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P a g e 1
Summer 2016
Diary SA Branch Calendar
Please check our website for updates and to register for events, and look out for emails sent to Branch members.
Friday 18 March
Industry and Students Careers Networking
UniSA Mawson Lakes Campus, 3.00-5.00pm
Tuesday 22 March World Water Day
Tour of Bolivar WWTP upgrades, 2.00-6.30pm
Wednesday 20 April
YWP Mentoring Breakfast
Time and location TBA
Thursday 28 April
AWA-WIA South Australian Water Policy Dialogue
All day event location TBA
Welcome to the summer edition of Waterworks for 2016. It is with great pleasure that the South Australian
branch committee of the Australian Water Association can bring you another year of fun, thought-provoking
and relevant events, industry discussion and member information.
Waterworks this year will of course report on all of our industry events held in SA. In this edition you will
find out more about the new Royal Adelaide Hospital from our Young Water Professionals who were
recently treated to a site tour, and be reminded of all of the amazing water work that happened over the
last 12 months with a wrap up of our 2015 water awards.
Waterworks this year will also bring you inspiring and insightful stories from some of South Australia’s
great leaders. In the start of this leadership series we talk about staying relevant.
Waterworks will also bring you information about emerging water industry policy and topics of interest.
The Australian Water Association gratefully acknowledges the support of our many generous sponsors. In
this issue we recognise SA Water and Trility for their contribution to the South Australian branch.
We look forward to sharing 2016 with you.
Alex and Katharine
Australian Water Association SA Branch:
Kerrie Akkermans
SA Branch Manager
Australian Water Association
Tel: 0439 893 304
Email: [email protected]
c/- Tonkin Consulting
2/66 Rundle Street
Kent Town SA 5034
www.awa.asn.au
Please send contributions to Waterworks
SA to:
Alex Donald
0417 832 728
Katharine Ward
0400 972 341
or to our Branch Manager
Contact details…as above
P a g e 2
Annual AWA South Australian Water Awards Gala Dinner held in the National Wine Centre
South Australian Annual Water Awards 2015
The annual AWA South Australian Water Awards Gala Dinner was held in the National Wine Centre
on the 20th of November 2015. The theme for the night was Rock 'n' Roll.
The AWA South Australian Water Awards were established in 1996 to
recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions related to water in SA.
The aim of the AWA Awards Program is to firstly provide recognition and
celebration of excellence of achievement and innovation in the SA water
industry and secondly to raise the profile of the South Australian water
industry, the AWA and of the importance of the varied roles played by all
those working in the sector. We were pleased to welcome the Hon. Ian
Hunter, Minister for Water and the River Murray both as a guest and to
present various awards, including the prestigious Premier’s Water Medal.
The award winners will have the opportunity to be considered for the
national awards to be announced at OzWater, which will be held in
Melbourne in May 2016.
P a g e 3
South Australian Annual Water Awards 2015
Young Water Professional
of the Year Award
Winner: Michael Webber
SA Water
SA Premier's Water Medal
Winner: Marc Fabig, Osmoflo
(accepted by Annie Fabig)
Postgraduate Prize
Winner: Kelly Hill (University of
South Australia) for the project:
The development of low-
clogging permeable pavements:
A laboratory study into the
mechanisms of sediment
accumulation
Research Innovation Award
Winner: Ben Van den Akker
(SA Water) for the project:
More from less: the development
of granular sludge to increase the
capacity of Sequencing Batch
Reactors used in wastewater
treatment
Undergraduate Water Prize, the Hodgson Medal
Winners: Rebecca van der Pennen, Cameron McPhail,
Bonnie Heidrich and Sean Vial (University of Adelaide)
for their project: Optimisation of Water Sensitive Urban
Design Practices using Evolutionary Algorithms
Infrastructure Innovation Award
Winners: Tonkin Consulting and Leed Engineering
for the Capelli Road Sewer Pump Station project
Program Innovation Award Winner: Allwater for the Allwater Energy Management Program
High Commendation: Trility for Victor Harbor
Mixed Liquor Screening project
P a g e 4
Leadership Series: Staying relevant
In the first of our new leadership series Waterworks co-editor
Katharine Ward speaks with Andy Roberts, CEO, Water Industry
Alliance, about leadership and how he ensures the organisation he
leads stays relevant to its members.
