Water is essential for all life forms It is a fundamental resource necessary for socio-economic development and for ecological sustainability. Good quality water is becoming scarce due to population growth and associated residential and industrial development and pollution, particularly in towns and cities. It is timely that the sustainable management of water resources is widely discussed, noting that water can be recycled for an unlimited number of times after adequate treatment. The conference will have topics regarding small systems (decentralised systems) which serves less than 100,000 population equivalent. The conference will discuss and explore new and innovative methods of treatment, better understanding and assessment of resources and their supporting ecosystems, proper management for conservation and approaches to achieve the dual aim of economic development and ecological sustainability. The focus is on the necessary infrastructure to provide good quality water, in sufficient quantity, in the most sustainable manner.

Conference Topics

1. Governance, Policy and Regulation

a. Supporting innovation

b. Regulatory approvals processes

c. Models of service provision

d. Funding, risk and management

​2. Innovation, Technology, Research and Development
a. Sources: Rainwater, Storm water, Groundwater
b. Desalination
c. Treatment innovations
d. Decentralized treatment systems
e. Low technology treatment systems
f. Wastewater reclamation and reuse
g. Sludge management
h. Systems for mining industry
i. Resource oriented sanitation

​3. Implementation and Operational Experience
a. Water-Energy Nexus
b. Water-Energy-Food-Community Nexus
c. Operation and Maintenance of small wastewater treatment plants
d. Experiences from developing countries
e. The role of small scale systems in liveability
f. Environmental microbiology & population dynamics
g. Operation and maintenance in remote locations and Aboriginal communities

 4. Communities, engagement and liveability Education, Training and Certification
a. Fostering champions
b. Stakeholder management and meeting multiple objectives
c. Community engagement and behaviour change