SA Water

Managing long-term water security amid significantly dry conditions is a current challenge for water utilities around Australia. How we’re using innovative technology and modelling to enhance our decision-making in this space is the focus of an insightful article published online this week by the Australian Water Association. If you’re heading along to Ozwater’25 – which we’re excited to host in Adelaide this May – our Manager Metro Water Security Steve Kotz and Stantec Digital Services Market Leader Alana Duncker, will also be presenting on the topic, so we encourage you to come along! As industry experts in water security management, Steve and Alana will delve into the latest advancements in next generation demand forecasting, which in addition to better informing our infrastructure investment, can also make our people’s work more efficient. Register for Ozwater’25 here: https://lnkd.in/gf3tx2Rb https://lnkd.in/gC2A3iiQ

“You can do anything, but not everything”, “lift while you rise” and “lead with authenticity and empathy”. These were among the inspirational takeaways for some of our people who attended this week’s SA Public Sector Women in Leadership Summit. The two-day event was jam-packed with a variety of speakers and panel sessions, focusing on topics such as leading through uncertainty, rethinking work design, mentoring opportunities and the role of male allies. Among the panelists on day two was our Corporate Compliance Manager, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Project Manager (Workforce) and Together for Women co-lead Stacey Nelan, who shared her lived experience and expertise on keeping women safe at home and the workplace. Thanks to The Hatchery (Hub) for hosting, and we look forward to the learnings being turned into action in our workplaces.

Last week, we hosted the team from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s Behind the News at our Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant to talk all things fatbergs. Steph from our Community Connection team led them on a tour of Bolivar, sharing an overview of the plant’s treatment processes and the types of things that  shouldn’t be flushed down the loo. You can watch the segment and learn more here: https://bit.ly/3CR7xOf

Across SA’s vast and remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, nearly all our water pipelines are installed underground – except for one in Pukatja (Ernabella)!   So why does this particular pipe stand out above the rest? The answer lies beneath the surface – the ground is simply too hard and rocky to dig into.   Rather than trying to battle the tough terrain when any maintenance is required, we’ve adapted by laying this section of pipe above ground, ensuring a reliable water supply for the local community.

These new excavators are ‘Rocky-ing’ our world! Rocky and The Bumble Bee (pictured) are among a fleet of 10 new excavators operated by our metro Field Operations team and officially named by their creative kids. Next time you see our crews out and about, you might also meet Ellavator, Diggity, DiggerBot, Tommy Hill Digger, Emu, Diggersaurus, Texcavator or Goldy. The personalised machinery is all about pride and purpose for the team, providing a connection to safety with their equipment, jobs and each other. 📸 Civil Maintenance Worker Michael and his family with The Bumble Bee

Meet our dynamic duo, Jakata and Belinda, two of our hard-working sewer crew members who keep things flushing and flowing as they should!   We have women in field-based roles across our organisation, but Jakata and Belinda are the only two paired in a single crew – a first for our metro delivery partner Service Stream.   They drive a Predator truck, which not only sounds awesome, but equips them to clear blockages from sewer connections and pipes. Vital work for public health!   Just like every other crew, their top priority is safety – because working safely means going home safely at the end of the day.

Australia’s premier week of water is fast approaching, and we encourage you to join us for Ozwater’25 event in Adelaide! Our range of presenters, along with those from across the water industry, will dive into exploring innovative solutions and practices that align with our commitment to a sustainable water future. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gf3tx2Rb Australian Water Association

How’s the view of the mighty River Murray from Lock 4! Stationed in Bookpurnong, the lock was our most visited Riverland-based site for 2024, with around 650 boats, kayaks and other river vessels passing through the lock last year. More than 6,000 lockages were recorded at the Goolwa Barrage and nine River Murray locks managed by our team across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales for the year, making it the highest number since the 2022-23 floods. For more information about our network of locks and weirs, visit our website: https://bit.ly/Lockages

Our people are on board with a great sustainability initiative, with almost 1,000 items donated to our pre-loved uniform shop. 🧡 Giving a second life to gear like hi-vis shirts saves costs and completing the sustainability cycle, what can't be re-used, is recycled by Blocktexx.

There’s something a little different to a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, which is overlooking our Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant. It’s extra busy at the plant at the moment, with new pump stations and inlet screens being installed to help double its capacity, as housing developments in Adelaide’s north progressively connect to our sewer network. 📸 Kraig Murtaugh