Council scoops State water award

11 November, 2020Posted in: Roads and Assets
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Wingecarribee Shire Council has won a major award at the 2020 Local Government NSW Water Management Conference for its work on improving water efficiency.

The Sam Samra Award was presented to Council for the work the organisation has undertaken in continually improving water and sewerage asset management practices and strategy development.

Council’s Manager of Assets Stace Lewer said Council received the award following recent improvements made to the Shire’s water and sewerage systems.

“In presenting the award the panel highlighted Council’s asset management practices, strategies and plans that help provide clear direction for the provision of this essential community service,” he said.  “These include our Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy, Total Asset Management Plan and Financial Plan.”

Mr Lewer said the strategies and plans put in place were integral to Council continually improving its asset management practices and systems.

“The judges also identified the progressive implementation of a digital solution to reduce water losses and improve water efficiency,” he said.

“At the same time, they also recognised the multi-million dollar upgrades that Council is undertaking across our network of Sewage Treatment Plants as critical to the future growth and sustainability of our Shire.”

The annual award is co-sponsored by Local Government NSW, the NSW Water Directorate and the Department of Industry – Water with almost 90 local water utilities across NSW eligible for nomination.

“Winning the award is fabulous recognition for the hard work put in by Council’s water and sewerage staff,” Mr Lewer added.  “But being acknowledged by our peers at the State conference and knowing that they’re watching with interest how we manage our Shire’s water and sewerage network is even more important.”

The award was presented as part of an online event rescheduled because of COVID-19 restrictions at the recent Local Government NSW Water Management Conference.

The Sam Samra Award is an annual award ceremony established in 2017 as a memorial and acknowledgement of the late Sam Samra’s long-term contribution, passion and dedication to the water industry.