What is the Water Industry Alliance?
The Water Industry Alliance is a not-for-profit membership organisation
established to support the South Australian water industry with a focus on
business outcomes.
We were established in 1998 following extensive research into the best
industry models for collaboration.
Who are your members?
Our members span the entire water sector, including: utilities; councils; South Australian
government departments; consultants specialising in engineering, law and finance; service
providers; construction companies; manufacturers; and retailers.
Broadly speaking what does the Water Industry Alliance do?
Our mission is to facilitate the growth of the South Australian water industry in business, research
and education by: informing and connecting members; promoting member and industry successes;
liaising with and informing government; and providing frameworks to facilitate entry to new markets.
We are probably best known for our regular member nights and our awards event, which has been
celebrating and promoting the successes of South Australian water businesses for 13 years.
How long have you been CEO?
I became CEO in August 2011, so have been in the position for 4 and a half years now.
How would you describe your leadership style?
In industry leadership, I like to think that I do more work behind the scenes and let my results speak
for themselves. I have always felt that the Water Industry Alliance has to continually prove its worth,
earn the respect of its members, and has no entitlement to any particular profile or influence beyond
what it has earned from results.
You need to have something worth saying to expect people to listen to you.
As a leader of a small team of staff, I aim to be more of a coach and try to empower each member
of the team to continue to learn and grow. It of course helps that I already have a great team.
As a leader, how do you ensure that the alliance stays relevant to and for your members?
We have one main measurement - how do our members benefit from what we do.
P a g e 5
As a not-for-profit membership organisation, it is not about our staff but about our members. Our
members are ‘the alliance’. We need to continually ensure that we are aiming to deliver benefits to
our members first and only take money from them if necessary, as that is actually contrary to our
goals to help them grow.
I personally meet with many of our members each year and know the majority of the key contacts.
Communication in person is crucial.
Under my leadership I have also built a team of staff who are very experienced in the water industry
(half of them have more than 10 years of industry experience). This helps us to know the ups and
downs and the subtleties of how the industry works.
Do you see yourself and the alliance as an advocate (or something else) for your members?
The WIA does advocate on behalf of our members, but behind closed doors and as a trusted
advisor. We regularly meet with policy makers, politicians and other influential people in industry and
point out the range of concerns we know our members have. We can only afford this because we do
not take public positions and more importantly do not grandstand in the media. It is about
relationships and trust and it is critical to maintain these with integrity. If a decision is made that we
don’t like, usually we have had our input and it has been considered. Complaining after the fact is
very unlikely to change that decision, but is very likely to damage that relationship and prevent being
able to influence in the future.
What are some of the big challenges you face as CEO of the Water
Industry Alliance?
We have 150 members, they cover a broad spectrum of the sector and
span throughout the entire value chain, from manufacturing to end client.
Ensuring that we provide benefits to this range of members is a real
challenge. I have to be careful not to misrepresent these members,
because with such a large cross-section there is very seldom any single
point of view.
Waterworks would like to thank Andy for sharing his leadership experience.
In the next edition of Waterworks we look forward to hearing from Sandy Pitcher, Chief Executive,
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
P a g e 6
Sustainability in the Willunga Basin Region
Young (and young at heart), South Australian water professionals,
converged on the SA Water Learning Centre in December 2015
for the last AWA event of the year, Sustainability in the Willunga
Basin Region. Hosted by the South Australian Young Water
Professionals (SA YWPs), the event aimed to bring together water
professionals from across the industry to farewell 2015, and to highlight
the rising importance of recycled water in agriculture, particularly in the
Maclaren Vale wine region.
Rudi Regel, Recycled Water Specialist at SA Water, was the first
speaker of the night and highlighted the complex challenges of operating a wastewater treatment
plant in conjunction with a recycled water irrigation scheme. Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment
Plant (WWTP) is responsible for producing recycled water for the Maclaren Vale wine region. In
doing so, it must comply with strict health-based targets for pathogen removal to ensure the water is
safe for agribusiness. The plant is required to assist in meeting demand from irrigators, however
demand is greatly dependent on climate patterns and the weather. In times of low irrigation demand,
wastewater treatment plant effluent is discharged into the Gulf of St Vincent. However, there are
limits on the nitrogen load able to be discharged into the gulf. All of this must be balanced against
energy consumption. Indeed, operating Christies Beach WWTP is a “vat” of challenges!
