Climate change & water quality

A Symposium on Climate Change and Water Quality was presented by WQRA and SA Water on 2 August 2011, at SA Water House.

The Symposium featured an impressive array of presenters.

Dr Karl Braganza, Manager of Climate Modelling at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, provided an overview of the current state of climate change science and projections for South Australia, and Dr David Cunliffe, SA Health's Principal Water Quality Advisor, discussed the possible public health implications of climate change on drinking water quality.

Providing an international perspective were Dr Kenan Ozekin, Senior Project Manager for the Water Research Foundation (USA) and Mr Kang Lin, Chief of the Biological Section, Department of Water Quality, Taiwan Water Corporation.

Mr Adam Lovell, Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia, discussed initiatives in the Australian water industry, and Prof Simon Beecham, Head of the School of Natural and Built Environments, UniSA, presented on the Goyder Institute's climate change research project.

Case studies were presented by ProfJohn Little, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech (USA), Prof Tsair-Fuh Lin, Deputy Director of the Sustainable Environment Research Centre, National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan), A/Prof Mike Burch, Acting RDI Manager, SA Water, and Prof Justin Brookes, Director of the University of Adelaide's Water Research Centre, who presented on behalf of Prof David Hamilton, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair in Lakes Management and Restoration, University of Waikato (New Zealand).

The event was attended by many WQRA member organisations,and provided a very positive and constructive forum to discuss the potential impact of climate change on drinking water.

Speaking after the event, WQRA CEO Jodieann Dawe emphasised that water quality cannot be taken for granted.

“We need to understand the risks posed by climate change to water quality and water security, and we need to be proactive in responding to them,” she said.

“Events like this symposium provide an important opportunity to bring together leaders in this field, to exchange knowledge, ideas and experience, and to help ensure that we are equipped for the future.”

For more information about the symposium, contact Eva O'Driscoll (Eva.ODriscoll@wqra.com.au).