Leaders from the biggest companies in the Australian water sector are supporting WaterAid Australia’s Walk for Water 2021, including SA Water and Sydney Water.
Each year during the third week of October, WaterAid Australia runs Walk for Water, a unique event that asks participants to walk, run or ride for just one hour a day for five days from 18-22 October, while raising awareness and funds for WaterAid.
This year, ‘Water Leaders’ from across the Australian Water Sector have taken on the challenge, to support WaterAid’s vital water, sanitation and hygiene projects.
Sydney Water Managing Director, Roch Cheroux, is just one of the Water Leaders who said he is taking part to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water around the world.
“As Australia’s largest water utility, Sydney Water is proud to do its part to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water around the world,” Mr Cheroux said.
“We have a long track record in supporting WaterAid and I’m looking forward to getting out and about to support this great cause.”
Louise Adams, Chief Operating Officer of Aurecon, has also taken on the challenge this year.
“As engineers, designers and advisors, we at Aurecon play a vital role in providing communities with essential services,” Ms Adams said.
“Living in our major Australian cities, we take many of these services, such as clean access to drinking water, for granted. We want to get behind Walk for Water so that together we can create change where it’s needed most.”
Joining the Water Leaders, Yarra Valley Water’s Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, is taking the pledge to walk, run or ride for water this year.
“We have a fundamental role in ensuring the United Nations Human Right to safe, affordable water and sanitation is a reality for the community we serve. But we know that for so many other communities this is not a reality,” Mr McCafferty said.
“Taking part in this challenge not only reminds us of the importance of our work, but also extends our impact to make a positive difference in communities less fortunate than ours.”
Partnership with the private sector is at the core of WaterAid’s operations; as the organisation was established by the water industry in 2004.
WaterAid Australia’s Chief Executive, Rosie Wheen, said that having so many incredible leaders from across the water sector taking part this year will make Walk for Water 2021 the best yet.
“We are thrilled that so many amazing leaders across the water sector have decided to take up the challenge to walk, run or ride for one hour a day across the five days of the event,” Ms Wheen said.
“The support for WaterAid is fantastic and we know with so many organisations on board, there’s sure to be some friendly competition all in the name of raising funds and awareness of our important work.”
Pride in Water’s Jacquie Moon and Brendan Moore have also pledged to be Water Leader’s this year, stating, “Our passion is to drive the water industry into a space where LGBTIQ+ employees and customers feel safe, included and valued, and ready to help extend that right to the broader international community as well.
“We hope that by joining Walk for Water we can be part of raising awareness of the impact of accessing clean water, sanitation, and removing barriers for members of the LGBTIQ+ community throughout the world to access these fundamental human Rights.”
To get involved with Walk for Water 2021, visit: https://fundraise.wateraid.org.au/event/walkforwater-2021/home.