Craig Heidenreich, General Manager of Willunga Basin Water (WBW), discussed the important role
of WBW in state development. The Maclaren Vale grape growing region is a significant economic
region for South Australia generating upwards of $500 million of revenue in wine sales and tourism
per year. In accordance with its pillars of reliability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness, WBW
provides recycled water from Christies Beach WWTP for grape vine irrigation. Groundwater
reserves in the region are increasing in salinity and are insufficient to keep up with irrigation
demand. Christies Beach WWTP can provide recycled water of consistent quality throughout the
whole year. To better serve the Maclaren Vale grape growing region, and its increasing demand for
irrigation water, WBW has recently expanded its distribution network, and has also produced a
clever new contract model which allows its customers to use water in the off peak season without
risk of penalties.
Paddy Atkinson, Wastewater and Reuse Manager at Allwater,
closed the night with a discussion of wastewater reuse from a
global perspective. Wastewater reuse is not a new thing with
more than 2,000 wastewater reuse plants in operation
worldwide and 1/10th of the world’s population consuming
produce from crops irrigated with recycled water. As droughts
become more frequent and sustained, wastewater reuse plays
an ever increasing role in establishing food security, particularly
in developing countries. It was also interesting to learn that
P a g e 7
applications for recycled water are not limited to agriculture. Recycled water has a myriad of uses
from groundwater replenishment to snowmaking! Paddy concluded his presentation with a
discussion of the challenges for sustainable growth of wastewater reuse. There is a need for
streamlining of policy around wastewater reuse, and improvement of its perception by the public.
Efforts to improve efficiency, reliability and water quality must continue, as must efforts to establish
appropriate recycled water pricing.
Attendees were treated to a selection of wines donated by WBW customers, Hugo wines and
Paxton. Needless to say, the wines were exceptional, with not a whiff of wastewater detected! The
SA YWP Committee would like to thank the event sponsors Itron, Willunga Basin Water, Water
Utilities Group, SA Water and Allwater for their support of this event, and the speakers, Rudi Regel,
Craig Heidenreich, and Paddy Atkinson, for an informative and entertaining evening.
AWA Young Water Professionals visit new RAH
A small group of AWA Young
Water Professionals gather in
one of those ubiquitous
construction site transportable
offices. After a short safety
briefing we’re escorted toward the
new Royal Adelaide Hospital,
third most expensive building in
the world (Reference).
Before entering the hospital we
stop at a collection of tanks and a
pump station. We’re water professionals so pumps aren’t too exciting until we hear that this fully
commissioned pump station is for firefighting and is capable of servicing the whole hospital or
running the deluge system for a twin helicopter landing pad. We learn that this is the western
firefighting pump station and it’s duplicated, like most of the services we’re about to visit.
We are led into the bowels of the new hospital. We see the western water chiller room and western
diesel generator room, again these are duplicated. The chiller room cools water and feeds a ring
main for the air conditioning systems. The diesel generator is capable of supplying the hospital with
power and can restore power in 3 seconds of a failure.
We see one of five internal water 0.42 ML water tanks, the hospital uses recycled water for toilet
flushing, most of the hospital draws potable water and for medical purposes some of this is further
P a g e 8
treated by filtration and reverse osmosis. Rainwater is also harvested from the site and collected.
We learn that 40 people took 40 hours to commission the potable plumbing through the building just
like a new water main.
The building transforms from the concrete corridors of the facilities areas to something that we
recognise as a hospital, almost complete with floor coverings, doors, signage, wall paper, fresh paint
and furnishings. As the tour progresses we recognise a hospital but it’s also different, everywhere
we go we see gardens, nature and bright natural light that isn’t usually associated with a big
hospital.
Our first look at the futuristic technology in the hospital comes after passing through a security check
point when we stop at a robot charging station. The new RAH has a fleet of automated guided
vehicles (AGVs) which take care of logistics in the building. AGVs will be able to transport bulk
items, up to 500kg at a time through the hospital unaided and safely avoiding people, each other
and any other obstacles. We tracked down a video of some of these AGVs for your information
available on YouTube here.
