Thank you to those who joined our sessions and your amazing support over Ozwater23!
Attending Ozwater23 with WSAA was a truly fun and insightful experience. The conference was packed with engaging sessions that covered a range of topics related to water management, sustainability, and innovation. Among the most thought-provoking sessions were those on purified recycled water and the new National Water Initiative. These sessions sparked hard, tough questions, but also provided positive stories about how we can secure water for people and communities.
The purified recycled water from international perspectives session showcased some of the most innovative and exciting projects in the field of water treatment and recycling. It was fascinating to hear from international specialists about how they are using cutting-edge technologies to purify water in sustainable and cost-effective ways.
And the new National Water Initiative – securing water for people and communities session highlighted the importance of collaboration and community engagement in securing water resources for all Australians. It was inspiring to hear from key leaders, representatives from organizations for First Nations communities, and water experts about the situation and the work they are doing to ensure that our water systems are sustainable and equitable.
One of the most exciting parts of the conference launching of the Accelerating to Net Zero, then hearing about how people are going above and beyond to push the boundaries of net zero. The speakers shared inspiring stories about their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainability in their operations. It was clear that there is a lot of innovation happening in the water industry, and it was truly inspiring to see how people are using technology and new methods to address the challenges we face.
Another highlight of the conference was the session on supporting customers through the cost-of-living crisis. It was heartening to see how much thought and effort from South East Water, Sydney Water, Yarra Valley Water, Focus Connect, Thriving Communities Partnership, and Commonwealth Bank, are going into helping customers manage their water bills, and to hear stories of successful programs that have helped people stay afloat during tough times.
And Congratulations to South East Water winners of the Customer Experience Award and Melbourne Water winners of the Water Industry Safety Excellence Award!!
Last but not least, a session that brought so much joy (and lovely cupcakes) was about Pride in Water, which is a movement that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and allyship in the water industry. It was uplifting to see how individuals and organizations can make a positive impact by embracing their identities, advocating for social justice, and fostering a sense of belonging and respect for all.
Here is a sharing from a participant ‘Ozwater23 with WSAA was a fantastic experience that left me feeling energized and inspired. I came away with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the water industry, and with a renewed commitment to doing my part to help build a more sustainable future’.
Big thanks to our supporters, speakers and partners from Sydney Water, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, SA Water, Barwon Water, Marsden Jacobs, Circular Australia, UNSW, Aquanex Pty Ltd, Purple House, Severn Trent UK, Aarhus Denmark, PUB Singapore, Water Corporation, Melbourne Water, Chief Executive Officer, Unitywater, Goulburn Valley Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, Thriving Communities Partnership, Commonwealth Bank, Focus Connect, Carollo Engineers, and City of San Francisco.
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18 May 2023
