Student ideas shine at water innovation challenge

Chris EdwardsMay 2, 2025, 7:52 amMay 2, 2025

A Queensland water innovation challenge is making waves with practical solutions to industry issues.

When your weekend starts with 34 metres of sandwiches and ends with a winning idea for the future of water, something’s working. At the 2025 Sustainability and Innovation Challenge hosted by UQ Ventures, students were asked to imagine the future of water management in South East Queensland. What followed was a flurry of ideas, mentorship, collaboration and a timely reminder that the next generation of water leaders might just be closer than we think.

The two-day event, run in collaboration with Seqwater, brought together more than 140 students from across the University of Queensland and beyond. Their brief: develop practical, implementable solutions for some of the region’s most pressing water challenges.

Addressing the needs of a growing population

South East Queensland’s population is expected to grow by more than 2 million people by 2046. The SEQ Water Grid already supplies drinking water to more than 3.7 million residents across the region. As pressures on the system mount, so too does the need for agile, low-cost solutions that support conservation, resilience and water quality.

The challenge gave students a crash course in real-world problem solving, with many teams pivoting multiple times based on mentor feedback. Some looked upstream at agriculture and treatment, while others took inspiration from the community and environment.

The winning team, Moist Meter, developed a farm-focused software platform that integrates with existing machinery and sensors. The platform delivers data insights on soil moisture and irrigation use, supporting more efficient water use across Australia’s agricultural sector.

Turning innovation into application

Other standout entries included Native Roots, which proposed a native grass turf solution designed to dramatically cut down outdoor watering in homes, parks and sportsgrounds. Another team, DuckMat, proposed a modular raft system that uses duckweed to absorb nutrient pollution in stormwater and rural runoff. The duckweed could be harvested for use in compost or animal feed, creating a circular waste solution.

According to UQ Ventures, the challenge was not just about clever ideas. It was also about helping students understand the broader context of water policy, infrastructure and customer behaviour. Teams were encouraged to consider everything from community education and market demand to supply chain challenges and regulatory frameworks.

Mentoring from industry professionals

Throughout the weekend, students were supported by mentors from Seqwater and the University of Queensland. These included professionals in water treatment, infrastructure, digital technology and environmental science. Workshops on problem-framing, design thinking and pitching helped students refine their ideas, test assumptions and prepare for the final showcase.

This blend of industry insight and student creativity highlighted the value of partnerships between the water sector and universities. Events like this help uncover new ideas that might otherwise be missed and give students a practical platform to learn, fail, and innovate.

“Water is such a critical and complex challenge for our region,” said UQ Ventures Entrepreneurship Program Manager Hannah Braganza. “By bringing students together with water professionals, we can spark new conversations and approaches.”

Building capacity for the future

Seqwater’s involvement in the event reflects a broader trend across the sector: growing investment in education, innovation and workforce development. Programs like this not only help with early-stage innovation but also provide pathways for future talent to enter the water industry with real-world experience.

Braganza said the most rewarding part of the weekend was seeing students embrace the feedback process.

“We had to completely restructure our idea after mentor feedback,” she said. “It was a huge pivot, but it paid off. We learned how important it is to listen, adapt, and work together under pressure.”