SA Water crews have removed numerous car rims and concrete covers in the Edinburgh sewage chamber, which has the potential to cause sewage overflows if not removed. The haul of bizarre objects from Edinburgh’s sewers included five car rims, two rectangular concrete covers, a circular concrete cover, and smaller pieces of broken concrete. SA Water’s Senior Manager of Field Operations, […]
In October 2022, central Victoria was hit with a major flooding event that devastated local communities. Homeowners were forced to evacuate as floodwaters damaged homes, rivers and roads. But amidst unprecedented circumstances, Coliban Water’s unwavering focus on caring for customers, and staff dedication to local communities helped it act quickly to mitigate the damage. Coliban Water Managing Director, Damian Wells, […]
Arc faults are a serious event where a large amount of electrical energy is explosively released causing serious burns and death of operators in the area. Additionally, they can result in significant damage to switchgear, conductors, switchboards and installations. Here we look at how new electrical safety technology can prevent disaster and protect personnel from hazardous consequences. The most likely […]
It’s easy to imagine that a stuck or very difficult valve is the primary reason for purchasing such a tool. However, this is not necessarily the best reason to use a portable valve actuator. Here we discuss the key considerations to take into account when choosing a torque limiter. Too much torque can cause serious damage to the valve, and […]
Accurate utility location is vital for many types of construction and development projects, as well as for routine maintenance and repair of utilities. Failure to locate and properly mark utilities can result in damage, costly repairs, service disruptions, and potential safety hazards. That’s why utilities and local governments are looking for solutions that can help them get the job done […]
Two crucial concepts that often emerge in conversations around scalable digital transformation are proof of concept (PoC) and proof of value (PoV). Here, we take a look at the differences between each term and what they mean for your digital transformation journey. These terms may sound interchangeable, but they carry distinct implications, especially in critical operational environments where risk mitigation, […]
If not located correctly, underground utilities are at risk of being damaged during the installation or construction of new assets, which can have devastating consequences. A New Zealand-based utility locating company has uncovered a solution using the digital visualisation technology. When construction or new asset installation impacts underground utilities such as gas, water or power mains, the consequences can be […]
Construction for the South Coast and Southern Highlands sewerage service upgrades have commenced, after the New South Wales Government granted $9.6 million in funding. The investment from the New South Wales Government includes $3 million to link 57 houses in Akolele to the Bermagui Sewage Treatment Plant, co-funded by the State Government and Eurobodalla Shire Council, and $6.6 million to […]
Coined as the ‘Sunburnt Country’, Australia is a continent where water scarcity and quality closely intertwine with environmental challenges. However, a dedicated legion of professionals stand sentinel on the frontlines of water, wastewater, and desalination treatment plants. These unsung heroes work round-the-clock to secure one of earth’s most precious resources – water. Their efforts, often hidden from the public eye, […]
United Energy has been ordered to pay $93,200 in fines and court costs after it was convicted of failing to properly maintain vegetation clearance around powerlines in south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Energy Safe Victoria, the safety regulator for the state, brought 24 charges to the hearing, following inspections by compliance officers during 2021 and 2022. Energy Safe Victoria […]
Central Coast Council has awarded a contract for Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant’s odour facilities, marking another step towards the $35 million upgrade for the sewerage treatment plan This contract for the design and construction of a new inlet works Odour Control Facility and the full refurbishment of the Primary Sedimentation Tanks Odour Control Facility has been awarded to Gongues […]
A closure to the Adelaide rail corridor has allowed SA Water to conduct a refurbishment to two sewer network access chambers located under the Keswick Bridge. The upgrades are part of SA Water’s ongoing rehabilitation program, which helps to ensure reliable sewer service. Concrete access chambers sit on top of sewer mains to provide operational teams access inside the pipes […]
Transgrid has carried out safety management procedures such as helicopter inspections, thermographic surveying and network maintenance over thousands of kilometres to help prevent bushfires within New South Wales. As part of the program, Transgrid performed helicopter inspections, aerial imagery, 3D laser scanning, thermographic surveying, vegetation management and network maintenance to help local communities prepare for the upcoming summer. Transgrid’s 2023 […]
The Federal and Northern Territory Governments are investing millions into helping deliver essential services such as access to clean drinking water and reliable power to remote communities. A $17.5 million investment made by the Federal Government, with $9.1 million from the Northern Territory will see two critical projects built in two remote communities across the territory whilst $92.8 million is […]
Monitoring water networks for leaks is an essential part of any modern water loss management program. In Australia, monitoring water networks for leaks is becoming increasingly important as the country faces growing demand for water resources and the need to manage the impacts of climate change. A key obstacle to the wider adoption of monitoring technologies was their installation, operation […]
