This week in water, leadership changes in the federal environment and water portfolio have sparked industry calls for bold reform, while a landmark First Nations water entitlement purchase marks a turning point for cultural water rights.
Across the country, young women are being supported into engineering careers, critical bridge works are underway, and TasWater continues to champion gender equity. Internationally, new research reveals alarming trends in river antibiotic pollution, the risks of nanoplastics, as well as wastewater’s role in carbon capture.
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Federal reshuffle shifts water leadership, prompts call for reform
A recent ministerial reshuffle sees Murray Watt take over the water and environment portfolio from Tanya Plibersek, who moves to social services. The change is expected to accelerate development approvals.
The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has called on the Prime Minister to ensure water retains a strong voice in Cabinet and to finalise a more ambitious National Water Agreement.
“Extreme events are worsening in impact, water supply security is always under threat and regulatory systems are not keeping pace,” WSAA stated in a letter urging bold national leadership on water.
First purchase under First Nations water entitlement program
In a historic first, the Australian Government has announced the initial purchase under the $100 million Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program: 200 megalitres of general security water in the Macquarie–Wambuul catchment, valued at $880,000.
DCCEEW Director First Nations Engagement, Culture & Strategic Operations Brandon Etto shared the news, calling the moment “a step towards recognising and restoring First Nations’ rights to own and manage water on their terms.”
The program aims to address long-standing water inequities and supports cultural, social, economic and environmental outcomes for First Nations Peoples.
Works underway for Murrumbidgee bridge replacement
Geotechnical investigations have begun at Mundarlo Bridge on the Murrumbidgee River, as part of a major replacement project.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has contracted MLEI Consulting Engineers to carry out drilling and riverbed assessment, which is expected to take around two weeks.
Scholarship opens engineering pathway for regional women
The Kim Jackson Scholarship, a joint initiative of the Skip Foundation and the Australian National University, is helping young women from regional NSW pursue engineering degrees. This year’s recipient, Lily Delves from Griffith, said the opportunity has been life changing.
“I always knew I wanted to work in this area,” Delves said. “Studying both science and engineering has given me the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. You just know that you are surrounded by peers and leaders that want you to succeed.”
The scholarship has increased to $25,000 per annum, with applications for 2026 now open.
Tasmania celebrates gender diversity in operations
TasWater and Hydro Tasmania have joined forces with the National Association of Women in Operations (NAWO) to launch its new Tasmanian chapter.
The event, held at Cascade Brewery with Minister for Women Jo Palmer in attendance, marked a key step in addressing gender imbalance across operational industries.
NAWO CEO Louise Weine highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in attracting and retaining women in leadership roles, with TasWater recognised as a founding supporter of the initiative.
Global rivers contaminated by antibiotics, study warns
A McGill University-led study has found that around 8,500 tonnes of antibiotics from human use are entering the world’s rivers each year. Even when concentrations are low, long-term exposure poses risks to aquatic life and human health by fostering antibiotic resistance.
Lead author Heloisa Ehalt Macedo noted: “Chronic and cumulative environmental exposure to these substances can still pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems.”
Nanoplastics act as 'trojan horses' for heavy metals
New research from the New Jersey Institute of Technology has shown that nanoplastics formed from real-world plastic waste can readily adsorb toxic metals like lead and cadmium, increasing their uptake in organisms.
These particles, which originate from plastic breakdown, have raised fresh concerns about environmental and public health impacts.
Alkaline minerals in wastewater may boost CO₂ storage
A study published in Science Advances suggests that treating wastewater with alkaline minerals before ocean discharge can enhance carbon dioxide removal and reduce ocean acidification.
The method could help sequester up to 18 teragrams of CO₂ annually and turn treatment plants into “alkalinity factories.”
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