Yarra Valley Water vies for global title of Public Water Agency of the Year
Presented annually at the Global Water Summit, the prestigious awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the international water industry, recognising innovation and operational excellence.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty said it was an honour to be internationally recognised for driving the industry forward and helping to shape a sustainable water future.
“Global Water Intelligence’s panel of independent experts reviewed a record number of nominations this year - being shortlisted is an incredible achievement when you’re up against the world’s leading water organisations,” Mr McCafferty said.
“It’s well-deserved recognition of the work we do every day to provide great drinking water and essential sewerage services to two million Victorians as well as championing industry innovation to create a positive difference for communities and the environment.”
The Global Water Intelligence panel praised Yarra Valley Water’s customer-first approach and projects that create community value. In shortlisting the water corporation, it said “By putting its customers and community first, Yarra Valley Water has obtained the social license to transcend its traditional role, and aims to go beyond simple compliance to build a more resilient utility and community.”
Mr McCafferty said Yarra Valley Water was one of the first water utilities in the world to commit to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and continues to deliver projects that drive positive change in the water sector.
Initiatives include:
- Implementing a rapid decarbonisation program to achieve net zero scope 1 & 2 emissions from 1 July 2025, for the 2025-26 financial year – well ahead of its 2030 obligation.
- Being assessed as one of Australia’s most efficient water utilities through independent benchmarking.
- Enabling Traditional Owners to care for Country on a self-determined basis.
- Reimagining treatment plant buffer land to support sustainable community farming and restore habitat for some of Australia’s most critically endangered creatures.
- Launching Australia’s first recycled water offset project.
- Investing in a pilot to explore sustainable production of hydrogen and exploring how the oxygen by-product can improve sewage treatment processes.
- Creating programs that have since become influential national organisations, including Thriving Communities Australia, a cross-sector collaboration to support vulnerable customers, and Choose Tap, a coalition encouraging consumers to ditch plastic and switch to tap water.
- Promoting gender diversity with women in the executive team rising from 14% to 60% and women in leadership reaching 50% over the past decade.
Mr McCafferty thanked the Yarra Valley Water team and partners for their efforts. “This amazing achievement, which coincides with our 30th anniversary year, celebrates our team's hard work and our partners' support delivering for our customers and communities,” he said.
“Our approach demonstrates how water agencies can build on a foundation of operational excellence in core service delivery and include innovation, sustainability, equity and community resilience to make a positive difference.”
Other finalists for the Public Water Agency of the Year Award are US-based JXN Water, Shenzhen Water and Environment Group in China and France’s SIAAP.
Winners will be announced at the Global Water Summit in May.