NBN Co is taking action to address the inherent risks climate change poses to its operations, network continuity and service obligations. By embedding sustainability in all its activities, it aims to deliver on its purpose to lift the digital capability of Australia, while enabling long-term social, economic and environmental value for all stakeholders. The company has committed to a target […]
New figures, released by SA Water, indicate a significant decrease in 2022 of sewer blockages caused by unflushable objects in South Australia. A group of unflushable objects, led by wet wipes, cooking fats and oils, and even weird and problematic items such as superhero costumes, were responsible for 1,746 blockages over a six-month period in 2021 – during the same […]
Jemena and Zinfra have released their 2022 Sustainability Report: A Year of Evolution along with a new online Sustainability Hub. The report highlights steps taken by Jemena and its sister company Zinfra – both part of the SGSPAA Group – to deliver the Group’s Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Plan throughout 2022. The Group ESG Plan captures activities under way […]
Unitywater is trialling an oyster reef restoration project, for the first time in Australia, to determine the effectiveness of oysters in filtering nutrients in waterways and to assist Unitywater in achieving its net zero sustainability goals. The restoration project – in partnership with the University of Sunshine Coast, Healthy Land and Water, and OzFish Unlimited – will explore the effectiveness […]
The Federal Government has released its new Gas Code – a mandatory code of conduct that proposes to establish a price anchor, or mechanism to drag gas prices down – for final consultation from stakeholders. Following significant consultation with gas producers and users since the beginning of 2023, the Gas Code improves upon the approach to implementing reasonable pricing outlined […]
The latest Clean Energy Australia Report shows that rooftop solar continues to be a significant contributor to Australia’s renewable energy sector – accounting for 25.8 per cent of total renewable energy generation in 2022. The report also indicates that 310,000 new rooftop solar systems, with a total capacity of 2.7GW, were added to the grid in 2022, and more than […]
The Australian Federal Government has officially submitted its annual National Inventory Report to the United Nations (UN), covering emissions estimates from 1990 to 2021 and providing in-depth information on how Australia measures and reports its emissions. This report is the first in the world to meet the emissions reporting requirements of the Paris Agreement. For Australia to attract crucial investment […]
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has invited Griffith City Council to participate in a two-month pilot Network Leak Detection Program. As part of the pilot program, specialist water network leak detection contractors will undertake on-the-ground surveying to identify water leaks in the Griffith Local Government Area (LGA) from 11 April 2023 for a period of […]
SA Water is inviting South Australians to participate in the planning of Adelaide’s water future strategy for the next five decades, through its Resilient Water Futures initiative. The Resilient Water Futures initiative will develop a comprehensive urban water strategy outlining the state’s vision for a sustainable, climate-resilient approach to Adelaide’s water management. Launched late March 2023, the Resilient Water Futures […]
The 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report details the water quality management system for the 91 locations Power and Water services across the Northern Territory, recognizing Power and Water’s commitment to providing safe, sustainable, and secure drinking water to all Territorians. The annual report provides details about water quality management, including progress on delivering improvements to drinking water quality. Over the […]
SA Water is trailing the use of drones as a safer and more effective way of taking water samples, particularly from hard to access locations like some parts of the River Murray, to ensure safe, clean drinking water is provided across South Australia. Water sampling is part of the utility’s ongoing, comprehensive water quality monitoring program, with more than 117,000 […]
The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) is organising an annual competition to determine the best tasting tap water in South Australia. This year’s competition will be held in-person at the Murray Bridge Racing Club on 1 March, 2023, after being limited to online events due to COVID-19 restrictions in recent years. From reservoirs to rivers, South Australia’s drinking […]
24 charges have been laid against United Energy for allowing trees to grow too close to powerlines in high bushfire risk areas. Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electric shock and power outages, which can lead to property damage and, in serious cases, injury and death. Major electricity companies are required to keep trees and vegetation at […]
Water treatment sludge could be used to prevent 117,000km of sewer pipes in Australia from cracking in future, without any intervention by humans, helping to save $1.4 billion in annual maintenance costs. A world-first project led by University of South Australia sustainable engineering expert, Professor Yan Zhuge, is trialling a novel solution to halt unprecedented levels of corrosion in the […]
Transgrid has undertaken extensive aerial inspections along 13,000km of transmission lines In preparation for bushfire season, and to ensure its adherence to fire mitigation measures. Transgrid conducted its bushfire safety program from February to November 2022 to ensure safe vegetation clearance and the condition of transmission assets. The assessments, which included 3D laser scanning, aerial imagery analysis, and helicopter inspections, […]
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