Water investment pipeline a boom for industry

The Australian water sector is experiencing an extraordinary rise in investment. So, what does this mean for innovation, affordability, resilience and risk?

Speaking to the Australian Water Association (AWA) in the latest edition of Current magazine, Charlie Jewkes, WSP’s Managing Director of Water, Power & Energy, shared insight into this and more, alongside experts from across the water community.

Addressing increased water demand

Water utilities are unveiling massive capital works programs that extend into the billions of dollars. This substantial funding is aimed at addressing the challenges posed by rapid population growth and the impacts of climate change.

This boom is driven by the urgent need to ensure sustainable water supply and management systems that can cope with future demands. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, the importance of resilient water infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. The investment is not only about expanding capacity but also about upgrading existing systems to be more efficient and adaptable to changing conditions.

Regions that support specific industries are also experiencing increased demand for water, says Charlie Jewkes, WSP’s Managing Director Water, Power & Energy.

“A lot of the hydrogen plays we’re seeing, particularly in South Australia, are increasing water demand,” Jewkes said. “And the cooling demands of things like data centres are also significant. So, in some areas, industrial demand for water is higher than it has been.”

Tapping technology

The water sector has long been comfortable with the concept of change, particularly when it comes to the use of new and pioneering technologies.

That is now revealing itself, Jewkes said, in the broad adoption of AI and machine learning for key operational tasks. Utilities are using these technologies for leak detection and predictive maintenance, enabling early intervention before issues escalate. Water treatment plants are benefiting from optimised operations, allowing them to run above design capacity with the support of advanced forecasting tools.

Meanwhile, automated inspections, whether carried out by robotic vehicles or AI-driven systems, are reducing the need for human entry into confined or hazardous spaces, while also eliminating low-value, monotonous tasks.

AWA is the original publisher of this article. To read the full version, visit www.awa.asn.au

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