Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
Water sector activity this week spans leadership changes, environmental recovery, infrastructure investment and research breakthroughs, highlighting a continued focus on resilience, innovation and long-term sustainability.
From major national appointments and ecological recovery to local water-saving initiatives and global climate insights, developments across the sector reflect both immediate priorities and the broader transition underway.
NATIONAL
Veolia appoints Craig Barker to lead Australia and New Zealand
Veolia has appointed Craig Barker as CEO and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, as the organisation enters the next phase of its Green Up strategy.
Barker, who has more than 17 years’ experience with Veolia, said: “I am humbled to be given this leadership role as our Australian and New Zealand businesses gather momentum.
“With the region’s circular economy accelerating, it will create new opportunities for Veolia to serve our Australian and New Zealand customers and those visionary businesses poised to play a key role in the future,” he said.
STATE AND TERRITORY
Recycled water pipeline boosts water security in Frankston
A new recycled water pipeline is now supplying Frankston City, delivering around 98 megalitres of Class A recycled water annually to support sporting grounds and community facilities.
South East Water Managing Director Carla Purcell said: “We’re delivering for our customers by providing a secure, sustainable recycled water source for local sporting clubs, keeping community spaces greener, thriving and more liveable.”
“Using recycled water, in more places, contributes to more sustainable outcomes for our community.”
Environmental water supports frog recovery across the Murray–Darling Basin
Commonwealth environmental water is supporting the recovery of frog populations across the Murray–Darling Basin, with nearly 2,000 GL delivered since 2014 to maintain wetland conditions and support breeding.
Recent monitoring in the lower Murrumbidgee has recorded 1,244 tadpoles at Murrundi Swamp, including 216 southern bell frog tadpoles, a species listed as Vulnerable.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Dr Simon Banks said: “The results of our monitoring demonstrate the benefit of Commonwealth environmental water in supporting recovery of nationally threatened species like the southern bell frog.”
UNSW breakthrough improves hydrogen fuel cell efficiency
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new hydrogen fuel cell design that tackles a key inefficiency caused by water build-up inside the system, improving performance without adding cost or complexity.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce water as a byproduct, but some of this water can become trapped within the cell, blocking oxygen flow and reducing efficiency. The UNSW team’s design instead allows excess water and gas to escape more easily, preventing build-up and maintaining consistent performance.
Dr Quentin Meyer said: “Hydrogen fuel cells generate clean electricity with water as the only byproduct. Our design can make hydrogen fuel cells much more efficient with only minor structural changes."
CDU research uses art to capture climate impacts
A Charles Darwin University research project is combining art and science to better communicate the lived experience of climate change in First Peoples communities.
Research Fellow Sharna Motlap said: “Historically, cultural and communication gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have created significant barriers to improving health and social outcomes.”
“This research adopts a holistic view of climate change, focusing not just on the numeric data we usually see, but on how climate change is also lived and experienced.”
Smart monitoring cuts water use at Yarra Trams depot
Yarra Trams has reduced water use at its New Preston Depot by almost 70%, saving 6.6 million litres annually through participation in the WaterSmart program.
Environment Manager Renée Karlson said: “The data logger at New Preston helped us reduce water used by our tram wash by almost 70% – helping us deliver on our commitment to sustainability and reduce our environmental impact.”
Yarra Valley Water General Manager Retail Services Lisa Anelli said: “Melbourne’s water storages have now dropped below 68%, due to prolonged hot, dry conditions, so it’s crucial we take every step we can to conserve water.”
Research calls for Aboriginal agency in academic publishing
New research led by Flinders University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science is calling for a fundamental shift in how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges are represented in academic publishing.
The study argues that while Indigenous Knowledges underpin significant research across areas such as environmental management and climate adaptation, current publishing practices often fail to recognise Traditional Owners as active partners, limiting their authority and control over how knowledge is used and shared.
Lead author Christine Barry said: “Indigenous Knowledges are not historical artefacts, they are living, evolving systems of knowing that are actively shaping contemporary science, but the way research is published often obscures that reality.”
Goulburn-Murray Water appoints new Managing Director
Goulburn-Murray Water has appointed Steve Capewell as its next Managing Director, bringing extensive leadership experience across the water sector.
Chair Justin Hanney said: “Following a rigorous search process, the Board is confident that Steve is exceptionally well placed to lead Goulburn-Murray Water into its next chapter.”
“Steve brings a strong understanding of the complexities of the water sector, a clear focus on outcomes, and a genuine appreciation of the vital role our people play in delivering services that support regional communities, agriculture and the environment,” he said.
Bendigo water infrastructure upgrade to improve efficiency
A $160 million infrastructure project will modernise water delivery systems around Bendigo and surrounding townships, reducing losses and improving long-term water security.
The Coliban Rural Water Efficiency Project will upgrade ageing infrastructure, with the current network losing up to 79 per cent of water through leaks and seepage. The project is expected to recover significant volumes of water, contributing almost 4.6 GL towards the Basin Plan’s 450 GL target, while improving reliability for around 1,300 rural customers.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said: “We’ve said from the start that we will use all the tools at our disposal to deliver the Basin Plan in a way that balances the needs of our communities and our environment.”
“Improving our infrastructure means delivering water savings now and many generations down the line.”
INTERNATIONAL
Study warns of rising compound heat and drought risks
New research suggests that under current climate policies, exposure to simultaneous extreme heat and drought could increase more than fivefold by the end of the century.
Lead author Di Cai said: “Heat and drought amplify each other.”
“In compound hot-dry extremes, they lead to water restrictions and unstable food prices. For outdoor workers, it is dangerous,” he said.
Compendium highlights water body restoration across India
A new publication from the Centre for Science and Environment documents successful efforts to restore lakes and ponds across India, improving water availability, biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The compendium draws on surveys of more than 250 water bodies and highlights practical approaches that have delivered measurable outcomes across diverse regions.
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