Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
AquaSure has begun the first performance tests at the Victorian Desalination Plant to ensure drinking water being produced during the commissioning phase meets quality requirements.
Once the water meets the quality requirements, the next phase of the commissioning process under the desalination contract is to test the water transfer in the pipeline to storages.
As part of that process, desalinated water is expected to gradually enter Cardinia Reservoir in the next week or so, depending on AquaSure's commissioning progress.
Research to focus on water management reform
The impact of stormwater management on local wetlands and urban design will be the main focus for review as State and local governments, business, industry and The University of Western Australia prepare to launch new research that will guide water management reform in Western Australia.
Burke extends time for Murray-Darling Plan negotiations
A ministerial meeting of the Federal Government and Basin States has again failed to reach agreement over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, although Federal Minister for Water Tony Burke said progress and some further concensus had been made on the details.
New CEO for Sydney Desal Plant
Keith Davies, formerly chief executive of Tarong Energy and Co-ordinator General of Queensland, has been appointed CEO of Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Ltd (SDP).
CSIRO denounces APPEA claims about groundwater impacts of coal seam gas mining
The debate about the impact of coal seam mining on groundwater has been fuelled by claims made in a television commercial produced by Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) and aired on Sunday 2 September that ‘CSIRO [and government studies] have shown that groundwater is safe with coal seam gas’.
NWC releases aquatic systems in water planning report
The National Water Commission has released a new report, Recognising the broader benefits of aquatic systems in water planning: an ecosystem services approach.
SA Premier launches River Run to campaign for the Murray
The South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, has continued his Fight for the Murray campaign with a week-long “River Run” from the State’s border to the Murray Mouth.
Vertessy appointed to lead BOM
Renowned water scientist Dr Rob Vertessy has been appointed director of Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
Dr Vertessy, who was appointed Deputy Director of the Bureau (Climate and Water) in 2007, has been acting as Director since December last year.
After a career spanning more than 20 years as a senior water scientist and leading researcher, Dr Vertessy joined the Bureau in 2007 and led the expansion of the Bureau’s role in providing the hydrological information central to the delivery of national water reform.
WA tightens petroleum regulations
The Western Australian Government has announced new petroleum environment regulations which mandate public disclosure of any chemicals introduced into a well or formation.
Water scarcity could hit food supply
Current trends in food production and consumption could lead to catastrophic water shortages, a report authored by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) has found.
MDBA plan inches closer
Federal Minister for Water, Tony Burke, has announced that his office will continue to work closely with the Murray Darling Basin Authority in releasing its final plan following an agreement with all Basin States.
Rainwater tank usage increases in Victoria
The number of Victorian households with rainwater tanks increased to 707,000 in 2011 from 600,000 in 2009, according to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Victoria announces fraccing moratorium
The Victorian Government has announced a moratorium on all hydraulic fracturing as part of a suite of reforms aimed at providing greater certainty on the impacts of the coal seam gas industry’s effects on the environment.
WA outlines Hardy Inlet water quality plan
The Western Australian Government has launched a plan to improve and maintain long-term water quality in the Hardy Inlet.
UQ to research CSG water impact
The University of Queensland has announced a research project measuring the impact of the coal seam gas (GSG) industry on Australia’s underground water supplies.
WA passes key water reform
The Western Australian Government has passed two bills aimed at improving the governing of water services before State Parliament.
EPA satisfied over Yallourn Mine discharge
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has found that discharges from the Yallourn Mine are having no serious effects on the surrounding lakes and waterways.
Sydney wastewater work starts
Work has begun on $6 million in wastewater improvements across Sydney, with piping work at the Concord Submain beginning after work was completed on the Thornleigh, Waverley-Woollahra and East Hills Submains recently.
Volcanic rocks could hold key for irrigation
Research being undertaken by the Central Queensland University (CQU) is using volcanic rocks to make salty and brackish water a viable source of water for for irrigators.
Sydney Water wins global award
The International Water Association (IWA) has awarded a Global Honour Award to Sydney Water for its Critical Water Mains Strategy and Implementation Project, the award to be officially presented at the IWA World Water Congress in Korea in September.
Victoria holds Rural Water Innovation Awards
A consortium of water corporations have held the inaugural Rural Water Innovation Awards, with Victorian Water Minister praising the four winners innovation and productivity gains.