In recognition of its efforts to drive sustainable action, Yarra Valley Water has received a distinction award in the Public Water Agency of the Year category at the 2025 Global Water Summit.
As one of just four finalists nominated worldwide in the category, the distinction recognises Yarra Valley Water’s positive action to build a more resilient utility and community that goes beyond providing essential services.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said the recognition by international peers was a welcome acknowledgement of the work being done to forge a sustainable water future.
“Recognition at this level is phenomenal and it’s been a huge team effort between staff, stakeholders, our customers and broader community to drive positive, sustainable action to create a brighter future for customers, communities and the environment,” Mr McCafferty said.
“Our long-term strategic planning has recognised the opportunity to go beyond essential service provision and deliver pioneering projects. We’ve championed innovation and sustainability, leading the way with renewable electricity production from food waste to energy facilities and targeting net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions,” he said.
The distinction also recognises Yarra Valley Water’s achievements in replacing more than 10,000t of construction materials with recycled or low carbon options in 2023–24, reimagining treatment plant buffer land to support biodiversity and pioneering a recycled water offset program for construction projects.
The Global Water Awards nomination commended the water corporation’s commitment to prioritising its customers’ needs and said, “By launching the water sector’s first Citizen’s Jury to assess customer expectations, the utility has brought the customer to the forefront of its priorities.”
The Global Water Summit is a leading international business conference for water professionals and recognises groundbreaking achievements in water, wastewater, and desalination that are driving the industry forward and shaping a sustainable water future.
The category of Public Water Agency of the Year is awarded to the governmental agency or public body that made the biggest difference to water and wastewater service provision and utility management in 2024.
Yarra Valley Water was proud to join three other government water providers in the shortlisted nominees:
- Chinese provider Shenzhen Water and Environment Group – category winner – providing water services for mega-cities including Shenzen with 22 million people and using smart and digital technologies to optimise water management
- United States provider JXN – helped rebuild community trust in water services in the city of Jackson, Mississippi
- French provider SIAAP – who embarked on an ambitious program to restore the Seine River’s water quality ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics
