Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update November 2024
An issue that has been attracting recent mainstream media attention is the presence of PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies, prompted by the United States’ changes to their drinking water standards earlier this year, which makes them the most stringent in the world.
Last month the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released its draft updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines on PFAS for consultation. The draft guidelines propose lower levels for the three types of PFAS in the current guidelines (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS), and a new level for an additional PFAS chemical – PFBS.
Working in the industry, we know that Australia has some of the highest quality drinking water in the world, and the risk from PFAS in drinking water is low due to well-protected and often closed catchments, and multiple barrier treatment processes. Having said that, it is important that the guidelines are reviewed in line with current expert scientific advice to ensure that we maintain not just public health and safety, but also trust in our industry and the essential services we provide.
Our colleagues at WSAA have prepared a set of fact sheets and FAQs on PFAS and drinking water, and VicWater is supporting WSAA to coordinate a national industry response to the draft NHMRC guidelines this month.
With the end of year fast approaching, there is one more event on the VicWater calendar that we invite all our members attend – WaterAble’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability on 3 December. More details are below.
From Monday 2nd December, VicWater will be located at our new office address:
Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne.
Policy Update - November 2024
Carbon Offsets Project
With the Build Phase of the project now complete, Jo Lim and I have been providing individual briefings to the participating water corporations to help them to decide on whether they want to become a member of the SPV to collectively acquire carbon offsets. Water corporations have been asked to advise on their decision regarding joining the SPV by December 24/January 25.
The CGSC continue to progress actions that arose from the cyber exercise earlier this year. I also had the pleasure of presenting on the exercise to the DEECA Sector Resilience Network earlier this week, where cyber was a key focus.
Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) and Practitioners networks
The DISC recently met and discussed the structure for the first Annual Report for the 2024 – 28 Equity Diversity and Inclusion strategy. The Practitioners Network continue to focus on Equity Impact Assessments and are looking at a whole of sector approach to the ownership of these.
In November, join Clearwater for online training in ‘Understanding and Applying Victoria’s Stormwater Planning Requirements’.
The Victorian Government expanded state-wide stormwater planning controls in October 2018 to help protect our waterways, prevent flooding and divert more rainfall and stormwater to our parks and reserves. This course is designed to help planners and engineers understand the links between water and cities, learn about the role and scope of the state-wide controls, and gain confidence in assessing planning applications in a way that best achieves our stormwater objectives.
Join expert facilitators from E2Designlab, Tract Consulting and DEECA for this online training course on Wednesday 13th November, from 9.30 am to 4.30pm.
For more details and to register your interest, visit the event page.
Do I have to leave Vision Super when I change jobs?
Switching jobs can be exciting but also challenging. Among the many considerations, you might wonder what to do with your superannuation savings. Luckily, it’s not very complicated. Now that your superannuation is now “stapled” to you, it’s easier than ever to make sure your employer pays into your active super account.
Photo caption: Jamil Tye, Independent Aboriginal Delegate, Yarra Valley Water
Yarra Valley Water welcomes First Nations Delegate to its Board
Yarra Valley Water is pleased to announce the appointment of Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung man Jamil Tye, as an Independent Aboriginal Delegate to its Board of Directors.
Jamil Tye is the organisation’s first Independent Aboriginal Delegate to be engaged in the role, effective September 2024.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty welcomed Jamil to the team.
Photo caption: Pam Kerry, Technical Director Science, was awarded Highly Commended in the Water Professional of the Year category, pictured with Carolyn Madden, Group Manager Treatment and Recovery Services.
South East Water takes home R&D Excellence Award at Victorian Water Awards
South East Water’s innovation in research and development was recognised by the Victorian water industry at this year’s Australian Water Association (AWA) Victorian Water Awards, held on 23 October.
In partnership with The University of Melbourne and Water Sensitive Cities, South East Water was awarded the Research and Development Excellence Award for research into irrigation for urban cooling.
Do you have a water sector event you'd like to promote? Maybe an announcement you'd like us to share on behalf of your organisation? VicWater Update has opened the news and events section of the monthly update to promote visibility of things that are happening within the water sector.
If you'd like something included email Lauren Vines with your request for consideration in our next edition.
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