Partnership with US research organisations

The Australian urban water industry has entered a partnership with US drinking water and wastewater research bodies to cooperatively fund water-related research projects and share knowledge and outcomes.

The agreements between the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and both the Water Research Foundation and the Water Environment Research Foundation were developed so the three organisations can work together to collectively undertake research on the challenging issues confronting urban and industry suppliers and consumers.

The Executive Director of the WSAA, Ross Young, said the need for collaborative international research arrangements has never been greater given that major challenges confronting the urban water industry worldwide transcend both national and continental boundaries.

“These challenges include climate change, improving energy efficiency, sustainability and protection of drinking water quality,” Young said.

“Only with global collaboration can the water industry address these challenges.

"Climate change and growing populations already impact on all aspects of urban water management in Australia, New Zealand and the US. Pooling resources is essential to ensure adequate resources are devoted to high-priority research areas and that research bodies cooperate to end duplication.

“No one organisation has the resources to undertake the research required. The arrangement we have entered into will ensure the maximum leverage of the Australian investment in this critically important research area,” Young said.

“Although individual Australian utilities have often been subscribers to both foundations, this is the first time our urban water industry as a single entity has subscribed to both bodies.

“Research areas covered in the partnership agreement include asset management, protecting catchments and drinking water quality, minimising greenhouse gas emissions, climate change impacts, adaptation to climate change and operating in a carbon-constrained world.

"This is an exciting time for the Australian urban water industry as together we can fund research cost effectively and find answers rapidly. Australia and New Zealand already have very strong ties with the foundations. This partnership agreement will allow Australian researchers to team up and collaborate with US-based counterparts.

“In the coming months, WSAA and the foundations will conduct planning sessions to write joint research roadmaps. The organisations will also share research, filling in knowledge gaps in their respective organisations. The partners will also fund joint conferences, training sessions and knowledge transfer workshops,” Young said.