Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, Australia marks National Reconciliation Week with reflections on truth-telling and change, while stormwater clean-up efforts in Sydney underscore the scale of urban waste and flood risk.
Across the states, a 5,000-year-old peat swamp will be restored under a restorative justice agreement, Lock Three on the River Murray has been drained for essential upgrades, and Tasmania commits to secure water futures with a modest price increase.
Internationally, a landmark water resilience summit in Poland pushes Europe closer to a unified strategy for managing climate and water stress.
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National
National Reconciliation Week highlights necessary change
To mark National Reconciliation Week, the Australian Water Association and the Water Services Association of Australia are hosting a special webinar at 1pm on 2 June, featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to reflect on how the water sector can support meaningful change.
PFAS phase-out to begin from July 2025
New restrictions on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will take effect from 1 July 2025 under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS). PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS have been added to Schedule 7, meaning industrial use must be phased out unless specifically exempted.
Key obligations include ceasing use, declaring stockpiles, managing them as waste, and avoiding recovery or reuse. Businesses must also comply with IChEMS standards and the General Environmental Duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
States and territories
Sydney Water clears 300,000kg of stormwater waste
Sydney Water has removed more than 300,000 kilograms of debris from ‘The Pit’, a heritage-listed stormwater trap in Sydenham. The effort is part of a week-long operation to reduce flood risk and protect downstream environments.
“This project has seen the equivalent of 4,100 wheelie bins’ worth of silt and debris removed,” said Sydney Water Integrated Stormwater Team Manager Robert Allen.
“Thanks to this emptying work the teams have just completed, we are just above 20% capacity despite the huge deluge that has been battering Sydney this week”.
Rehabilitation for 5,000-year-old swamp
The Wingecarribee Swamp Rehabilitation Project has been approved by the Natural Resources Access Regulator, funded by Illawarra Coal Holdings as part of an enforceable undertaking for taking surface water without a licence.
The program includes vegetation surveys, fencing and weed removal and will be delivered in collaboration with the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“The EU is a great example of restorative justice, as it will deliver direct benefits to the local community and environment where the offence occurred,” the regulator stated.
Lock Three drained for maintenance
SA Water has drained over eight million litres from Lock Three on the River Murray to allow for maintenance on behalf of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Upgrades include replacing water control valves, re-sealing chamber gates and re-concreting the lock floor.
“While the lock chamber continues to operate as normal, we have identified minor refurbishments that will improve how we operate it,” said SA Water Senior Manager of River Murray Operations Garry Fyfe.
“This includes refurbishing and replacing sections of timber and rubber sealing… along with replacing all 12 of the internal control valves”.
TasWater announces modest increase to secure supply
From 1 July 2025, TasWater will raise its prices by 3.5%, equating to around 13 cents a day for the average household. The adjustment is part of the final year of Price and Service Plan 4.
“With operational costs rising and infrastructure continuing to age, future price increases are likely to be higher,” said TasWater General Manager Customer and Community Matt Balfe.
“We need to invest now to secure Tasmania’s water future and avoid passing the burden onto future generations”.
School garden blooms with community support
Newlands Primary School in Preston is upgrading its gardening club with a $1,500 Yarra Valley Water grant, funding a water tank, fruit trees and composting tools.
“Previously, our biggest roadblock has been the lack of effective water saving and usage,” said Teacher and Garden Club Organiser Courtney Perryman, “but now we’re able to purchase a water tank and fit special piping measures".
International
Water Knowledge Europe expands dialogue in Poland
The first Water Knowledge Europe event held outside Brussels has concluded in Warsaw, drawing over 100 participants from across the continent to help shape the future of the European Water Resilience Strategy.
The event underscored an urgent need for more integrated water management and highlighted the importance of ongoing investment in research, innovation and funding models to secure future water health.
Organisers described the summit as a “true milestone” in advancing a water-smart society, with strong engagement driving forward the continent’s collective water goals.
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