of the barriers to employment".
Solar pumping solution helps secure water supply in remote Northern Territory
Grundfos has delivered a solar pump solution to Athelle Outback Hideaway, a remote property 200km north of Alice Springs that operates as both a hay farm and award-winning tourism business.
Co-owner Anthony Haigh said: "Solar just made sense for us here in the Northern Territory, especially in summer when there’s plenty of sun and the most demand for water. The SPE pumps give us an extra 20 minutes of pumping in the morning and evening, which means we’re saving money and using less fuel.
"Having that reliable water supply is critical for running both a productive farm and a sustainable tourism business out here in the harsh Outback conditions."
Coliban Water consultation points to support for recycled water
Early feedback on Coliban Water’s 2027 Urban Water Strategy points to growing community support for recycled water as part of the region’s future water security mix.
The utility is midway through consultation on options to secure supply over the next 50 years, against a backdrop of lower rainfall, hotter conditions and declining storage levels. .
Managing Director Damian Wells said: "We’re asking customers to tell us how they use water, what they value, what they believe should be done to ensure our water supply meets future demand, and what trade-offs, if any, they’re prepared to make to balance water security, water bills, environmental impacts, and community values."
Melbourne outlook shows storages down after prolonged dry conditions
Melbourne’s latest Annual Water Outlook quarterly update shows storages were at 69.6% as at 1 March 2026, down 11.2% from March 2025 after prolonged hot, dry conditions, low inflows and high household water use.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said: "We’re working together across Melbourne’s water sector to respond to a drier climate and ensure our water supplies remain secure, and we’re encouraging all Melburnians to protect water supplies too.
"Small, everyday actions at home, like taking four-minute showers and running full wash-loads, can help save thousands of litres every year."
Unitywater grant helps Wildlife Noosa expand rescue capability
Wildlife Noosa is using new drone technology to more quickly and safely locate injured, trapped and at risk wildlife, with support from Unitywater’s Healthy and Thriving Community Grants Program.
Unitywater Chief Executive Officer Anna Jackson said: "Wildlife Noosa is deeply committed to protecting the extraordinary diversity of wildlife that makes this region special and we are pleased to support them extend this work."
Wildlife Noosa Founder and Chief Rescue Officer Will Watson said the new equipment would help boost rescue numbers and keep volunteers safer in the field.
TasWater survey reveals water saving habits and household priorities
TasWater has surveyed Tasmanians on their household water habits, revealing a mix of practical motivations, quirky behaviour and some firmly held preferences.
More than 40% of respondents identified as "shirt sniffers", while 60% said they keep showers under five minutes. Around one third admitted to rinsing plates before loading the dishwasher, and 68% said Tasmanians are not especially good at saving water.
TasWater Head of Communications and Engagement Liz Hafner said: "Most people want to do the right thing, but habits are hard to shift. The good news is you don’t need to go without to save water. Even a shorter shower, skipping pre-rinsing on dishes, or finding a simple reuse habit at home can help protect supply."
Greater Western Water expands support for water smart businesses
Greater Western Water is encouraging more high-water use businesses to join Victoria’s WaterSmart program, which helps organisations track water use and identify savings through digital monitoring and efficiency assessments.
General Manager Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said: "In 2025 Melbourne’s water storages recorded their steepest annual decline since the Millennium Drought. We are experiencing increasingly dry conditions making water efficiency more important than ever.
"The WaterSmart program helps businesses identify where water is being used, when it's being used, and most importantly, where they can use water more effectively."
Cheese whey helps power major Adelaide wastewater treatment plant
Excess cheese whey from three dairy producers is helping generate renewable energy at the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of metropolitan Adelaide’s largest treatment facilities.
Since April 2024, the site has received weekly loads of more than 200,000 litres of cheese whey and milk waste, which are fed into digesters and converted into biogas during the final stages of treatment.
SA Water Senior Manager of Production and Treatment Paul Bendotti said: "Through the advancement of technology, our wastewater treatment plants have transformed into sources of renewable energy, and our Glenelg facility has always been a strong performer."
AWS releases new water stewardship standard
The Alliance for Water Stewardship has announced Version 3.0 of the International Water Stewardship Standard, offering companies an updated framework to manage growing water risks and meet increasing disclosure expectations.
The revised standard was adopted by AWS members in December 2025 with 93 per cent of votes in favour, and is being launched ahead of World Water Day in Tokyo. The new version responds to rising risks from drought, floods, pollution and ecosystem decline, as well as tighter regulatory expectations around environmental reporting.
The standard is intended to support companies across sectors with a practical and trusted approach to water stewardship at a time when water related risk is becoming more visible across supply chains and operations.
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