Proposal Specialist

Week in water: updates from across the community. Oct 15, 2026 | 5 mins read by Water Source This week's water community activity celebrates the connections water makes possible, alongside efforts to improve water efficiency, strengthen services and support communities through emergencies. As National Water Week highlights why Water is Life, the latest developments span recycled water for agriculture, digital leak detection, catchment protection and international recognition of water sector leadership. NATIONAL National Water Week celebrates why Water is Life National Water Week (19-26 October) is bringing communities, schools and organisations together to recognise water's role in everyday life, with Water is Life highlighting its importance to people, cultures, economies and environments. The week celebrates how water supports healthy communities, sustains biodiversity, enables prosperity and builds resilience in a changing climate. It also recognises water's central place in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connection to Country. For schools, the 2026 theme Water Connects Everything encourages students to explore these connections through learning and participation. Workplaces and community groups can join the celebrations by sharing stories, starting conversations and exploring the resources available through National Water Week. Learn more about how to get involved. AECOM appoints new water infrastructure Industry Director AECOM has promoted Marco van Winden to Industry Director, Civil, Water Infrastructure, bringing more than 33 years of experience in infrastructure planning, design and construction management to the role. His experience includes serving as design manager for Sydney Water's $600 million Prospect to Macarthur Distribution Link pipelines and pump stations... Van Winden has also supported technical capability development as course director for AECOM's Pressure Pipelines Design global technical academy. STATE AND TERRITORY Wamuran growers invited to connect to recycled water scheme Unitywater is inviting growers to join the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme, which supplies Class A recycled water from the Caboolture South Wastewater Treatment Plant to support local agriculture. Unitywater and City of Moreton Bay will host a farmer showcase in Caboolture on 21 October, offering information about irrigation opportunities and experiences from participating growers. The scheme also reduces nutrient discharges to the Caboolture River and Moreton Bay. Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan said: "For growers, access to a secure, climate-independent water source provides the confidence to invest, plan for the future and extend production beyond the limits of rainfall," Brisbane emergency hub strengthens regional disaster response Veolia has launched an Asia-Pacific emergency response hub in Brisbane, providing $250,000 of equipment and technology alongside a trained volunteer team to support communities affected by disasters and humanitarian crises. Twenty-seven volunteers have completed training, including exercises with mobile water treatment units capable of supplying drinking water for between 2,000 and 7,500 people. Veolia Australia and New Zealand CEO Craig Barker said: "This is a critical resource for a region particularly exposed to climate extremes and natural disasters. Establishing the Veoliaforce Hub in Brisbane, reinforces our commitment to every community across Australia, New Zealand, and the broader APAC region." UNSW report explores how to recognise research impact earlier A new UNSW Science report proposes a framework for recognising research contributions before a final product, policy or innovation emerges. Drawing on eight case studies, the report examines how partnerships, community engagement and understanding practical needs contribute to outcomes. The approach considers contributions across commercialisation, scholarly outputs, policy, lives changed and sustainability. UNSW Science Dean Scientia Professor Sven Rogge said: "If we only measure impact once there is a product, policy or treatment, we miss much of what made that impact possible," Smoke testing identifies hidden wastewater network faults Unitywater's annual smoke testing program is underway across Moreton Bay, identifying faults and improper connections that allow stormwater to enter the wastewater network. Testing will cover seven suburbs in 2026-27, using a safe, non-toxic vapour to reveal potential problems. The program has identified defects in about 4,000 private plumbing connections over five years. Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said: "Across Moreton Bay 85% of these defects have been rectified, which has reduced stormwater inflow by 24%, which reduces the likelihood, frequency and volume of overflows occurring," No PFAS detected in latest regional water testing SA Water's latest sampling has found no detectable PFAS in underground bores at Penola, Robe and Hawker, or at Middle River Reservoir on Kangaroo Island. The results form part of an ongoing program that has sampled more than 50 drinking water systems across South Australia, with no detectable PFAS reported to date. Samples undergo independent, accredited laboratory testing. SA Water Senior Manager of Water Expertise Dr Lionel Ho said: "Due to the prevalence of PFAS in many consumer and industrial products, our specialist samplers follow strict guidelines to prevent sample contamination." Mining camp audits identify water savings opportunities Water Corporation has partnered with seven mining camp operators across the Goldfields and Pilbara to identify potential annual water savings exceeding 176 million litres. Audits found opportunities to reduce average water use by almost 39%, informing a new water efficiency guide covering leak detection, monitoring, fixtures, irrigation and reuse. At one camp near Leonora, improvements reduced daily use from about 185,000 litres to 70,000 litres. Western Australian Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli said: "This new guide will help existing and future camps build on that work through practical measures such as fixing leaks, improving monitoring and installing efficient fixtures." New watering arrangements aim to protect Esperance groundwater A two-day weekly sprinkler roster for domestic bores will begin across the Shire of Esperance and Munglinup on 1 December 2026, followed by a winter sprinkler switch-off from June 2027. The changes respond to declining groundwater levels and rising salinity. Planning is also underway to explore desalination and greater recycled water use, while maintenance works have repaired 63 leaks, saving up to 30 million litres. Western Australian Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli said: "By acting now, we can preserve our precious groundwater and help ensure future generations have a secure and reliable water supply." New rules strengthen Sydney drinking water catchment protection WaterNSW has welcomed new catchment protection regulations, including increased penalties and remediation and cost-recovery powers to address illegal dumping. The organisation spent approximately $300,000 over the past year removing waste from Greater Sydney's drinking water catchment. Motion cameras, patrols and joint surveillance with other agencies are also supporting protection efforts. WaterNSW Executive General Manager Rob O'Neill said: "These areas are intended to be as clean and free from contamination as possible. Illegal dumping is therefore a direct threat to the quality of Greater Sydney's water supply." Moreton Bay wastewater upgrades support growing communities Unitywater is upgrading wastewater infrastructure across Moreton Bay to improve reliability, extend asset life and accommodate population growth. Works include pump station and pipeline upgrades in Burpengary, new infrastructure on Hercules Road, improvements in Strathpine and Caboolture, and enhancements to low pressure sewer systems in Donnybrook. Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said: "We're actively planning our projects to cater for the growing population and changing climate and a new overflow structure in Caboolture will help prevent wet weather overflows from impacting the community and environment," School tree planting program reaches 90 schools Ninety schools across Melbourne's west have planted 3,911 native trees through Greater Western Water's Trees for Schools program, supporting greener school grounds and reduced stormwater run-off. Delivered with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the program has grown from 22 schools in 2021 and provides trees, planting materials and advice. Greater Western Water General Manager Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said: "Trees play a crucial role within our water cycle by releasing water vapour that turns into rainfall, helping to strengthen our soil layers with their root systems, which is important for sustainable water management," South East Water reaches 300,000 digital meter installations South East Water has installed more than 300,000 digital meters across Melbourne's south-east and the Mornington Peninsula, helping customers monitor water use and detect leaks. By June 2026, the rollout had saved an estimated 4.2 billion litres of drinking water and reduced customer bills by around $19.2 million. Once complete in 2029, the program is expected to save up to five billion litres annually. South East Water General Manager Digital and Transformation Andrew Forster-Knight said: "We're innovating with purpose to help our customers manage their water use, avoid bill shock and protect our precious drinking water for the future." Want water sector insights delivered weekly? Subscribe to Source, the Australian Water Association's newsletter.

