Australia learnt an enormous amount about water efficiency during the Millennium Drought. The question is whether enough of that knowledge has been retained.

The Water Conservancy CEO Chris Philpot joins Chris Edwards to discuss why water efficiency should become a permanent part of supply-demand planning rather than something that returns when drought looms.

They explore water literacy, Smart Drop Certified, Water Night, business water audits and innovations that could help homes and businesses reduce demand.

Philpot also explains the thinking behind Smart Water Connect, the new national forum bringing the water industry together with manufacturers, retailers, irrigation, greenlife and other sectors that influence how Australia uses treated water.

It is a conversation about changing behaviour, rebuilding capability and recognising that sometimes the next source of water is the water we do not need to use in the first place.

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Water and wastewater services depend on thousands of people working behind the scenes, but the challenges they face are rarely confined to a single utility, region or state.

In Episode 5 of Inside Water, Chris Edwards speaks with Dean Barnett, Chief Executive Officer of the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia, about how WIOA is connecting the people responsible for keeping those services running.

Dean explains how WIOA has grown from its Victorian roots into a national association with more than 6,000 members. Its membership now reaches across field operators, treatment plant staff, laboratory technicians, operations centres and senior operational roles.

They discuss the role of conferences, interest days and practical training in sharing lessons between utilities, particularly when geography can make professional connection difficult.

Dean also lifts the lid on the competitive side of the sector, from mains tapping to the Best Tasting Tap Water competition, and explains why these events help recognise work that often remains invisible to customers.

The conversation also covers WIOA's expanding awards program, its growth in Western Australia and its plans to strengthen digital connections between members.

Looking further ahead, Dean considers how the industry can attract students and new entrants into operational careers and why better connection could be one of water's biggest opportunities.

Listen to Episode 5 of Inside Water for a conversation about the people, skills and shared knowledge behind Australia's water industry operations.

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Delivering water and sewerage services in Queensland means working across vast distances, diverse communities and very different local government areas. In this episode of Inside Water, Dr Georgina Davis joins Chris Edwards to discuss the unique pressures shaping Queensland's water industry.

The conversation covers council-led service delivery, regional and remote water challenges, workforce constraints, infrastructure planning and the role qldwater plays in supporting collaboration across the state.

Davis also reflects on her experience across waste, recycling, agriculture and advocacy, and what those sectors taught her about essential services, public trust and working with government.

From local capability to shared problem-solving, this episode explores why collaboration is central to the future of Queensland's water sector.

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Water quality can quickly become a public issue, even when the measured risk is low. In this episode of Inside Water, Professor Stuart Khan joins Chris Edwards to explore how Australia understands, manages and communicates water risk.

The conversation covers PFAS, potable reuse, drinking water guidelines, urban runoff, wastewater surveillance and the growing need for rainfall-independent water supplies. Khan also discusses why financial resilience may be one of the sector's most underdeveloped challenges, particularly for smaller and regional utilities.

From trace contaminants to recycled water, this episode looks at the technical, political and public trust issues shaping the future of Australia's water sector.

Welcome to Inside Water, the audio partner to the visual world of the water and wastewater industry. In this episode, GHD's new Water Market Leader for Victoria, Jane Espie, shares her perspective on leadership, collaboration, and delivery across a sector under pressure. From affordability and infrastructure challenges to innovation and regional resilience, this conversation explores how GHD is working with clients and partners to strengthen outcomes for communities and where the industry is heading next.

Welcome to the first episode of Inside Water, the audio partner to the visual world of the water and wastewater industry.

In this episode, VicWater CEO Jo Lim shares her perspective on the pressures, priorities and opportunities shaping Victoria's water sector. From climate challenges and infrastructure investment to collaboration across utilities, this conversation explores how the industry is responding and where it's heading next.