A short word from me this month as I’ve been on leave. Thanks to Elisa Bourke for stepping in for me during that time.
It was great to meet with the Executive Team at Yarra Valley Water last month to share the IWN direction, update on our recent trials and to explore opportunities for collaboration. We also discussed a role for IWN to share knowledge across the sector of trials and activities that are conducted within a water authority ie not an IWN trial.
April is shaping up to be a busy month with OzWater 24 commencing next week. We’ve made a few suggestions below to fill your OzWater Dance Card. We are also keen to hear what innovation and new technology opportunities you see at OzWater. If you do see something that you’d like to trial, please drop us a line using link below. As we did at WIOA, we are keen to support the opportunities our members find.
Speaking of WIOA, we are continuing to develop the trials discovered and led by our Operators at the WIOA conference.
We have commenced the Pipe Saw trial with Goulburn Valley Water and Cadia Group. The saw has now been deployed and actively evaluated.
The Algae Torch trial with South Gippsland Water and ThermoFisher Scientific has been scoped and the device ordered.
The Enzyme Reduction of Sludge Blanket trial with North East Water and Ixom has been scoped with the first lagoon survey occurring soon and the enzyme in store awaiting dosing.
The Supercritical UV disinfection trial with Greater Western Water and NovoLabs is being scoped.
This is a tremendous testament to the passion and innovation of our Operators.
We’ve been actively working with our Program Managers to build our program working groups and develop the program roadmaps. We will launch all program roadmaps at the Conference on 29 July. To be a part of this exciting phase of IWN’s growth and join one of our Program Working Groups (2-4 hour commitment per month), please drop us a line with the program you are interested in joining.
And finally, our Data and Analytics program have been shaping up the first IWN Hackathon which will take place on 20 September. We will be using data sets derived from recent IWN trials to solve for a problem facing the sector. For now, please save the date and stay tuned for registration details and the Problem Statement reveal!
I hope to see you at OzWater.
Stay safe and well – cheers JC
OzWater 24'
30 April - 2 May Melbourne
With OzWater just around the corner, there's lots of displays and people to visit that are currently working with IWN on projects across our Programs. Come along to support our IWN family presenting -
Tuesday 30 April
Ibrahim Hakeem, RMIT University - HEAVY METALS RECOVERY AND BIOCHAR PRODUCTION FROM BIOSOLIDS VIA INTEGRATED MILD ACID PRE-TREATMENT AND PYROLYSIS PROCESSES Room 216 (1.10-1.25 pm)
Panel - WaterAble & Greater Western Water - BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. BREAKING DOWN EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Room 219 (3.50 - 5.20pm)
Wednesday 1 May
Rodrigo Marquina, Goulburn Valley Water - ALUM SLUDGE: IT IS NOT A WASTE IF IT IS VALUABLE Room 213 (11.35 - 12.00 pm)
Spiral Data / SEW Case study - SOLVING PRESSURE TRANSIENCE USING MACHINE LEARNING - Live Webinar at Spiral Data booth J01 (12.30 - 1.00pm)
Michael Thomas & James Moverley, Barwon Water, Prof. Kalpit Shah, RMIT & Prof. Nolene Byrne, Deakin University - BIOCHAR TO BATTERIES; HARNESSING WATER BYPRODUCTS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STORAGE Room 217 (1.20 - 1.45 pm)
Ibrahim Hakeem, RMIT University - BIOSOLIDS-DERIVED BIOCHAR FOR LAND APPLICATION: HEAVY METALS AND PHOSPHORUS RECOVERY Room 217 (2.35 - 3.00 pm)
Panel discussion with Jason Cotton - SETTING THE COURSE: THE INESCAPABLE AND CRITICAL AGENDA FOR RESPONSIBLE AI IN WATER UTILITIES
Room 216 (3.50 - 5.20 pm)
Be sure to visit our Technology partners in current trials
Spiral Data D28
Eco Detection M09
Detection Services G27
Novolabs M23
A message from Melbourne Water
If you're heading to AWA’s Ozwater’24 in Melbourne later this month; we look forward to seeing you there!
In this decade that matters, we’re excited to showcase how we work towards accelerating action through important projects and initiatives, and we invite our colleagues to come and talk to us at the Melbourne Water exhibit (stand number EO1).
Let's use this opportunity to have important conversations, create and share actionable ideas that will define our futures.
If you are heading to the OzWater Conference and Exhibition and you spot an innovation or technology to trial, we want to hear about it! Send us an email at enquiries@iwn.org.au with a short description of the innovation/technology and the problem it solves for the sector, and we will be in contact about scoping up a potential trial or pilot.
Are you passionate about driving impactful sector wide transformation?
