MELBOURNE WATER
MELBOURNE WATER
MELBOURNE WATER:
PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE
Project by: Malvern Kandemwa
Words by: Michelle Duncan
Melbourne Water has a long and storied history dating back to the mid-19th century. Established to manage Melbourne’s water supply and sewerage systems, the organisation has evolved to address the growing and changing needs of the city and its surrounding regions. Over the decades, Melbourne Water has expanded its scope to include stormwater management, flood protection, and the ecological health of waterways. Its vision is to enhance life and liveability by providing world-class water services and managing the natural water environment sustainably. The mis-
sion is to manage water resources in a way that balances social, economic, and environmental outcomes for the benefit of the community.
Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo is the Managing Director of Melbourne Water Corporation. She leads Melbourne Water’s vision of enhancing life and liveability for the greater Melbourne region, encompassing the provision of water supply, sewerage, drainage, waterway health and catchment management services. Prior to her appointment in 2021, she was the Executive General Manager of Service Delivery at Melbourne Water. Dr Di Lorenzo has over 21 years of experience in senior leadership roles, including as CEO of Moreland City Council for five years. She brings a strong focus on deliver-
ing strategy and performance improvement focussed on customer and stakeholder outcomes, along with extensive experience in Asset Management, Infrastructure Operations, Project Delivery and Business Improvement.
Melbourne Water is responsible for managing and protecting the city’s major water resources, providing essential services such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, and waterways management. Under Dr Lorenzo leadership, Melbourne Water has made significant advancements in sustainable water management, infrastructure development, and community engagement. Her leadership style is characterised by a commitment to innovation, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
Infrastructure upgrades are a fundamental aspect of Melbourne Water’s strategic initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness, improve service delivery, and ensure the long-term reliability of water and sewage systems. The authority invests in upgrading treatment plants, pipeline networks, pump stations, and flood mitigation infrastructure to maintain infrastructure resilience and
meet the increasing demands of a growing population.
Melbourne Water’s recent completion of an innovative upgrade at the Western Treatment Plant marks a significant milestone in the authority’s commitment to environmental sustainability and operational excellence. The Western Treatment Plant, located in Werribee, plays a crucial role in treating sewage and wastewater to protect public health and the environment. The completion of
this upgrade project underscores Melbourne Water’s dedication to enhancing treatment processes, reducing environmental impact, and embracing innovative solutions to meet the evolving demands of its operations.
The upgrade at the Western Treatment Plant introduces innovative technologies and processes that aim to improve treatment efficiency, increase ability, and enhance environmental outcomes. By implementing innovative solutions,
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RESOURCES
Melbourne Water reinforces its position as a leader in sustainable water management practices and underscores its commitment to delivering high-quality water services while minimising its ecological footprint.
MELBOURNE WATER REINFORCES ITS POSITION AS A LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE WATER...
The new Nutrient Removal Plant at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee will provide an extra 140ML of treated water per day which is equivalent to 56 Olympic-sized swimming pools. While the Western Treatment Plant has two existing nutrient removal plants - this new addition is more energy
efficient and built with the latest advanced monitoring and controls. The added capacity will support Melbourne Water in meeting the needs of Melbourne’s expanding population, now and into the future, ensuring that Melbourne continues to be one of the world’s most liveable cities. The completion of this upgrade at the Western Treatment Plant is a significant achievement for Melbourne Water, reflecting the authority’s ongoing efforts to invest in modern infrastructure, adopt innovative technologies, and ensure the long-term resilience of its operations. This innovative upgrade not only helps the plant’s operational efficiency but also contributes to broader environmental sustainability goals and the protection of natural ecosystems in the Melbourne region.
Across all its operations Melbourne Water places a strong emphasis on safety across all its operations to ensure the well-being of its employees, contractors, and the community. The authority recognizes that maintaining a safe working environment is essential for operational effectiveness, public trust, and regulatory compliance. Recent interventions to improve safety protocols have included on-going comprehensive training, conducting rigorous risk assessments, promoting incident reporting, implementing safety procedures, ensuring proper use of PPE, and maintaining emergency preparedness. By ingraining a culture of safety, Melbourne Water continues to uphold the highest safety standards in all aspects of its operations.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION
Embracing technology transformation is a key strategic priority for Melbourne Water as the authority looks to use advancements in digital solutions, data analytics, automation, and smart infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency, resource optimization, and customer service. Technology plays a crucial role in improving decision-making processes, checking water quality, predicting system performance, and responding proactively to potential risks and challenges. Furthermore, embracing smart infrastructure technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and real-time monitoring systems, enables Melbourne Water to collect and analyse data from its assets in real time. This data-driven approach enhances asset maintenance, reduces downtime, and improves overall system performance, leading to cost savings and operational efficiencies. Incorporating remote monitoring capabilities allows Melbourne Water to remotely check critical infrastructure, detect anomalies, and preemptively address issues before they escalate. By remotely monitoring water systems, treat-
ment plants, and distribution networks, the authority can ensure reliability, optimise processes, and minimise risks associated with system failures. With increased reliance on digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of Melbourne Water’s operations. Robust cybersecurity measures are in place to protect the infrastructure and data from cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and reliability of water services.
Furthermore, Melbourne Water has undertaken extensive process optimization initiatives to streamline operations and reduce costs. Key areas of focus include lean management principles to eliminate waste and improve process efficiency across all operations. Also, workflow automation by automating routine tasks and workflows using digital tools, freeing up staff to focus on more strategic activities. Establishing clear performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) has been crucial in monitoring and improving operational performance. Regular performance reviews and data-driven insights help in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring accountability.
BY REMOTELY MONITORING WATER SYSTEMS, TREATMENT PLANTS, AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS, THE AUTHORITY CAN ENSURE RELIABILITY, OPTIMISE PROCESSES AND MINIMISE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SYSTEM FAILURES.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (PPPS)
Strategic partnerships have been a cornerstone of Melbourne Water’s success, playing a pivotal role in enhancing its capabilities, expanding its service reach, and promoting innovation. Under the leadership of Dr Lorenzo, Melbourne Water has forged many strategic alliances with public and private entities, government bodies, research institutions, and community organisations. These partnerships are integral to the company’s operations, infrastructure development, and overall strategic objectives.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been crucial in funding and implementing large-scale infrastructure projects. These partnerships combine the strengths and resources of both public and private sectors, leading to efficient project delivery and innovation. These partnerships bring together the expertise and resources of both public and private sectors to:
Treatment Plant Upgrades:
Fund and implement large-scale infrastructure projects, such as new treatment plants and pipeline expansions. Melbourne Water has collaborated with private sector companies to upgrade and expand treatment plants, such as the Eastern Treatment Plant and Western Treatment Plant. These upgrades have increased capacity, improved water quality, and introduced advanced technologies for more efficient operations.
Pipeline Projects:
PPPs have enabled the construction and maintenance of extensive pipeline networks, ensuring a reliable and efficient water supply system. These projects often involve innovative construction techniques and materials, reducing costs and enhancing durability.
Technology Integration: Partnerships with technology firms, research institutions, and industry bodies have driven technological advancements and innovation. These collaborations have introduced innovative solutions that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance service delivery.
Strategic partnerships are integral to Melbourne Water’s success, providing the foundation for its operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability efforts. Under Dr Nerina Lorenzo’s leadership, Melbourne Water has effectively leveraged these partnerships to enhance its capabilities, secure funding, and drive technological advancements. By continuing to build and nurture strategic alliances, Melbourne Water is well-positioned to address future challenges, seize growth opportunities, and achieve its vision of enhancing life and liveability through sustainable water management. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MELBOURNE WATER