This week in water, the world’s top court has handed down a landmark climate ruling that puts major carbon polluters on notice, with Australia in the spotlight. The decision reinforces the legal obligation to reduce emissions and underscores the growing influence of youth and community-led climate justice movements.
At home, utilities and governments are sharpening their focus on smarter, more sustainable water management. From incentivising conservation through bill reforms and lifting regional water restrictions, to awarding contracts for recycled water infrastructure and strengthening Australia’s role in the global plastics treaty, the pace of action is picking up.
Meanwhile, new international research is sounding the alarm on escalating environmental risks – from dramatic freshwater losses and plateauing wetland carbon sinks to the ongoing impact of microplastic pollution across land and sea.
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ICJ climate ruling holds nations to account
The International Court of Justice has declared that nation states have binding legal obligations to slash emissions under international law. The ruling follows a global youth-led campaign and has been described as a legal turning point for climate justice.
Generation Justice spokesperson Maya Farmer, one of nine Australians who submitted a formal UN complaint about Australia’s inaction, said: “This is a huge moment for young people who bear the burden of the climate crisis – the world’s highest court has confirmed countries must cut emissions or face the consequences.”
First Nations water report tabled in Parliament
The Murray–Darling Basin First Nations Water Report 2023–24 has been tabled in Parliament – the first annual report delivered under the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023.
The report outlines actions to improve Aboriginal access, ownership and participation in water management across the Basin. It is presented in two parts: engagement activities led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s reporting on how environmental water holders consider Aboriginal values and uses.
New CEO announced for John Holland
John Holland has appointed Nick Miller as Chief Executive Officer, with the civil engineer and seasoned infrastructure leader set to begin in mid-October.
Acting CEO Glenn Palin said: “Nick is a Civil Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience and is one of the industry’s most experienced CEOs with strong commercial and leadership capabilities, so he’s extremely well placed to lead John Holland through the delivery of more than $21 billion work in hand".
New platform helps decarbonise supply chains
Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo™ Hub, a new digital platform designed to help organisations decarbonise their supply chains and meet Scope 3 emissions targets.
“A decarbonised supply chain is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a strategic imperative,” said Laura Eve, VP of SaaS Sustainability Solutions.
The platform offers emissions tracking, supplier engagement tools and expert support, empowering businesses to drive measurable climate action across multiple tiers of their supply networks.
Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation secures funding for water resilience
The Baiyungu Aboriginal Water Corporation is one of 10 recipients sharing in more than $955,000 through the Community Water Supplies Partnership (CWSP) program, which supports climate resilience in rural and remote communities through improved water infrastructure.
Projects funded across WA’s Mid West, Wheatbelt and South West will enhance critical off-farm water supplies, with up to $100,000 available per initiative. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and WA governments, with federal support provided via the National Water Grid Fund.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said: “Partnering with the WA Cook Government and local councils ensures we're delivering real outcomes for communities, including Aboriginal-led initiatives like the Baiyungu project in Coral Bay.”
TasWater proposal promotes water savings and infrastructure renewal
Tasmanians who use less water could soon pay less, under TasWater’s proposed Price and Services Plan (PSP5), now before the Economic Regulator.
The $1.7 billion four-year plan includes an 8.8% annual price increase and aims to address ageing infrastructure while incentivising conservation.
“We are proposing to empower customers to take greater control of their bills by reducing fixed charges and increasing usage-based pricing,” said General Manager Matt Balfe.
Water restrictions lifted in Apollo Bay
Stage 2 water restrictions have been lifted in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek, returning the region to Victoria’s Permanent Water Saving Rules.
Following one of the driest 12-month periods on record, recent rainfall helped boost storage levels from 20.4% in June to around 68%.
“We’ve had a lot of positive interactions with customers and have been delighted by their willingness to embrace water-saving measures,” said Seamus Butcher, General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment.
Contract awarded for recycled water scheme in Cardinia Shire
South East Water has awarded the Stage 1 contract for its Western Port Recycled Water Scheme to BFHI, a consortium of BecaHunterH20, Fulton Hogan and Interflow.
The $113.2 million project will deliver up to 4,000ML of Class A recycled water per year to local farms, increasing irrigable land by 2,900 hectares and creating 80+ jobs.
“A more reliable water source for local farms brings major environmental and economic benefits, without using our precious drinking water,” said Charlie Littlefair, General Manager Liveable Water Solutions.
International
TracWater tech to boost water quality in the Philippines
TracWater has partnered with MetroPac Water Solutions to deploy real-time, cloud-based monitoring across drinking water and environmental systems in the Philippines.
The system delivers live data on pH, turbidity, chlorine and more, enabling early detection and faster response to contamination risks. TracWater says the partnership will support safer water and more resilient infrastructure in a rapidly changing environment.
TracWater Managing Director Len McKelvey: “This partnership is not just about technology – it’s about strengthening public health, protecting the environment, and building resilient water infrastructure for the future".
Scientists push for robust global plastics treaty
Australian researchers are calling for tougher global measures on plastics, as micro- and nanoplastics continue to pollute ecosystems, food chains and water sources.
Flinders University’s Associate Professor Melanie MacGregor, a member of the international Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, said: “Tougher measures should be taken to reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions, chemicals and pollutants… to the environment, food chain and living organisms.”
The coalition’s policy brief will inform next month’s UN plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva.
Freshwater is disappearing at unprecedented rates
A new study published in Science Advances reveals Earth has been losing freshwater across its continents at an alarming rate since 2002.
Researchers from Arizona State University identified four northern hemisphere “mega-drying” regions and found that 75% of the world’s population now lives in countries that have experienced continuous freshwater loss for over 20 years.
The findings highlight serious risks to food production, water security and global stability.
Wetland carbon sink potential has plateaued
New research in Nature Ecology & Evolution shows global wetland carbon sequestration has slowed since 2000, potentially diminishing the terrestrial carbon sink’s contribution to the global carbon budget.
Led by China’s Institute of Soil Science, the study found tropical wetlands contributed 70% of the total carbon sink, with South America, Asia and Africa leading in uptake.
The study is expected to improve how wetlands are factored into international climate models and carbon accounting.
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