Now is an exciting time to volunteer to join our program working groups and leadership teams. The development and implementation of the Program Roadmaps will set the foundation for success of the Programs into the future. Please contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au if you would like more information.
About IWN's Hub & Spoke
By transitioning to a hub and spoke model, the IWN Office (what we now call IWN Central) will focus on creating and maintaining the enabling structure and tools that support the success of programs and continue to develop and grow the strategic relationships necessary for IWN to fulfill its purpose.
This month we meet Erinne our Lower Murray Water Champion
Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of South Australia's Mallee region, Erinne moved to Mildura to work at Lower Murray Water in 2018. When Erinne is not immersed in the world of corporate services, you'll likely find her spending time with the family, stitching away on a sewing project, exploring the vibrant world of gin distilleries, or dancing to the beats of live bands.
April's webinar recording is now available. As an IWN member, you can register for access to all IWN Webinar recordings via our IWN Knowledge Hub.
May Webinar Series
Functionalised Biochar Production Pyroco Mark 2 Trial update
In May's Webinar you will get the latest update from our most recent Pyroco trial. As an IWN member, you can register for access to all IWN Webinars and Webinar recordings via our IWN Knowledge Hub.
Please email us at enquiries@iwn.org.au if you have any ideas you'd like to see us include in our Webinar series.
We are planning a great line up of key note speakers. Our Program Leaders will be launching our IWN Program Roadmaps that set the strategies and opportunities for each IWN program for the next few years. Join us to hear about all the exciting innovative trials we have been working on and new opportunities. You will enjoy networking with industry thought leaders and be a part of industry collaborative transformation.
Stay tuned for live agenda updates!
💡Registrations now open for this FREE event available to all IWN Members. Seats limited, so get in quick.
💡For the first time we are offering free registration to our University partner students.
Interested in Sponsoring setting up a trade stall at the conference?
If you are interested in sponsoring our conference. Contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au for a copy of our sponsorship prospectus.
The National Chemicals Working Group (NCWG) are currently working through the comments and submissions on the PFAS NEMP 3.0 document, as well as information from the growing field of PFAS research. Preparation of the PFAS NEMP 3.0 document is in progress and the document is expected to be cleared by Commonwealth, State and Territory Environment Ministers by the end of the year. Publication will follow Ministerial clearance.
If you’d like to be added to the PFAS NEMP 3.0 contact list to be notified when the PFAS NEMP 3.0 is published, please email PFASstandards@dcceew.gov.au.
Digital Metering State of Play reports (2023)
The final reports are now available on our Knowledge Hub for IWN Members.
Following the success of Amazon Culture of Innovation Webinar presentation, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is offering an opportunity to work with IWN Member organisations on Digital Innovation (DI) engagement .
This offer, in partnership with IWN, is:
available to one or more IWN member organisations
free of charge up until the build phase, but a commitment of time is required.
looking to solve a strategic problem for Water industry using technology (e.g. detecting contaminants of concern), with the ultimate outcome of building a solution.
The video from the Culture of Innovation presentation is linked here and the support information from the Webinar regarding the DI process are available in IWN's Knowledge Hub.
Interested in participating?
Please think through the key problem statements that you would like to consider and we will connect you to the AWS team to discuss further.
Contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au if you would more information or to be involved in this opportunity.
Opportunity to Pilot Net Zero Cloud with Salesforce & the Big Zero
Following on from the interest in our Lunch & Learn earlier this year, we are offering an opportunity to pilot the Net Zero Cloud solution. Salesforce and The Big Zero, are offering IWN members an opportunity to pilot the data-driven decision-making solution to evaluate whether it might assist water authorities to achieve Net Zero emissions.
Want to know more?
If you missed the Lunch & Learn and want to see the recording or learn more about the pilot, please contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au.
International day against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT)
Industry Event - 16 May hosted by South East Water
The IDAHOBIT event on 16 May emphasises collaborative efforts of the metros to raise awareness of LGBTIQA+ rights, centered around the theme #Nooneleftbehind - equality, freedom, and justice for all. All employees are encouraged to participate in a video presentation, bearing in mind that the video will be posted externally.
South East Water is hosting an event on the 16th, the day before IDAHOBIT day.
All Victorian water organisations and IWN member organisations are invited to attend this event with guest speaker and the presentation of a video that Stuart Carey has graciously offered to put together about the importance of this day.
We are inviting everyone to contribute in a small way with a video which will share messages of action, support and commitment about this important day in the calendar.
Contact us at enquiries@iwn.org.au to receive an event invite and for tips on quality pictures for IDAHOBIT Day.
Did you know we have 12 different delivery programs?
You can head over to our website to see what's happening on our program pages.
Check out our operating structure....
VicWater, Level 2, 466 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000, Australia
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