The Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) has released its 2025 Success Report, outlining a year of membership growth, national events and expanded operator development initiatives.
Membership reached 4,250 across all tiers in 2025, supported by a new, more inclusive membership model launched in January 2026. The revised structure enables Utility Corporate Members to connect all operational and HR employees to WIOA, broadening access to events and professional development.
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Conferences set new benchmarks
WIOA delivered three major conferences in 2025, held in Bendigo, Newcastle and Bundaberg.
Across the year, conferences attracted more than 2,700 attendees and 970 exhibitors, with 43 presentations delivered nationally. Newcastle set a state benchmark with more than 800 attendees, reflecting continued demand for operationally focused forums.
Six special members were honoured during the year, including two Life Members, and more than $6,000 was raised for charities across WIOA events.
Alongside conferences, the association hosted seven Main Tapping Events across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia, and nine Best Tasting Tap Water competitions.
Regional engagement expands
Interest Days continued to strengthen WIOA’s regional footprint, with 12 events hosted nationwide.
More than 30 presentations were delivered during these events, covering topics ranging from safety challenges and commissioning lessons to instrumentation and drone inspections.
Locations included Port Macquarie, Capalaba, Perth, Longford and Far North Queensland, where workshops and facility tours provided practical insights for local operators.
Community and communication growth
WIOA’s digital reach expanded during 2025, with more than 45,000 annual website users and an average of 3,900 users per month.
LinkedIn followers grew to 6,607, Facebook to 939, and Instagram to 172, reflecting year-on-year increases across platforms. Twenty e-newsletters were distributed throughout the year, alongside two editions each of Operator Magazine and WaterWorks Journal.
The association also supported 244 job board advertisements, connecting members with employment opportunities.
New programs for 2026
The report outlines several initiatives for the year ahead, including the national launch of Women in Water Operations (WiWO), a group designed to connect and support women and their allies across the sector.
WIOA will also continue its Network Operator Development Program, established in 2017, and introduce a new national virtual round table for Operations Team Leaders and Coordinators beginning in February 2026.
Looking ahead, the 2026 WIOA Conference & Exhibitions calendar has been confirmed for Bendigo, Gold Coast and Newcastle.