Severe weather events are here to stay, and to keep vital water assets safe the sector needs a proactive, data-driven approach to water management.
Severe storms, flood events, and the impacts of climate change have exposed vulnerabilities in our water infrastructure. Combined with ageing assets, regulatory challenges, and growing demand for sustainable water management, the sector is now at a critical crossroad.
The stakes are high, and utilities need effective and forward-thinking solutions to navigate current challenges, enhance operational resilience and future-proof their systems for a sustainable future.
A new era of resilient water management
As we’ve seen with the recent floods in Queensland and coastal storm surges along the east coast, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are on the rise.
Water utilities are under increasing pressure to adapt and manage these extreme events. Traditional methods of water management – often relying on outdated systems and periodic manual checks – are no longer sufficient. The sector needs a proactive, data-driven approach.
This is where imagery and remote sensing technologies come into play. By adopting solutions like geospatial intelligence and satellite-based monitoring, utilities can access critical insights that allow for real-time situational awareness, predictive analytics, and more efficient resource allocation. These technologies provide utilities with the ability to identify issues before they escalate, ensuring that preventive measures are put in place before a full-blown crisis emerges.
The challenges facing Australia’s water utilities are immense, but by embracing the power of imagery and remote sensing, the sector can unlock new levels of resilience and sustainability. These technologies provide the tools to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate, ensuring that future generations have access to reliable, clean water.
Mitigating the impact of flooding and stormwater overflows
Flooding is one of the most significant and persistent threats to water utilities across Australia.
Beyond damaging infrastructure, floods can trigger stormwater overflows, compromising water quality and causing widespread disruption. Technologies like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar) (SAR) have proven indispensable for monitoring and managing flood risks. These tools enable utilities to:
- Monitor flood-prone areas in real-time using satellite imagery and predictive models, which helps anticipate water movement and identify potential breaches
- Assess stormwater infrastructure performance by identifying blockages or weaknesses in drainage systems before they lead to overflows
- Deploy rapid-response teams to critical areas, minimising the impact on communities and enabling quick recovery
These technologies were instrumental during the 2022 and 2023 east coast floods, when utilities used satellite derived imagery to map flood extents, identify at-risk assets, and prioritise emergency response efforts.
During the 2022 New South Wales floods, DCS Spatial Services captured aerial imagery to support government response efforts.
In 2023, Energy Queensland used real-time flood monitoring to coordinate field crews, enhance public safety, minimise asset damage, and reduce recovery time by prioritising critical areas.
The challenges of ageing infrastructure
Much of Australia’s water infrastructure is ageing, and the risks associated with deteriorating assets are growing. The failure of infrastructure such as pipelines and treatment plants can result in service interruptions, regulatory breaches and costly repairs. Imagery and remote sensing solutions, however, are able to:
- Detect pipeline leaks and failures through advanced thermal and multispectral imaging, preventing costly water loss and reducing repair costs
- Assess structural integrity of dams, reservoirs and treatment plants by identifying signs of wear, corrosion and stress fractures
- Support long-term asset planning by delivering insights that enable utilities to allocate maintenance budgets effectively and schedule upgrades proactively
By adopting these technologies, utilities can extend the life of critical infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs and ensure service continuity.
Enhancing compliance and water quality management
Water utilities are subject to strict regulatory requirements, including compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and the Water Act. Remote sensing technologies play a vital role in helping utilities meet these regulatory requirements by:
- Monitoring water quality in reservoirs, rivers and treatment plants, thereby detecting pollutants, algal blooms and sedimentation changes before they impact water safety.
- Tracking land use changes in catchment areas to ensure agricultural runoff and industrial activities do not compromise drinking water sources
- Providing accurate reporting and audit trails, which offers transparent data that satisfies environmental and government regulators and strengthens public trust
By embracing these technologies, water utilities can meet compliance standards and demonstrate their commitment to environment sustainability providing reliable service and securing long-term public trust.
Building a sustainable future
Looking ahead, the challenges posed by climate change will only grow. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are projected to increase, placing even more pressure on water utilities to safeguard water resources and infrastructure.
In my view, it is essential that water utilities move from reactive to proactive strategies, and one way to achieve this is by leveraging imagery and remote sensing to help utilities:
- Enhance predictive analytics for climate adaptation planning, ensuring future water supply stability
- Optimise water resource allocation to prevent shortages and mitigate drought impacts
- Improve emergency preparedness and response, thereby minimising downtime and service disruptions
With tools like GIS-based asset management and AI-driven analytics, utilities can make smarter, data-backed decisions, protect infrastructure and ensure the long-term viability of Australia’s water systems.
To discover how Esri Australia’s imagery and remote sensing solutions can help your water utility enhance resilience and operational efficiency, visit the website or reach out to Gordon Sumerling – Principal Consultant Imagery at sales@esriaustralia.com.au for expert advice and tailored solutions.
About the Author
Gordon Sumerling is the Principal Consultant for Imagery and Remote Sensing at Esri Australia, a leading provider of GIS technology and geospatial solutions. With more than years of industry experience, Mr Sumerling is an authority in the fields of imagery, remote sensing, LiDAR and drone technologies. Mt Sumerling regularly leverages his experience and in-depth understanding of imagery and GIS technology to help streamline customer workflows, improve value, drive opportunities and implement best practices for imagery related geospatial technology across a variety of industry sectors. Connect with Mr Sumerling via LinkedIn or at sales@esriaustralia.com.au.