We learn about the earthquake protection which allows the building to move like an accordion, we
learn about the cogeneration power plant providing electricity to the building and heat for the hot
water system, currently the cogeneration plant is running and powering part of Adelaide as the
hospital isn’t yet operational. As we leave the site we look at the building receiving it’s finishing
touches with a new understanding, perhaps second to the phenomenal amount of technology and
self-sufficiency we’ve seen we realise we’ve walked what felt like kilometres through a giant long,
wide 10 story building and are surprised that the building fits in so well with the landscape and our
transforming city.
We thank our tour guides, HYLC Joint Venture, our guests, the YWP committee and the AWA and
look forward to upcoming YWP events and tours!
P a g e 9
The AWA YWP SA Division Mentoring Program
Thanks to the valuable feedback from participants in last year’s mentoring program, the SA YWP
Committee has been hard at work over summer reviewing and redesigning the SA Mentoring
program. Our new mentoring program now offers one year of structured mentoring for mentees of all
ages and experience.
As a mentee in the program you can expect:
To be matched with a suitable mentor from the water industry
An introductory meeting with a facilitator and your mentor
Regular mentoring sessions as agreed with your mentor
Two facilitated mentoring events for all program participants
A monthly program email containing news and a mentoring discussion topic to help you make
the most of your partnership
Access to the AWA Mentoring program portal
The AWA mentoring program is open to all AWA members interested in developing themselves
through having a mentor for just a $25 administration fee!
Have you considered being a mentor?
Being a Mentor is a great way to develop your interpersonal and teaching skills and support our
future water professionals! The mentoring program is looking for nominations from potential mentors
from across the Water Industry. You must have at least five years of employment experience,
previous involvement in a mentoring relationship, either as a mentor or mentee is desirable.
Nominating to be a mentor provides you full access to all mentoring events and emails during your
nomination. Nominations are for a period of two years or until the end of a mentoring partnership,
whichever is earlier. At the end of your nomination, you are eligible to re-nominate as a mentor.
Nominating to be a mentor as part of the program is free, however once you have been matched
with a mentee, it is expected that you will attend mentoring events and make yourself available for
regular meetings and other communication as agreed with your mentee.
If you would like to join the program, or simply want more information about the program, please
contact the SA Branch Manager, Kerrie Akkermans at [email protected].
P a g e 10
Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015
Dr Clive Jenkins
A/Principal Scientific Officer (Water Chemistry), EPA
The new Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 (the Policy) is the result of an
extensive review of the previous Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003 and other
legislation and policies used in relation to the regulation and management of South Australia’s water
quality.
This new Policy provides a mechanism for ensuring that all activities, irrespective of scale of
operation and whether or not an activity is subject to licensing under the Act, operate under uniform
conditions regarding water quality in South Australia.
There are significant changes in the new Policy, which introduces the most specific and detailed
protection of South Australia’s surface, marine and underground water sources in South Australia.
New regulations will establish obligations for industry and the community to manage and control
different forms of pollution into our waterways, and provide the power to set discharge limits for
particular activities.
The Policy focusses on pollution prevention, by placing an onus on industry and business to take
steps to avoid potential environmental harm.
The key policy change regards the previous (2003) clause 13 which established an offence where a
person discharges or deposits a pollutant into any waters, and causes an exceedance of water
quality criteria (Schedule 2). This previous mandatory requirement was changed to a general duty
(2015 Policy Clause 9), which requires a person who discharges a pollutant into waters to take ‘all
reasonable and practicable measures’ to ensure that ‘any of the national water quality guidelines
applicable to those waters are met’. This obligation has no offence provision, but it can be enforced
where necessary by the issuing of an environment protection order. The new approach allows the
EPA to treat every matter on the basis of its potential environmental impacts and the extent to which
the discharges can be reduced to eliminate any impact. The ‘reasonable and practicable test’ will be
determined by what can be expected of the industry in the context of the receiving environment
sensitivity.
The full Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 and detailed Explanatory Report can be
found at the following website.
(http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/data_and_publications/standards_and_laws/revision_of_national_guidelines)
P a g e 11
Martin Bowens
Qualifications
FCA, BSc (Hons)
Current Employer
Ernst & Young
Current Position
Director
Describe a typical workday
I work on international as well
as local projects so, when in
Adelaide, the day can start
with calls from 6.30am, and when I am overseas the days
regularly end with calls at 8pm. My role is as much Business
Development as Project Delivery so I do get to meet a wide
range of senior client stakeholders which always interests me.
