Australia links with the US WateReuse Association

Information and research on water recycling available in Australia will be boosted with the establishment of an Australian division of the influential US WateReuse Association.

Australia’s major water utilities' peak body, the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), has finalised negotiations with the United States body to establish the local division.

The Chair of WSAA, Dr Kerry Schott, said the organisations will share the aim of advancing the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science and technology using recycled water and desalination for the benefit of the community.

The president of the WateReuse Association, Rich Atwater, said that setting up the Australian division heralds a new era for his not-for-profit Association.

”This is the first division of this Association set up outside the USA. We are delighted to now have an Australian division as recycled water and desalination are such important issues here. In fact, in many respects, Australia leads the world in the use of recycled water and desalination,” he said.

Sydney Water has strong links to international research through a number of key collaborations and Schott said he is looking forward to the opportunity to further enhance information and research exchange between Australia and the US.

”Drought has hit Australia very hard, resulting in rapidly declining inflows into water storages and this is highly likely to be further compounded by impending climate change,” he said.

“Linking the research undertaken by such a prestigious organisation as the WateReuse Association will enable Australia to keep up with best practice techniques and technology advances in water recycling and desalination.”