Australia's best water people and projects announced at the Australian Water Awards
23 May 2019
The winners of the
Australian
Water Association’s national Australian
Water Awards were announced last night at the Ozwater’19 Gala Dinner
which was held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The Australian Water Awards bring together the country’s most inspiring
leaders, and each state’s most innovative programs, research or
infrastructure projects.
Australian Water Association Chief Executive, Jonathan McKeown attended
the awards dinner and congratulated all finalists and winners for their
hard work and outstanding achievements.
“Our national award finalists show just how talented and innovative our
water sector is,” Mr McKeown said.
"On behalf of the entire Association, we’d like to congratulate the
professionals and organisations who are truly transforming the world."
“We’d also like to thank ANZ for their sponsorship of these industry
awards and their support in recognising the great work being done across
the sector nationally.”
Research Innovation Award
Winner
Driving Change from Conservatism to Pragmatism – Better Use of Biosolids
and Recycled Water by Using Research to Challenge Guidelines
South East
Water
Through this project, South East Water explored changes to existing
regulations around biosolids and recycled water. Using rigorous
research, the project team delivered regulatory changes that
significantly streamlined storage requirements for both biosolids and
recycled water. These changes are now driving major efficiency gains for
the industry both in Australia and beyond.
Highly Commended
UGOLD – A Decentralised Technology for the Removal & Recovery of
Valuable Nutrients from Source Separated Urine
Advanced Water Management Centre, The
University of Queensland and
Queensland Urban Utilities
Program Innovation Award
Award Category Sponsor:
Broadspectrum
Winner
Enhancing Our Dandenong Creek
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water’s commitment to working with the community and other
agencies to achieve exemplary outcomes is clear in the Enhancing Our
Dandenong Creek program. The project has seen measurable on-ground
benefits, through the reintroduction of two nationally threatened fish
species, and world-leading waterway renewal works.
Infrastructure Project Innovation Award
Award Category Sponsor:
SMEC
Winner
Groundwater Replenishment Scheme
Water Corporation
As the first water project of its kind in Australia, the Groundwater
Replenishment Scheme has made a significant contribution to the
country’s long-term security of water supplies, by creating a new
climate-independent water source and increasing the capacity to safely
and efficiently recycle water.
Highly Commended
Sun and Salt: Logan’s Water Quality Solution
Logan City Council,
Downer,
Cardno and
WSP
Water Industry Safety Excellence Award
Award Category Sponsor:
WSAA
Winner
Potable Robotic Tank Cleaning Program
Watertight Robotics
Watertight Robotics has developed a world-first technology for online
cleaning and inspection of potable water storages. The technology
eliminates all requirement for human entry while delivering quality
cleaning, water efficiency and cost of execution superior to all
traditional methods.
Best Water e-Journal Paper 2018 - In honour of Guy Parker
Winner
A New Approach to Assessing Water Quality Risk
Stephen Westgate and Matthew Robertson
This paper highlights the robust model TasWater has developed to assess
and manage water quality risk. The visual assessment tool plots the
results onto a single chart, to allow for visualisation and
prioritisation of water quality risk reduction activities across all 51
of TasWater’s potable drinking water systems. This has allowed for the
development of efficient programs of operational improvements and
capital upgrades to reduce risk to consumers. This paper is a valuable
contribution to water industry knowledge in Australia.
Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Award Category Sponsor:
Xylem
Winner
The SODIS Sticker: Development and testing of a Film based detector
system for appropriate
Ultraviolet Solar Disinfection (SODIS) of Water
Macinley Butson, The Illawarra Grammar School
Macinley has developed the SODIS sticker, an innovative ultraviolet
radiation sticker which accurately measures the solar UV exposure
required to sanitise drinking water. This is done through a high
accuracy transparent UV-sensitive film coupled with a partially UV
blocking filter, which allows the SODIS sticker to measure direct UV
exposure from the sun and reflected UV from other objects. At just over
one cent to produce, it is also a cost-effective and safe way of
purifying drinking water for developing communities.
Highly Commended
Deadly Heavy Metals Filter: Using Carbon Coated Mussel Shells and High
Magnetic Field Magnet for the Filtration of Heavy Metal-Contaminated
Water
Uriah Daisybell, CAPS Coolgardie
Student Water Prize
Winner
Real-time Monitoring of Cyanobacteria: Validation of Fluorometers as a
Tool for Optimising Treatment Processes – Florence Choo,
University of
New South Wales
Florence is a final year engineering PhD student at UNSW and was a
visiting research student at SA Water. Florence is the recipient of the
Water RA Nancy Millis Scholarship award and the UNSW Women in
Engineering Award. Her work focuses on monitoring cyanobacteria in
real-time for drinking water processes.
Young Water Professional of the Year
Award Category Sponsor:
TRILITY
Winner
Matthew Robertson
Process Engineer,
TasWater
Matthew is an emerging leader driving change, engagement and critical
thinking across the water and wastewater portfolio. He has pioneered
innovations in water quality risk management and his career highlights
to date rival the achievements of many experienced water industry
professionals.
Matthew plays a critical role in improving TasWater’s reputation through
his ability to engage with concerned customers during emergency
incidents. His calm and mature approach with customers is helping to
raise the awareness and appreciation of the water industry within the
community. He is also a strong advocate for positioning the water sector
as an attractive career and is a key ambassador and mentor for
TasWater’s cadetship program.
In only a short time Matthew has already made significant contributions
to the industry and is a worthy recipient of the 2019 Young Water
Professional of the Year Award.
Highly Commended
Kate Bowker
Senior Technical Advisor - Wastewater Recycling, Water Corporation
Water Professional of the Year
Winner
Darryl Day
Managing Director,
ICE WaRM
Darryl has dedicated his life to the water sector, as a committed and
passionate participant for nearly 40 years, with 35 of these being in
service to the Northern Territory Government. His lifelong passion to
address access to sanitation and safe drinking water supplies is evident
through the endless time he has devoted to improving the health and
wellbeing of Indigenous Australians and some of the Northern Territory’s
most disadvantaged community members.
In his current role Darryl works with international organisations in the
realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals by leading
collaborative approaches in capacity development. Darryl’s personal
commitment to the industry is showcased through his extensive volunteer
participation in peak industry bodies, education providers and research
institutions and the numerous industry Board’s he has directed.
Darryl’s efforts have created a lasting legacy which he continues to
grow and expand with each working year and he is a highly deserving
recipient of the 2019 Water Professional of the Year.
Highly Commended
Kevin Young
Managing Director,
Sydney Water
The Association wishes to congratulate all the award finalists and
winners and thank our generous
sponsors for their support of these important awards.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Water Association - www.awa.asn.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: Australian Water Association