Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, communities and utilities across Australia got involved in National Water Week with a strong call to Bring Water into Focus. From local art competitions to national policy platforms, water’s value, including economic, environmental, social and cultural, took centre stage.
At the National Press Club, UNSW’s Professor Veena Sahajwalla urged Australians to view waste as a resource for innovation and job creation, while a federal review praised the Coorong’s collaborative climate research model for uniting Traditional Knowledge with science.
Infrastructure upgrades continued, with new pipelines, valves and service expansions supporting growth from South Australia to Melbourne’s southeast. Backflow prevention and shorter showers were top of mind in Victoria, and communities in northern Victoria were invited to shape the future of their irrigation districts.
Internationally, new research highlighted the human-driven decline of groundwater in Arizona, while calls for more inclusive climate scenario planning gained momentum.
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National
Call to rethink waste: turning trash into jobs and innovation
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, UNSW Sydney’s Professor Veena Sahajwalla has called on Australians to embrace waste as a resource rather than a problem.
Her team’s MICROfactory™ technologies are turning all kind of waste materials into new products – all while supporting jobs and reducing landfill.
“True sustainability demands we harness this potential and transform waste into a resource stream for advanced manufacturing,” Professor Sahajwalla said.
National Water Week poster competition brings water into focus
More than 5,000 students took part in this year’s National Water Week Poster Competition across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.
Winning entries reflected strong themes of valuing water, with students awarded art prizes in recognition of their work. Take a look at the winning talent here.
Community-led research earns national praise
A Federal Government review has praised the Goyder Institute’s Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre for its unique approach to climate research. Based in Goolwa, SA, the Centre brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, community input and scientific research to address ecological change in one of Australia’s most significant regions.
“The model that we’re delivering… can be rolled out in other locations, to help provide ‘active hope’ and community purpose to address our future challenges,” said Dr Alec Rolston, Director of the Goyder Institute and CLLMM Research Centre.
States and territories
Coliban Water welcomes four new directors
Timothy Ada, Clare Luehman, Margaret O'Rourke and Genevieve Overell have joined the Coliban Water Board, bringing expertise across climate risk, infrastructure and economic policy.
Board Chair Bob Cameron said the appointments will help guide the utility through population growth, ageing infrastructure and climate pressures.
Planning the future of pumped irrigation
Goulburn-Murray Water is inviting customers in Nyah, Tresco and Woorinen to shape the future of their irrigation districts. Two workshops in November and February will inform a long-term strategy to address changing land use and ageing water infrastructure.
“This is an opportunity to have a real say in the future of the region,” said GMW’s Steven Abbott.
Backflow Hero award for Michael Beirouti
South East Water’s Michael Beirouti has been recognised with the 2025 Backflow Hero Award for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. His work improving water quality systems across Melbourne’s south-east has lifted compliance and industry standards.
“This award recognises Michael as a committed and enthusiastic leader… paving the way for better outcomes within the backflow industry,” said South East Water General Manager Tim Lloyd.
Shorter showers, smaller footprints
With Melbourne’s water storages down more than 17% this year, Yarra Valley Water has launched a campaign encouraging four-minute showers. A Spotify playlist of four-minute songs aims to help users time their water use.
“Showers use more water than anywhere else in the home… Taking a shorter shower also saves energy, money and reduces carbon emissions,” said General Manager Tiffany White.
Supporting growth in Pakenham East
South East Water is progressing a major upgrade to water, recycled water and sewer infrastructure in one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing areas. The 12 km project, delivered with Zinfra, Jaydo and WSP, will support thousands of new homes.
“In a drying climate, expanding our recycled water network across Melbourne is important to securing long-term water supplies,” said General Manager Charlie Littlefair.
Pipeline upgrade boosts regional resilience
SA Water has completed a $5.8 million upgrade to the 132 km Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline, refurbishing 3 legacy valves and installing 4 new ones to support 3,000 homes and businesses across the Lower Murray, Mallee and Upper South East.
“By refurbishing the original valves, we have prioritised sustainability, reducing waste and overall project costs,” said SA Water’s Peter Seltsikas.
International
Tucson’s aquifer decline driven by human pumping
New research from the University of Arizona shows that groundwater pumping over the past 70 years has caused twice the drawdown in Tucson’s aquifer compared to natural fluctuations over the past 20,000 years.
The study is the first to reconstruct a long-term record of groundwater levels in the region.
Call to democratise global climate research
A new study in Nature Climate Change proposes an open, transparent platform to make climate scenario modelling more globally inclusive.
Led by IIASA and Japanese researchers, the initiative aims to ensure scientists from developing countries can contribute directly to policy-shaping climate models.
Prolonged drought harms global grasslands
A global study led by Colorado State University found that extended extreme droughts double the impact on grassland ecosystems compared to single-year events.
The findings highlight how long-term dry periods can severely impair ecosystem recovery, with implications for nearly half the Earth’s land surface.
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