AECOM appoints new Transmission and Distribution Lead for Europe and India. Liam Feeney takes on key role to support clients in delivering the critical grid upgrades needed for the energy transition LONDON (October 14, 2026) - AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, today announced it has appointed Liam Feeney as Transmission and Distribution Lead for Europe and India. In this role, Mr. Feeney will lead and grow the organisation's transmission and distribution team across the region, supporting clients in delivering the network upgrades and expansions needed to meet growing energy demand while enhancing the capacity, resilience and reliability of future power grids. With extensive experience across the power sector, Mr. Feeney joins from PSC, where he was general manager for power networks and HVDC, leading teams across Europe and North America. He began his career at National Grid, where he helped shape the asset strategy for its HVDC interconnector portfolio, and has also held positions at SSE, where he led the management and operation of 2GWs of onshore wind across Great Britain and Ireland. Eloise John, Managing Director, Energy, Europe and India, AECOM, said: "Liam joins us at an important time for the business as we continue to work with clients to modernise and expand the networks that will underpin a more sustainable, secure and resilient future. With extensive experience in asset management and operations, Liam is ideally suited to help clients unlock greater value from their assets and navigate the evolving energy landscape." Liam Feeney, Transmission and Distribution Lead, Europe and India, AECOM, said: "The energy transition presents one of the most exciting opportunities our industry has seen in a generation. With its deep technical expertise, AECOM is well positioned to help shape the future of energy infrastructure for our clients, and I am thrilled to be joining the business at such an exciting time. I am passionate about supporting the next generation of talent and providing them with real-world experience in project delivery, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the business to help people build rewarding and successful careers." Mr. Feeney's appointment comes as AECOM continues to support clients on some of the region's most significant transmission and distribution upgrades. These include the company's role as a design and consenting service partner in a joint venture with Arup for the UK National Grid's Great Grid Partnership and its position on EirGrid's Framework for Grid Development to deliver engineering design, planning and project management services. Liam Feeney, Transmission and Distribution Lead, Europe and India, AECOM About AECOM AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM Corporation solve its clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Its teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. Media contacts * jason marshall, global * quincy zhai, americas * rebecca adam, australia & new zealand * rebecca lam, asia pacific * rachel brierley, Europe & India * bahaa hage, middle east & africa.

AECOM bolsters programme management capability with experienced hires. Siv Bhamra and Paul Lewington will take on Programme Director roles for AECOM in Europe LONDON (12 October 2026) - AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, today announced it has appointed two experienced directors to bolster its programme management capability. Siv Bhamra has joined AECOM as Programme Director for major regional rail projects. With 37 years of experience delivering major rail projects in the UK and internationally, Mr. Bhamra joins from WSP. Throughout his career he has overseen delivery of high-speed, city metro and light rail schemes across the UK, North America and the Middle East. Paul Lewington has also been appointed as Programme Director. Mr. Lewington will be responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams delivering large, complex programmes for clients across critical infrastructure in nuclear, defence, energy and transportation. With over 25 years' experience in project, programme and portfolio delivery, Mr. Lewington joins AECOM from Costain, where he was leading defence programmes. "I am delighted to welcome Siv and Paul to AECOM, in what is another significant step in the growth of our programme management business," said Cameron Tonkin, Managing Director, Programme Management Europe & India, AECOM. "Clients across our sectors are increasingly seeking to deliver diverse, ambitious yet interconnected projects and programmes. Siv and Paul's extensive and diverse experience of delivering complex programmes and transformational change across critical infrastructure will be central to driving cross sector growth in our programme management business." Mr Bhamra's prior experience also includes senior positions at Infrata and Bechtel, while Mr. Lewington has held senior roles at Siemens Rail and Airbus. Both are members of the Association for Project Management. Siv Bhamra, Programme Director Paul Lewington, Programme Director About AECOM AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, AECOM Corporation solve its clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Its teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. Media contacts * jason marshall, global * quincy zhai, americas * rebecca adam, australia & new zealand * rebecca lam, asia pacific * rachel brierley, Europe & India * bahaa hage, Middle East & africa.