Victorian water corporations Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Melbourne Water take out prizes at the 2025 Australian Water Awards, organised by the Australian Water Association (AWA).
Two Victorian water corporations have been recognised at the 2025 Australian Water Awards, which were held in Adelaide in late May.
The awards recognise innovation, leadership, infrastructure and inspiring positive change to drive a sustainable water future.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee (GWM) Water took out the Regional Infrastructure Innovation Award for the first-ever fully off-grid facility at Elmhurst, located between Ararat and Avoca in western Victoria. The team at GWM Water successfully upgraded Elmhurst’s water supply to meet drinking water standards by implementing a new off-grid water treatment plant. The stand-alone power system addressed concerns regarding native vegetation disturbance, avoids the need to access customers’ land, and ensures a more reliable supply without increasing costs for customers.
The award-winning treatment plant features an 85-kilowatt solar array and a 108 kWh battery, which provides enough renewable energy to keep the town hydrated, and a backup generator if needed.
By not connecting to the electricity grid, impacts on neighbouring properties and native vegetation during construction were reduced.
It also provides a more reliable and cost-effective water supply for customers, ensuring that drinking water is readily available without putting pressure on customers’ bills.
Melbourne Water were also recognised in the Metro category for the same award for their innovative work on the Hobsons Bay Main Sewer Project. Setting new benchmarks for best practice in the water industry, the project will be the first independently verified net-zero carbon infrastructure project in Australia.
The Australian Water Awards continue to spotlight the people, organisations and ideas that are advancing the sector and delivering real outcomes for communities across the country.
For more information, head to the 2025 Australian Water Awards winners revealed.
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