eFlash #620 New
Date: 05-Mar-2025
In this edition: High Pressure Water Jetting Exemption | Essentials Webinar Arc Flash Risk | swimlocal Webinar Recording | New Monitoring Course on Water Training Website | Urban Water Skills Forum | Health Based Targets Information Session | qldwater Secures Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Role | WIOA Water Industry Safety Event | Preventing Environmental Harm from Cyber Security Incidents | Sustainable Pumping Course | Drinking Water Regulation Workshop | End of Waste Code for Biochar
NEW / HOT TOPICS
HPWJ Exemption
We have received a lot of requests for further information regarding the High-Pressure Water Jetting (HPWJ) exemption for the Queensland urban water sector.
We’ve captured the relevant information including links to the letter of exemption, the exemption decision document and a sample Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) here.
More details about the upcoming Essentials Webinar will be available soon.
Essentials Webinar: Arc Flash Risk
Join us on Thursday, 13 March from 10 to 11am where Unitywater Electrical Engineer Tim Stewart will explain how to assess and define arc flash risk, developing procedures to keep staff safe and tailor training for different roles across the organisation.
This webinar is essential for anyone involved in electrical safety, operations, or asset management in the water sector. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Unitywater’s experience in managing a critical safety risk.
swimlocal webinar
A recording of the swimlocal webinar held on 20 Februaryis now available on our website.
New Monitoring Course on Water Training Website
Do you have new staff who need to develop the knowledge skills required to monitor, operate and report on processes in treatment plants or stormwater systems?
The latest addition to the watertraining website, the Monitoring 101 course explains the why and how of treatment plant monitoring and importantly, what actions should be taken as a result of monitoring.
The course is free and we welcome feedback to ensure that we continue to improve on our course offerings. Send feedback to skills@qldwater.com.au.
Urban Water Skills Forum
Register now for the 8th annual Urban Water Skills Forum to be held at Parliament House on Thursday, 27 March. The theme for the event is Putting People at the Heart of Innovation.
Find the draft program and register here.
The event will include a QUT WISE Lab Tour and drinks reception from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on 26 March.
Register here for the QUT tour.
Health Based Targets Information Session
Following the Water Skills Forum, qldwater will co-host an Health Based Targets (HBT) Information Session from 5.30pm on 27 March.
This follows the Queensland Audit Office's December 2024 report on Managing Queensland’s regional water quality, which recommends a pathway for water service providers to adopt health-based targets.
The session will cover:
- The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and Health-Based Targets (HBTs)
- Challenges in implementing HBTs across Queensland
- Strategies for effective adoption and regulation
qldwater Secures Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Role
The Queensland Government is investing $17 million over three years to expand the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) program, strengthening industry and training connections across 14 key sectors.
The expanded program begins 1 March 2025, delivering more resources and tailored support.
qldwater is pleased to announce our successful EOI application, allowing us to continue in this critical advocacy role for the next three years. We extend our sincere thanks to members, stakeholders, and Government Departments for their invaluable support.
ISJAs play a key role in shaping training and skills priorities, supporting industry connections, enhancing training quality, influencing national VET reforms, and helping businesses access training support. We look forward to continuing to advocate for the water industry and regional workforce needs.
REMINDERS / OTHER NEWS
WIOA Water Industry Safety Event
WIOA is hosting a Water Industry Safety Event (WISE) from 8.30 to 4.00 on 13 March. Topics include driver safety training, working with electricity, pressurised water, height, confined spaces, mental health and more.
Preventing Environmental Harm from Cyber Security Incidents
With increasing technology integration, the risk of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure—including water utilities—is growing. Cyber incidents can lead to environmental harm, such as the release of contaminated materials due to compromised control systems.
Operators must take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent or minimise these risks as part of their general environmental duty. Best practice guidance, including the Australian Signals Directorate’s Essential Eight mitigation strategies, can help strengthen cyber security.
Critical infrastructure operators have obligations under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, but all operators should assess their cyber security risks to protect their business and the environment.
More information on the DETSI website.
Sustainable Pumping Course
Rob Welke, aka The Pump Whisperer, will be delivering the final Brisbane presentation of his Sustainable Pumping course on 11-12 March before retiring at the end of 2025.
Register and pay direct at www.waterpumping.institute - just click on Book Now, find the Brisbane event, click on View Event and follow prompts.
QWD members can receive a 10% discount on the Brisbane course cost. Use discount code WP10OFF.
Drinking Water Regulation Workshop
The Water Supply Regulation team is conducting a Drinking Water Regulation workshop at the Civic Reception Room in Cairns on Tuesday 1 April 2025.
CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
End of Waste Code for Biochar - next iteration released
The latest iteration of the End of Waste Code for Biochar has been released for consultation, which closes on 28 March. This is the outcome of at least two years of work from DETSI and SWEAP members but especially our colleagues at Logan Water. DETSI are keen to push this forward to implementation.
The Code will set the resource quality criteria and lay out the conditions under which biosolids-derived biochar will be able to be beneficially reused, and sets out specific conditions for PFAS in recognition that wastewater treatment plants receive PFAS in wastewater from a range of domestic and industrial sources.
The latest draft was accompanied by the following:
[The EOW Code for Biochar] recognises that not all feedstocks will contain PFAS and only applies PFAS specific requirements to biochar produced from such feedstocks e.g. biosolids. For biochar produced for PFAS affected feedstocks, two reuse options are provided. These are:
- Biochar that complies with the unregulated use PFAS limits – allowed for unrestricted use; and
- Biochar that exceeds unregulated use PFAS limits – use this as a broad scale beneficial soil conditioning resource on lands in a more regulated setting including buffer zones and compliance with the maximum allowable soil contaminant concentration.
The MASCC that have been added to the conditions for use in soil for metals are equivalent or lower than requirements for Grade A classification under the EOW Code for Biosolids.
The MASCC for PFAS are overall significantly tighter than the current EOW Code for Biosolids limits and include separate previsions for known PFAS precursors.
qldwater will be holding a consultation session for its members on the latest draft. If you require further information or wish to be involved, please reach out to Dr Louise Reeves.
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