Forum promotes new water technologies

Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and Isle Utilities have announced a partnership to deliver the Technology Approval Group (TAG) to Australian water utilities. TAG is an innovation forum designed to accelerate the commercialisation of new water technologies.

29 WSAA member water utilities are participating in TAG, which will give them access to emerging technologies relevant to the Australian water industry. TAG engages end users (the water utilities) and venture capital investors during the pre-commercial stages of technology development.

Adam Lovell, WSAA Executive Director, said, “WSAA believes that innovative technologies will improve business performance and secure efficiency gains in capital and operational budgets for our members.”

The first TAG workshop in Australia was held on 13 February in Sydney. Five pre-commercial technologies were selected to be pitched to the members of the Australian TAG forum. These technologies address critical water industry problems such as the identification and location of leaks and the prevention of sewer corrosion and odours.

Monica Infante, Isle Utilities Director, said, “Our challenge is to identify the right opportunities for the Australian market and work closely with all the necessary stakeholders to get them off the ground as soon as possible.”

The TAG model started in the UK in 2005 and allows technology start-up companies access to the experience of the Australian water utilities, the financial backing of investment specialists and Isle’s technical skills.

Lovell said, “This new forum will benefit both the urban water industry and the start-up companies, who will have unprecedented access to the industry’s major decision makers.”