Cil Harris

Editor specialising in environment, science, technology and sustainability. 

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New research links global warming to increased ENSO variability

New climate modelling research from the CSIRO has showcased the link between human-caused climate change and the increased variability of El Niño and La Niña events.


While the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) naturally produces climate variability, stronger El Niño and La Niña events have been occurring more often in recent decades.

Led by CSIRO Environment Chief Research Scientist Dr Wenju Cai, the research published in Nature examined how the rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions s
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Utility leads habitat creation to support endangered species

Two of Victoria’s faunal emblems are now listed as critically endangered – the Helmeted Honeyeater and the lowland Leadbeater’s Possum – but a new partnership is using recycled water to create more than 35 hectares of climate resilient habitat.

With guidance from the Narrap Rangers, Yarra Valley Water is partnering with Zoos Victoria, Greening Australia, Melbourne Water, Jacobs and Spiire to restore biodiversity at its Upper Yarra Sewage Treatment Plant site in support of these endangered speci
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Tapping statewide flow data to tackle non-revenue water

In a bid to stem the flow of water from its leaky statewide network, TasWater has embarked on an ambitious new district metered area (DMA) project to help reduce non-revenue water and optimise operations.

Involving the installation of hundreds of flow meters across Tasmania, the DMA project aims to develop a better understanding of water loss within and between various service area districts.

When TasWater formed in 2013, the new utility inherited a portfolio of ageing infrastructure and asset
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Biofilm solution trialled for cost-effective drinking water treatment

Issues with the effective treatment of taste and odour in drinking water are expected to rise with global warming, but one group of researchers is piloting the large-scale application of a biofilm-based solution that removes unwanted compounds more cost-effectively, providing benefits and savings at every level of the treatment train.

University of Queensland (UQ) researchers – in partnership with Seqwater and AnoxKaldnes (Veolia Water Technologies) – have been working on an approach applying t
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Flood risk management under a changing climate

As increasing rainfall intensity and variability continue to make flood risk management more complex and difficult, one global flood risk expert says building resilience is all about taking a multi-pronged approach to preparing and adapting to flood risk.

AECOM’s global flood risk management and resilience practice lead Doug Bellomo said that there is growing recognition within industry that trying to “control” flood water is becoming an increasingly expensive solution.

“Historically, the prim
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Utility trials seaweed farming for waterway health

In a bid to support the marine waterway health of South East Queensland’s iconic Moreton Bay, one leading utility has been trialing floating “seaweed sausage” farms as a means of improving the health of marine ecosystems.

With World Ocean Day (8 June) encouraging us all to consider what we can do to help conserve marine ecosystems and resources for future generations, Water Source explored the thinking behind Urban Utilities’ Queensland-first seaweed farming trials.


Urban Utilities spokespe
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Standardising analysis of microplastics in biosolids

​As microplastic pollution continues to proliferate worldwide, researchers are turning their attention to developing standardised methods of analysis in a bid to understand the contaminant better, including how different sources and forms of microplastic impact the environment.

This year’s World Environment Day (5 June) is all about beating plastic pollution, encouraging individuals, businesses and governments worldwide to help tackle the crisis. While macroplastic pollution is a highly visible
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Nature-based solutions key to achieving low-carbon economy

As sectors across the world chase net zero and attempt to adapt to climate change, one leading consultancy is leaning into the low-carbon economy with the launch of a nature-based solutions team in Australia and New Zealand.

Earlier this year, AECOM announced the establishment of the new team, which is set to focus on delivering innovative nature-based solutions to address the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and emissions reduction.

AECOM Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive
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How Fiji’s water sector is adapting to climate change

At the coalface of climate change, Fiji is in the midst of navigating the costly impacts of extreme weather and sea level rise, with one water leader saying building resilience is now an urgent requirement for the Pacific region.

International Water Association Australia (IWAA) is a branch committee of AWA and aims to connect the Australian water community with the activities of the International Water Association (IWA).

A non-profit organisation and knowledge hub for the global water sector,
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Utilities unite to plan for Melbourne’s water future

Despite being consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne is projected to face water security issues under a changing climate. To prepare for the future now, Greater Melbourne’s water utilities have united with a long-term plan.

Last month, Melbourne’s water corporations launched the Greater Melbourne Urban Water and System Strategy: Water for Life plan, a shared strategy aiming to secure Melbourne’s water supplies for the next 50 years by delivering long-term solu
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Benefits of buybacks for environmental water recovery

Earlier this year, the Australian Government announced a new round of voluntary water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin, with the aim of recovering 49 GL of environmental water – the amount needed by June 2024 if the revised 2075 GL target is to be met.

Legislated under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP), the original 2750 GL target is the amount of environmental water that needs to be recovered to sustain natural ecosystems according to sustainable diversion limits.

This original target
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Tech partnership bolsters data and analytics for water-risk mitigation

The financial impact of water-related events is set to rise as the climate continues to change, but one leading professional services company has made an early-stage investment in an innovative new data and analytics company to help communities curb economic risks.

GHD’s ventures arm has made a US$2 million investment in Divirod, a US-based data and analytics company that deploys a new real-time water sensor using satellite technology.

The sensors are self-sustaining via solar battery power an
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Optimising ageing infrastructure with the power of data

Faced with ageing infrastructure, growing populations and sensitive environmental considerations, one South Australian council has recently transformed its approach to wastewater operations and maintenance with help from a leading water data science agency.

SpiralData took out the sustainability innovation accolade at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) awards for a project helping Alexandrina Council gain deeper visibility into wastewater data and optimise its operations.

Located across the Fleurie
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Uniting the water community at Ozwater’23

For SUEZ’s CEO of Australia and New Zealand, Mark Lautre, water is something that connects us all: a shared resource that transcends boundaries and touches every aspect of society.

“I think that’s why a lot of us water professionals are in this industry,” Lautre explained.

“Our business is about the whole cycle of water – from the catchments to the treatment, to the distribution to the collection of the wastewater and returning it to the environment.”

That outlook echoes the theme of this yea
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New research centre set to address impacts of climate on business

As the effects of climate change are increasingly felt around the world, one new collaborative research centre has set its sight on bolstering the resilience of businesses and economies in the Pacific region.

Monash University has partnered with Fiji National University (FNU) to launch the world-first Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT) research centre, with research output based across both universities focusing on the critical links between climate change and business.

The PACT par