Across Australia, utilities and governments are leaning into long-term resilience while keeping a close eye on immediate pressures – from smarter water main maintenance and digital metering rollouts to tighter demand management as dry conditions bite in some regions.
This week also highlights how water security conversations are increasingly intersecting with broader sustainability reform, including a national push to lift materials productivity through circular economy opportunities. On the ground, new investments are supporting everything from recycled water infrastructure upgrades in remote tourism locations to emergency drinking water supply for fire-affected communities.
Internationally, major smart metering deployments and global policy discussions continue to underline the sector’s accelerating focus on efficiency, accountability and nature-positive outcomes
Opportunities in the circular economy
The Productivity Commission has released its final report exploring how Australia could lift materials productivity and reduce waste through circular economy approaches. The inquiry report was publicly released on 16 January 2026, with the report to be tabled in Parliament shortly.
The report highlights benefits including more efficient use of natural capital, reduced environmental and climate harms, and improved social outcomes – while also noting trade-offs in some circular activities, such as increased transport-related emissions.
Learn more here.
Researchers call for rethink of global sustainable development agenda
Australian researchers from Monash University have warned that the next global framework to replace the Sustainable Development Goals risks repeating past mistakes unless it is built on a clearer and more explicit theory of change.
Published in Science, the study argues that the SDGs were underpinned by flawed assumptions about how goal setting would translate into real-world action, particularly in the face of political, financial and institutional barriers.
Associate Professor Shirin Malekpour said: “The Sustainable Development Goals gave the world a shared vision; however, goal setting alone was never going to deliver the scale of change required. The SDGs provided direction, but not the mechanisms needed to overcome political, financial and institutional barriers,” she said.
Enhancing water quality with Ice Pigging innovation
South East Water has introduced Ice Pigging technology to clean large water mains, aiming to improve water quality for customers with minimal disruption.
Delivered with partners Service Stream, Downer and SUEZ, the process uses a saline ice slurry to remove sediment and biofilms that build up in distribution systems.
South East Water General Manager Service Delivery Tim Lloyd said: “Ice Pigging is helping us maintain our network more efficiently, reduce environmental impact and improve customer experience.”
Helping the community a key focus for Shepparton’s Aaron Cuthbert
Goulburn-Murray Water Lead Pricing Analyst Aaron Cuthbert has been selected for the Fairley Leadership Program’s 2026 cohort, a regional initiative supporting community-based leadership across the Goulburn Murray region.
Cuthbert, who joined GMW in March 2022 and also volunteers with the Shepparton Golf Club board, said: “Helping out the community is something I’ve been wanting to do for years,” he said.
Orford and Triabunna to enter stage 1 water restrictions
TasWater will introduce stage 1 water restrictions for Orford and Triabunna from Monday, 2 February, with dry conditions and peak summer demand putting pressure on local supplies.
TasWater Acting Head of Communications and Engagement Liz Hafner said: ‘’With warmer, drier weather and an increased demand due the busy school holiday period, stage 1 restrictions will be implemented to help ensure water levels remain adequate to support the community’s needs.”
Community encouraged to be water conscious as Geelong storages hit 16-year low
Barwon Water says Geelong’s water storages ended 2025 at a 16-year low, with household use increasing by up to 25 per cent over the peak summer period and continued dry conditions affecting catchments.
Storages closed out 2025 at 47.2% combined capacity, with levels sitting at 44.2% on 20 January 2026 – the lowest end-of-year result since 2009 during the Millennium Drought.
Barwon Water Acting Managing Director Mel Stephens said: “Everyone has a role to play in saving water."
Goulburn Valley Water supplies water to fire-affected communities
Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) is providing emergency drinking water relief to communities affected by fires across its service area, with fill points set up in Ruffy, Molesworth and Yarck.
Yarroweyah residents needing access to safe drinking water have been asked to contact GVW directly, with support available even for those not connected to the network.
GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said: “Our staff have worked around the clock to ensure our customers continue to have water and wastewater services during this emergency. In times like this we also want to provide drinking water to people who need our help, including those not on our network.”
New project to grow Aboriginal aquaculture on one of Australia’s largest islands
A new Charles Darwin University-led project aims to strengthen food security and support a blue economy transition on Groote Eylandt through expanded Indigenous aquaculture.
Partnering with Groote Aqua Aboriginal Corporation and the CSIRO through the Industry PhD Program, the project will develop production methods for goldlined rabbitfish (Siganus lineatus), a low trophic herbivorous fish suited to variable water quality and flexible nutritional conditions.
CDU Professor of Tropical Aquaculture Sunil Kadri said: “This is an opportunity for the right person who wants to see integrated, low trophic aquaculture develop, and provide opportunities for Indigenous communities”.
South East Water hits 200,000 digital meter milestone
South East Water has reached 200,000 digital meters installed across Melbourne’s south-east and the Mornington Peninsula, marking the largest rollout of its kind in Australia.
The $272 million, six-year program is replacing analogue meters with smart technology that delivers real-time usage data and leak detection insights, with completion expected by 2029.
South East Water Managing Director Carla Purcell said: “We’re innovating with purpose to help our customers manage their water use, avoid bill shock and protect our precious drinking water for the future.”
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held in Davos
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting took place in Davos, Switzerland from 19–23 January, with a focus on cooperation in a more contested world and approaches to growth, workforce investment, responsible innovation, and prosperity within planetary boundaries.
Monash Associate Professor Foerster said: “Transitioning to nature-positive business models requires clear enforceable policy settings that reward protection and restoration of nature, not ongoing nature loss”.
“For Australia, this means introducing mandatory nature-related financial disclosure standards to support business in identifying and addressing nature-related risks and impacts,” he said.
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