SA Water

With significant changes to our metered hydrant application process in 2024, our team has made remarkable strides in enhancing both employee and customer experiences. The initiative required collaboration and commitment across various teams, showcasing the courage needed to align differing preferences and perspectives – while putting the emphasis firmly on customers. Our efforts included improved training for our teams and the introduction of a new Connections channel on our website, making it easier for customers to apply to connect a service. These changes have resulted in a more streamlined and financially efficient process for managing metered hydrants, significantly reducing the time between application and connection, and increasing customer satisfaction. Congratulations to everyone involved for winning our Courageous Award this year. 

This year’s recipients of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award truly exemplify the power of understanding and fostering an inclusive workplace. Our Able Together network organised an enlightening event for our people, with the opportunity to hear firsthand from individuals with lived experiences of autism and neurodiversity. The panellists shared valuable insights on how we can enhance inclusion within SA Water, emphasising that even small victories can lead to significant improvements in our recruitment processes and overall workplace culture. Since the event, these speakers have become trusted advocates, offering guidance on how to address the diverse needs of our workforce. Initiatives like this highlight our commitment to creating an environment where everyone can learn, grow and thrive together. Congratulations to everyone involved in this impactful initiative.

Two significant advancements that enhanced our service delivery while prioritising safety for our teams and customers across regional South Australia have been recognised in our 2024 Innovations and Excellence Awards. Our trial of Starlink technologies successfully addressed a major challenge – the loss of voice and data connectivity in remote areas. What started as a pilot in four of our vehicles has since expanded to more than 70 vehicles state-wide. This satellite technology ensures our regional teams have continuous data connectivity, allowing them to stay connected and deliver exceptional service to our customers, no matter where they are. In our Production and Treatment area, we’ve introduced a new portable chlorine disinfection unit for water storage tanks. This innovative solution significantly reduces risks associated with working at heights by enabling dosing from ground level. It also helps enhance water quality for our customers. Plus, the unit is manufactured in-house using recycled materials, showcasing our commitment to sustainability. Both of these initiatives improve operational efficiency and reinforce our dedication to safety. Congratulations to the teams involved for taking out this year’s Safe Awards (large and small categories).

Each year, our Innovation and Excellence Awards highlight how our organisation is thinking differently and challenging the status quo for the benefit of our customers, our people and the environment. Over the next week, we’ll be showcasing our 2024 winners, starting with the Trustworthy Award. Our Customer, Community and Engagement business group has made significant strides in building trust with our customers through outreach to those experiencing financial hardship. By implementing empathetic and targeted communications, along with dedicated contact channels and tailored solutions, our teams encouraged customers to seek support before their bills became overwhelming. The success of this initiative is evident in the increased calls to our Customer Advocacy team, heightened awareness of our flexible payment options state-wide and a positive shift in our Brand Health Index. Congratulations to the team involved!

We’re thrilled to announce that three amazing SA Water women have been named finalists in the Women in Innovation_sa Awards! This remarkable achievement highlights their dedication, creativity, and leadership in driving innovation within our industry. First, we have Amanda Mussared in the Technology category whose groundbreaking research work in drone technology to enhance efficiency and safety in water utilities was the first towards SA Water becoming a leader in aerial drone technology adoption. Next, Dr Anna Crump has been recognised in the Maths & Data category for her exceptional contributions transforming customer feedback data into greater customer service outcomes. Lastly, Elisabeth Wellings has been honoured as a Young Innovator for her pioneering testing methods ensuring biosolids used as soil conditioners are safe. We’re incredibly proud of Amanda. Anna, and Elisabeth for their achievements and wish them the best of luck at the awards ceremony. Their success is a testament to the talent and dedication within our industry. Congratulations and good luck to all tonight! #womenininnovation #WINN2024 #innovationsa #womeninSTEM

This week, we’ve been celebrating Innovation Week at SA Water with an inspiring mix of events and speakers! For us, it provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our people who are thinking and doing things differently, while gaining insights into initiatives from across the country and around the world. Our launch event earlier in the week set the tone with powerful messages from Chief Scientist for South Australia Professor Craig Simmons, who challenged us to “think big, share insights and embrace diverse perspectives”. An engaging Q&A then explored water’s central role in solving global challenges like energy, climate and health. In a separate event, we also showcased the contributions of higher degree research students, highlighting how their work is advancing knowledge across our business and driving real-world impact.

You could be mistaken for thinking this was a hand-drawn map by JRR Tolkein. It’s actually the design of the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant, using a custom filter in our GIS (Geographic Information System) software. We’ve been using GIS since 1986, for tasks supporting infrastructure management, data collection and analysis, as well as environmental and emergency management. #GISDay #LOTR

Take a good look Adelaide! Gross, isn’t it? We were making good progress, but it appears old habits die hard. Wet wipes have set a new, and very unwanted, record this year – causing more than 1,600 blockages across Adelaide’s sewers, the highest amount ever recorded in a single year. Fortunately, not all wet wipes are created equal nowadays, and some manufacturers have developed products that are certified to the Flushable Products Standard. Read more: https://bit.ly/WetWipeWoes #WorldToiletDay

During the next four years, we’re embarking on the delivery of an unprecedented $3.3 billion investment in our water and wastewater infrastructure to meet the growing needs of South Australians, while sustaining and upgrading our networks and treatment facilities. This investment has a clear focus on supporting housing growth and will lay the foundations for future generations of our state. Today, we shared the opportunities to get involved in delivering this historic capital program with more than 250 members of the construction industry. Across four new tenders, and subcontracting opportunities through our existing construction partners, there’s nearly $1.2 billion worth of upcoming work to be shared throughout the industry. Central to delivering this infrastructure is having a skilled workforce and leveraging the vast experience of our construction partners, and together, we’re ready to build the infrastructure that will support our growing communities. For more details on upcoming opportunities, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gQHRkTvf

Our work takes us to incredible locations – including here in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in SA’s Far North. Whether it’s rain, shine or even a double rainbow, we’re always here to keep your water flowing. #SundayScenery