South East Water has been recognised across four categories in this year’s Australian Water Association (AWA) Victorian Awards, reinforcing its position as one of the state’s leading innovators in the water sector.
The annual AWA awards celebrate outstanding contributions by individuals, organisations and researchers whose work drives sustainability, innovation and leadership in the water industry.
South East Water was named a finalist in two Organisational Excellence categories — one for its Sotto® network leak detection project, developed in partnership with Iota, and another for its collaborative approach to balancing the benefits and risks of closed catchments alongside Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water and Yarra Valley Water.
It also earned recognition in the Research and Development Excellence category through a joint consortium with RMIT University, Melbourne Water, the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria and Intelligent Water Networks. Two of its leaders have been honoured individually: Hannah Ellingford, Customer Advocacy and Design Manager, as Young Water Professional of the Year, and Karen Lau, General Manager of Strategy and Stakeholder, as Water Professional of the Year.
Managing Director Carla Purcell said the nominations highlighted the organisation’s commitment to innovation and its people. “We’re honoured to be recognised across four categories in this year’s Victorian awards,” Purcell said. “Every day we’re focused on purposeful innovation to ensure safe and reliable services for the 1.8 million people that we serve across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.”
The winners of the AWA Victorian Awards will be announced on October 16 at the Victoria Gala Dinner and Awards held at the Melbourne Town Hall.
The awards celebrate projects and professionals shaping the state’s water future through collaboration and excellence. The full list of finalists is available at awa.asn.au/awards-vic.