Inside Water Magazine

24/08/2026

NSW data centres using water-intensive cooling will be expected to use recycled water or agree on a transition with their utility. New guidelines also cover WUE targets, drought response, smart metering, demand forecasts and agreements that protect existing customers from additional water infrastructure costs.

Australia is moving towards national data centre water use rules to protect potable supplies and ensure developers pay infrastructure costs.

24/08/2026

Water innovation needs a pathway into normal operations. At IWN’s 2026 conference, leaders from North East Water, Barwon Water, Coliban Water, GWMWater and Yarra Valley Water discussed operational buy-in, AI, funding, procurement, partnerships and failure. Their message was practical: understand the risk, involve the people who will use the solution and change the organisation where necessary.



https://insidewater.com.au/water-sector-innovation-leadership/

23/08/2026

International No-Dig 2026 will showcase trenchless technology for the delivery of water and underground infrastructure. With Water New Zealand, Engineering New Zealand : : Te Ao Rangahau, Selwyn Water, McConnell Dowell and TRACTO involved, the event will connect local capability with global expertise.
https://insidewater.com.au/trenchless-technology-auckland/

21/08/2026

A sewer pump station might be out of sight, but it has a major role in supporting a growing suburb. Yarra Valley Water has finished upgrading the Mandalay Sewer Pump Station in Beveridge, adding capacity, installing permanent sewer level sensors, and implementing new operational systems, while using electric bypass pumps to reduce construction noise.

https://insidewater.com.au/beveridge-sewer-upgrade/

21/08/2026

A drier Murray-Darling Basin could mean tougher choices about where environmental water goes. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s 2026-27 plan prioritises drought refuges, native fish, wetlands and river connectivity, with different responses depending on conditions. Dr Simon Banks says the aim is to make every drop count.

https://insidewater.com.au/environmental-water-murray-darling-basin/

21/08/2026

Katherine has a new water plan for the next decade, but the headline is not simply how much water can be used. The plan sets a sustainable annual yield of 39,000 ML, creates a 5 km protection zone around the river, and introduces dry-year rules targeting 87 per cent of predicted natural flow. It also establishes a 3,220 ML Aboriginal water reserve.

https://insidewater.com.au/katherine-water-plan-sets-39-gl-limit-and-dry-year-safeguards/

21/08/2026

Tasmania has put the final section of more than 150 kilometres of Northern Midlands irrigation pipeline into the ground. The $217.96 million scheme will deliver 25.5 billion litres a year. On the same day, the State Government backed stronger climate adaptation, regional engagement, and risk planning in its response to the climate legislation review.
Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland, Gavin Pearce, Guy Barnett

https://insidewater.com.au/tasmania-water-security-irrigation-climate/

20/08/2026

WaterAid’s Ripple fundraiser has grown from a small supplier-led gathering into a sector initiative with real momentum. In 2026, Ripple raised just over $44,000 for WaterAid’s clean water, sanitation and hygiene work. For Andrew Hinchliffe from New Plumbing Solutions, it is also a reminder that sustainable water solutions are not always the most technical. They are the ones communities can maintain.

https://insidewater.com.au/wateraid-fundraiser/

20/08/2026

More homes in Gympie will require more water infrastructure first. More than $66 million has been committed to phase two of the city’s water treatment plant upgrade, covering pumps, rising mains, filters and disinfection systems. Combined with earlier funding, more than $100 million has now been allocated to trunk infrastructure in the region.

https://insidewater.com.au/gympie-water-treatment-plant-upgrade/

20/08/2026

The Murray-Darling Basin’s water watchdog could get stronger investigative powers, but also clearer boundaries. A statutory review backs the Inspector-General’s compliance role while recommending better access to SDL data, preliminary inquiries and clearer audit rules. It also says evaluating policy and environmental outcomes should remain outside the core compliance remit.


https://insidewater.com.au/murray-darling-compliance-review/