Accolades flow for SA Water at AWA awards

SA Water’s efforts in reservoir revegetation and nation-leading research and development has been recognised by the water industry, claiming a number of top honours at this year’s Australian Water Association South Australia Awards for 2023.

This success included claiming one of the industry’s highest individual accolades, with Senior Manager of Water Expertise, Dr Lionel Ho, awarded the prestigious Premier’s Medal as Water Professional of the Year.

With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Lionel and his team play a pivotal role in maintaining the safe and clean drinking water supplied to SA Water’s 1.8 million customers.

“It is truly an honour and I am humbled to receive this award,” Dr Ho said.

“I am extremely passionate about the water industry and, alongside my fantastic team at SA Water, am looking forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to the water industry and serving our community with pride.”

Among SA Water’s other award successes, the Utility’s Millbrook Reservoir restoration project, which created a thriving grassy woodland habitat at the 15 billion litre capacity reservoir in Adelaide’s Mount Lofty Ranges, was awarded the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro).

SA Water’s General Manager of Science and Strategy Nicola Murphy said the wins are recognition of the tireless efforts to drive better outcomes for customers in water safety and environmental sustainability.

“Revegetation is critical to creating healthy catchments and ecosystems, which underpin our ability to protect water quality and preserve our native flora and fauna for future generations,” Nicola said.

“Through this project, our team used 82 native plant species to turn a 24-hectare site into a thriving grassy woodland habitat including tree and shrub habitat structures. We want to be proactive environmental leaders in South Australia, and this award is a feather in the cap for our team who worked together on this important project.”

SA Water’s third success of the night was a result of collaboration with rubber manufacturers and industry stakeholders to create a new rubber sealing ring that has changed national drinking water standards.

Held each year, the Australian Water Association South Australia Awards recognise the achievements of the South Australian water industry in areas such as innovation, infrastructure and leadership. Each award winner will go on to represent South Australia at the National Australian Water Association Awards to be held as part of Ozwater’24 next year.