Do you have children?
Yes, 4 under the age of 11
How do you maintain balance between your work and personal life?
Friday afternoon to Sunday night are sacred - I try to spend
as much time as possible with family.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor
What is your dream job?
What, there is an alternative? I still think being a doctor
would be cool.
Career path
Next target is Partner….
Career highlight(s)
Moving to Adelaide 3 years ago!
What's the most unusual thing that's happened to you at work?
I travelled into London on the morning of the Underground
Bombings – mass confusion followed by an eerily empty
London
What is the most important factor for success?
Patience and understanding your true abilities
What are important qualities of a good manager?
Consider others – you need to remember everyone is busy
What changes or trends are happening in the water industry?
Data analytics driving big changes in operating environment,
asset management and real time decision making
Rugby, AFL or soccer?
Rugby (Union)
Hobbies past or present?
Currently, house renovation as a need, not an option
Before children I used to Windsurf a lot, but children and the
shark sightings in Henley Beach have stopped that….
What’s in your music player currently?
James Blunt and Ed Sheeran are probably my favourites
just now
Who do you admire?
Richard Branson
What would your dream holiday be?
Somewhere with water (for water sports), no sharks and no
mobile reception. Remote as possible.
What was your first job?
Lifeguard at my local swimming pool
If you could invite four people to dinner who would they be?
Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Larry Ellison
What was a defining moment in your life?
I’ve had a few, to pick one is hard, but probably having our first
child, that was a reality check on what is important in my life
What advice would you give to a young person just starting out in our industry?
Be patient, be positive, be aware of your strengths and
weaknesses and treat every opportunity as an opportunity,
not a chore.
Meet the AWA SA Committee
P a g e 12
Alex Donald
Qualifications
BSc (UNSW) Master of
Environmental Management
(UNE)
Current Employer
SA Water
Current Position
Manager Environmental
Regulation and Sustainability
Describe a typical workday
I’m generally office bound, attending meetings, planning and
developing strategies and actions to improve the
environmental performance of SA Water. I also spend time
in the field around Adelaide and regionally.
Do you have children?
Yes, Tom aged 17 and Phoebe 16
How do you maintain balance between your work and personal life?
Schedule holidays and personal activities well in advance.
This allows me to organise work around that and have
things to look forward to.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut of course.
Career path
Started career working at Australian Water Technologies,
water quality consulting, then NSW EPA. Spent 5 years
working in Northern Territory Power and Water Corporation
and now at SA Water where I have been for the past 7
years….
Career highlight(s)
Providing water and sewerage services to remote
communities in the NT. Making a tangible difference to
people’s lives.
What's the most unusual thing that's happened to you at work?
Rescuing a kangaroo stuck in a waste stabilisation pond.
What is the most important factor for success?
Having passion for what you do, recognising the capabilities
of others and harnessing this to achieve common goals.
What are the important qualities required to be a good manager?
Listening, empathy, and recognising and developing the
potential of others.
What changes or trends are happening in the water industry?
The continuing and rapid emergence of digital technology is
having a huge effect on the way urban utilities interact
with customers, and how they do business.
What can’t you do without?
My pushbike.
Rugby, AFL or soccer?
A rugby union and rugby league man (I’m from NSW).
Hobbies past or present?
A keen bushwalker. Used to enjoy wind surfing and
surfing when living in Sydney.
What’s in your music player currently?
David Bowie lately.
Do you have any other Volunteer roles?
AWA Sustainability Specialist Network.
What is your favourite film?
No favourite, but I recently enjoyed ‘Room’. It opens your
eyes to the vast differences in human nature. morals and
modern society.
Who do you admire?
Fred Hollows for his efforts in addressing a significant health
issue amongst Aboriginal Australians and those in the third
world.
What would your dream holiday be?
A trip to Antarctica
What was your first job?
Delivering early morning newspapers, paid $10 a week
What was a defining moment in your life?
Marriage. It set me on a wonderful life journey.
What advice would you give to a young person just starting out in our industry?
Look for a broad variety of experiences and build your
network. These things lay the foundation for a satisfying and
successful career.