Western Australian Water Minister Terry Redman has officially opened this year’s Ozwater, which will see over 1,000 Australian and international water experts descend on Perth to talk about all things water.

Mr Redman said the participants included professionals working in drinking water, wastewater and storm water research, regulation, consultancy, management and operations.

“The theme of this year’s event is Competing for Water in a Climate of Change and there is no better place to discuss that topic than right here in Western Australia, where we have been hit hard by climate change and reduced rainfall,” the Minister said.

“Ozwater ’13 will explore some of the new approaches to managing water resources in a drying climate, from some of the best in the business and at the same time will showcase the groundbreaking work that is taking place right here in WA.”

International guest speakers at this year’s conference includes chair of the Sri Lanka Water Partnership, Kusum Athurkorala, chief executive of South West Water in the United Kingdom, Christopher Loughlin and Professor John Lloyd Emeritus Professor from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.