The Australian Water Association (AWA), in collaboration with the Australian Water Partnership (AWP), has been forging partnerships in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Pacific region.

A recent initiative of the joint program took place on the picturesque islands of the Solomon Islands.

 A team led by Sally Armstrong, Head of International and Industry Programs at AWA, embarked on a fact-finding mission to tackle the challenge of saltwater intrusion, caused by rising sea levels, which threatens the island's critical water sources.

The team, accompanied by representatives from Goulburn Valley Water, including Tony Wulff, a skilled small-aircraft pilot, and Elise O'Keeffe, District Manager - Central Operations, worked closely with Solomon Water CEO Ian Gooden and his team. 

Their collaboration resulted in a draft action plan to combat saltwater intrusion. 

Subsequently, Scravin Tongi and Benjamin Billy of Solomon Water travelled to Sydney's Ozwater ‘23 to set the plan in motion, forging connections with contractors and exploring innovative solutions.

This partnership between Goulburn Valley Water and Solomon Water is one of six international collaborations facilitated by AWA's International Development Program. 

The program, supported by the Australian Water Partnership, aims to achieve climate resilience and sustainable water management in the region.

By addressing challenges such as water loss and climate-induced crises, the program aligns with the Australian government's commitment to gender equity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also fosters mutual learning experiences for all participants involved.

Through a scoping phase, AWA successfully matched Australian water utilities with their international counterparts. 

The program facilitated partnerships between Hoa Binh Clean Water Company and Cassowary Coast Regional Council in Vietnam, PT. Air Minum Giri Menang and TasWater in Indonesia, and Solomon Water with Goulburn Valley Water and Tonga Water Board with Unitywater in the Pacific.

These partnerships are meant to offer reciprocal benefits, empowering Australian utilities to deepen their commitment to the water sector while sharing expertise and knowledge. 

The program's participants engage in study tours, knowledge exchange workshops, and regular meetings to foster continuous learning and address shared challenges. 

The collective impact of these partnerships will be showcased at Ozwater ‘24 in Melbourne.