Read about the latest news and events from VicWater, IWN and the Victorian water sector. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
VicWater-stacked-w-tag-2
IWN logo
Masthead_FA

May 2026

Welcome to the new look Update!

A monthly e-newsletter to spotlight news and events relevant to VicWater and IWN Members.

JoLimBanner-1

Data centres and water use

 

The emergence of new so-called ‘hyperscale’ data centres continues to be a hot topic in the media, and water use has become a central sustainability challenge. This was a key theme at the Melbourne Cloud & Datacentre Convention in April, where I represented the water sector in a panel discussion on ‘AI, Data Centres and The Water Crisis’.

Read full update
JCottonBanner-1

Pyroco MK2 – end of an era, beginning of the next

 

After six years of pilot-scale trials, one of Australia’s leading biosolids-to-biochar projects is entering an exciting new phase.

Developed by RMIT University in partnership with South East Water and Roundhill Engineering, Pyroco converts biosolids and organics into high-value biochar while destroying contaminants of concern including PFAS, microplastics and pharmaceuticals.

Read full update
Melbourne Cloud & Datacentre Convention
Pyroco GWW Trial Visit v3
IWN Circular Economy Leadership Changeover Meeting L - R: Jason Cotton, Michael Thomas, Rodrigo Marquina, Olivia Reynolds and Kerryn Lester-Smith

TDanielBanner

Women Deliver Conference 2026

 

I am a strong believer that gender equality is not a luxury and not just a women’s issue, so when the opportunity arose to attend the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Melbourne, I jumped at the chance!

Read full update
SCravenBanner

Guidelines for high usage and undetected leaks

 

VicWater is working with our members to review and update these guidelines (commonly known as the HULA guidance) to take account of technology changes that have been adopted by water corporations in recent years, notably the increasing use of digital meters. 

 

Read full update

2026 Challenge Open For Submissions

The 2026 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge (WMCIC) is now open for submissions. With $320,000 funding available, submissions are open until 22 July.

Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge (WMCIC) banner
Read more and Submit

Events

2026 IDAHOBIT Special Online Event

Join Online!

When: Monday 18 May

            12.30pm - 1:15pm

Where: Zoom - online

    Read more and Register
    IDAHOBIT Online Event 18.5.26

    2026 IWN Members Conference

    shutterstock_1206996064 mentoring one-on-one

    graphic

    Registrations now open!

    When: 27 - 28 July

    Where: State Library Victoria

    Cost:  FREE for IWN Members

    Read more and Register

    2026 VicWater Annual Conference

    Save the date!

    When: 8 - 10 September

    Where: RACV City Club, Melbourne.

     

    Registrations opening next month in June.

      Annual Conference Graphic 2026 - no sponsors

      Partner News

      Vision Super - Sponsored Content

      man in dripping rain jacket looking up at the sky with a concerned expression

      Ensuring your super can weather uncertainty

      When there are big things happening in the world, like conflicts, political instability, significant financial events or natural disasters, financial markets can react negatively or bounce up and down. 

      Read more

      Water Law and Natural Resource Management

      Calling all budding water lawyers, water practitioners and water policy makers! Want to amp up your water law skills? Join Dr Erin O’Donnell at Melbourne Law School for a five day intensive Masters Law class dedicated to water law and management.

      Course Details

      When: November 2026

      Where: On campus - Melbourne Law School

      What: 5 day intensive Masters Law course

        melb uni
        More details

        Member News

        SEW - National Water poster comp

        2026 National Water Week poster competition now open

         

        South East Water is inviting local young Water Heroes, from kindergarten to Year 8, to create a poster for the 2026 National Water Week competition.

          Read more
          Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming and senior project delivery lead David Peake at the Clarkes Road water basin recently

          Gippsland Water's new water basin build reaches major milestone

           

          Construction of a new 50-megalitre basin to service five towns in the Latrobe Valley has reached a major milestone, with civil works now complete.

            Read more
            Mark Reid, Hopetoun Water Treatment Plant Operator

              Hopetoun’s tap water officially top tier

               

              A sample from Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater’s) Hopetoun Water Treatment Plant was named as one of three grand finalists at the Best Tasting Tap Water Competition in Bendigo.

                Read more
                left to right – Wannon Water Managing Director, Steven Waterhouse, Board Chair, Helen Scarborough, Member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Emacora and engineer Chris Mahony

                  Sewage plant upgrade to boost south west economy

                   

                  The government has supported the $85 million upgrade of Wannon Water's Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant so it can underpin regional growth and investment.

                    Read more
                    shutterstock_1206996064 mentoring one-on-one

                    IW-2022-600x150

                    Something Powerful

                    Call for Content

                    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.

                     

                    Share

                    Share this newsletter with your colleagues and ask them to Subscribe to VicWater's monthly news.

                    Subscribe to VicWater Update
                    Facebook
                    LinkedIn
                    X
                    YouTube
                    Website
                    Email

                    Copyright © 2025 VicWater.  All rights reserved

                     

                    VicWater, Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000, Australia

                    Unsubscribe Manage preferences