WaterRA and its members will bring strong, research‑led voices to Ozwater’26, showcasing the thinking, talent and collaboration shaping Australia’s water future. From interactive workshops and PhD candidate showcases to member‑led engagement and award sponsorship, WaterRA will be front and centre—sharing insights, sparking ideas and connecting people across the sector to turn research into real‑world impact.
Join us at the WaterRA Member Connect @ Ozwater'26
With so many WaterRA members together at Ozwater’26, we’re delighted to invite you to the WaterRA Member Connect @Ozwater'26.
This event is open to everyone attending Ozwater’26 — whether you’re a WaterRA member or not. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the work we do, meet the WaterRA team, and connect with colleagues and peers from across the water sector. We want everyone in the room.
The evening is designed for networking and connection, with updates on:
- The Big Challenges from our Water Research Outlook
- A sneak peek at WaterRA’s new 2030 Strategy
We'll also be presenting the 2026 Nancy Millis Memorial Award to Stephanie Faulks (Adelaide University supported by CRC SAAFE). In memory of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC ME and her contribution to the Australian water industry throughout her career, this Memorial Award is awarded annually to a WaterRA Research Leadership Program student who has demonstrated initiative, has exceptional qualities and a passion for research. Join us to celebrate the 2026 winner and their impact on the Australian water industry.
It’s a relaxed and engaging opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, gain insights into WaterRA’s strategic direction, and hear about research activity across the membership — all while enjoying great views, drinks and canapés with the WaterRA Team.
🗓 Tuesday, 26 May 2026
⏰ 6:30–9:00 pm (AEST)
💲Members are free, Non-Members $75pp
📍 Sky Room, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Drinks and canapés included
Register now to secure your place >>
Recognising Research Excellence at the National Water Awards
WaterRA is the proud sponsor of the National R&D Excellence Award, which will be presented at the Ozwater Gala Dinner & Water Awards Night on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
The R&D Excellence Award recognises projects that challenge current practice and address the need for a sustainable water future. Eligible projects demonstrate excellence in advancing the conservation or better use of water resources and may contribute to improved knowledge across water technology, environmental management, sociology, economics or cultural dimensions of the water sector.
The award is open to research and development of all types, including early‑stage innovation, with state award winners competing for the national title. Our team looks forward to celebrating all the finalists and connecting with members and colleagues.
Find us in the Program & at the Exhibition
Advancing Catchment Health Management
Workshop: Catchment Health Metrics – Adopting a Consistent Framework to Support Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation within Water Supply Catchments
On the first day of Ozwater’26, WaterRA will host an interactive workshop focused on one of the most critical foundations of water security: healthy catchments.
Assessing catchment health in a consistent, meaningful and outcome‑focused way has long been a challenge. Through WaterRA Project 1140: Catchment Health Metrics (CHM), WaterRA worked closely with several water utilities and partner Alluvium Consulting to co‑develop a flexible framework for catchment health assessment, supported by a practical and accessible CHM Tool.
The framework integrates remote sensing, land use data, water quality monitoring and catchment morphometrics into a robust toolkit that supports benchmarking, monitoring and transparent communication of management outcomes. It has already been applied across diverse Australian catchments, addressing challenges such as changing rainfall patterns, bushfires, unsealed roads, mining, agriculture and urban development.
Led by WaterRA and Alluvium Consulting, with support from Hunter Water and WaterNSW, this workshop will:
- Introduce the catchment health framework, CHM Tool and its technical foundations
- Showcase real‑world utility case studies and lessons learned
- Provide practical insights to help delegates apply the framework within their own catchment contexts
The session will also invite participants to help shape next steps toward a more consistent national approach to catchment health management, influencing future research and application across Australia.
Workshop details
Name: W5 Workshop – Catchment Health Metrics
Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Time: 1:45 pm
Location: Room P3 & P4
Supporting Safe and Sustainable Potable Reuse
Presentation: Developing Australian Guidance for Trade Waste Control for PRW
As Australia looks to increase the implementation of Purified Recycled Water (PRW) schemes, effective management of feed water quality from sewer catchments to wastewater treatment plants is essential to ensuring safe drinking water outcomes.
This session will introduce the proposed approach being developed under WaterRA Project 3056, which focuses on trade waste and source control for PRW schemes. While the final report is still under development, the session provides a timely platform to share emerging thinking, international experience and early insights relevant to utilities preparing for PRW implementation.
The session is led by the AWA Water Recycling Specialist Network and the Industrial & Trade Waste Specialist Network, with WaterRA playing a key role in proposing and supporting the development of the session.
The expert panel includes:
- Andrew Salveson (Carollo Engineers, USA): The need for source control for PRW and lessons learned from California, including why existing wastewater source control approaches are inadequate
- Lydia Holmes (Carollo Engineers, USA): A proposed source control framework for Australia and the challenges of adapting current systems to PRW
- Sydney Water: A practical case study on applying source control management, including cost considerations
- Nanda Altavilla (NSW DPIE): Regulatory, guideline and asset ownership challenges associated with PRW schemes
Presentation details
Name: Paper 212
Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Time: 2:20 pm
Location: Room M1
Celebrating Emerging Researchers and Student Excellence
WaterRA is proud to support the next generation of water sector leaders through its Research Leadership Program (RLP) and student engagement initiatives at Ozwater’26.
RLP PhD candidates Kaili Li and Thi Hai Duong Ninh will both present their research and compete for the prestigious National Student Water Prize:
- Kaili Li, University of Queensland: Understanding and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Systems in the Data Era
- Thi Hai Duong Ninh, University of Adelaide: Proactive Detection of Wastewater Overflows in Smart Wastewater Systems
In addition, RLP student Rehan Mendis has been accepted to present at the Ozwater’26 Student Research Showcase, with his work titled Optimised Placement of Vibration Sensors in Urban Water Networks.
Build Capability through the Australian Water School in Exhibition Hall
The Australian Water School will be on the ground at Ozwater’26 — and we’d love to see you at the stand.
As the training arm of Water Research Australia, AWS specialise in practical, industry‑led training that helps water professionals build real skills, fast. From live and on‑demand courses to webinars and tailored training for organisations, AWS connects the sector with leading experts and applied learning across water science, technology and management.
You’ll find AWS in the Education Area of Exhibition Hall next to AWA registration area. The team will be there across all three days to talk through your technical training needs, upcoming courses, and how AWS can help you or your team stay ahead in a fast‑changing sector.
If training, capability building and practical learning are on your agenda, make the Australian Water School stand a must‑visit at Ozwater’26.
We look forward to connecting with you at Ozwater’26 and showcasing the strength of collaboration, research and innovation across the WaterRA network.