Read about the latest news, events and research from VicWater, and your colleagues around the Victorian water sector.
VicWater Update - June 2025
Incorporating IWN
This week I had the opportunity to speak at an event on ‘Securing Victoria’s Water Future’ hosted by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) as part of their ongoing national series exploring how Australia can ensure a sustainable water future.
There was clear recognition among all panel speakers and audience members that our water resources are under growing pressure from a combination of climate change, population growth and competing demands, and it will take a multi-pronged and multi-stakeholder approach to address these challenges.
We talked about the need to explore all options to diversify our water sources, including new system augmentations, better stormwater harvesting, increased non-potable use of recycled water, as well as potentially looking at purified recycled drinking water in future. We also discussed opportunities for greater knowledge sharing and collaboration across government and industry, and importantly with First Nations and Traditional Owners.
I was pleased to be able to share some of the progressive and innovative actions that Victorian water corporations are undertaking to improve water security and sustainability outcomes. I was also encouraged by the support in the room for the premise that in order to secure Victoria’s water future, we need to secure the financial resilience of our water sector.
L to R: Prof Phil Duncan University of Canberra, Jo Lim VicWater, Dr Jonathan Spear Infrastructure Victoria, Lindsey Brown GHD
It’s that time of year again, and registrations for our Annual Conference on 9-11 September have now opened. This year’s theme is ‘Future-Ready: Innovation, Optimism and Opportunity’, and we’re excited to have two fabulous keynote speakers Will Sarni and Milo Wilkinson joining our program, who will bring their perspectives on how to maintain a positive outlook in addressing today’s challenges and unlocking tomorrow’s opportunities. This is always a popular event so make sure you secure your ticket early! See item below for more information.
May was a quiet month with me being on leave and enjoying a couple of weeks in Vietnam.
Safe Drinking Water Regulations Review
The public consultation period for the proposed Safe Drinking Water Regulations and Regulatory Impact Statement closed on 15 May. With the assistance/input from our members, VicWater made a submission on behalf of the sector.
The Department of Health is now considering the submissions from stakeholders in response to proposed Safe Drinking Water Regulations and Regulatory Impact Statement. It will then finalise the Regulations and seek approval of them from the Governor in Council. This is expected to occur during June.
I start this update with some terrific news. The trial of the NovoLabs Super Critical UV system (identified at the 2024 WIOA Conference) has been completed with amazing results. The technology was able to reduce incoming EColi from an average of 13,000 MPN/ml to less than 10 MPN/ml on a highly coloured wastewater of only 2-3% UV transmission in half a second! You can see a summary of the results here. A full report will be released in the coming days. IWN Members can obtain a copy via an email to enquiries@iwn.org.au.
But wait, there’s more! Last week, we completed the installation of the first Hydraloop Advanced Greywater Recycling System in Victoria. You can read all about it here.
Click below to read the full update, or see direct links to this month's updates below.
May was a pretty busy month; Jo went on leave and left me in the hot seat, the VicWater and IWN team travelled to OzWater and most importantly, we held our first Thought Leadership Seminar for 2025. The seminar looked at ‘modern risk management in a dynamic world’ and it definitely made me think.
We are pleased to announce that 2025 Annual Conference registrations are open!
The VicWater Annual Conference will take place from 9 – 11 September 2025 at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
This year the conference theme is “Future-Ready: Innovation, Optimism, and Opportunity” and highlights the importance of innovative solutions, forward-thinking strategies, and a positive outlook in addressing today’s challenges and unlocking tomorrow’s opportunities.
We’re excited to announce we have officially launched the IWN Members Conference, taking place on 28 July 2025 at the State Library in Melbourne.
Take a look at our conference webpage to find out all of the details and to register.
This year’s theme, “Future-ready: Resilience through Innovation”, will bring together industry leaders, showcase groundbreaking projects, and provide plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Construction of a new solar farm and battery at Nhill is now complete and has successfully connected to the electricity grid – supplying cheap renewable energy to power operations at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater).
Gippsland Water trials technology to boost efficiency
Gippsland Water has launched an innovative nanobubble oxygenation trial at the Neerim South wastewater treatment plant.
Funded by a $50,000 prize from the Victorian Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge, the trial aims to replace the current mechanical aeration process with the use nanobubble oxygenation technology to reduce electricity use during wastewater treatment.
Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water collaborate to save endangered Yarra Pygmy Perch
Melbourne Water and Greater Western Water have successfully completed a joint operation to refill a section of Deep Creek in the Macedon Ranges, aiming to save the endangered Yarra Pygmy Perch.
The Yarra Pygmy Perch, a freshwater fish, faced near-extinction during the Millenium Drought, with surviving populations now mostly confined to a few dams and drought refuges. Typically, these fish reach refuges through groundwater-connected pools. However, Melbourne Water ecologists found no flowing water and almost dry pools at the Musteys Bridge and Doggetts Bridge sites.
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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