Highlights of the Program
2 days business program:
Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.
SHOWCASING INNOVATION:
Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.
leaders talk:
Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
MULTIPLE STREAMS:
A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES:
Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.
roundtable discussion:
Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.
Program
Day 1 :
MONDAY, 9 FEBRUARY, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
FROM GREY TO GREEN: REIMAGINING WASTEWATER ASSETS FOR A RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE


Rohini Devkota
Toowoomba Regional Council
- Reframing wastewater infrastructure through eco-engineering and green asset repurposing
- Integrating nature-based solutions into long-term flood recovery and asset resilience plans
- Highlighting practical strategies from local government for sustainable infrastructure reform
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON TRANSFORMING WASTEWATER SYSTEMS FOR CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
10:10 - 10:30
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
- Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
- Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
- Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues - don't forget your business cards!
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUSTRALIAN SMART WATER UTILITIES
11:30 - 11:55
CASE STUDIES ON SUCCESSFUL END-USER INTEGRATION IN OPTIMAL WATER NETWORKS


Raniya Parappil
ACCIONA
- Structuring delivery models that align project goals with both utility and community needs
- Using demand profiles to inform treatment design, storage planning, and distribution strategy
- Applying performance-based operations to improve quality, energy use, and asset reliability
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ALIGNING NETWORK DESIGN WITH REAL-TIME COMMUNITY DEMAND
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE AUSTRALIAN SMART WATER UTILITIES EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
MBBR PACK FOR EMERGENCY WASTEWATER TREATMENT: ENSURING RESILIENCE AND COMPLIANCE


Fabrice Polizzi
Veolia
- Deploying modular MBBR tech to restore service for 15,000 residents after plant failure
- Achieving 99.8% uptime and BOD ≤15 mg/L using a containerized, operator-friendly solution
- Demonstrating cost-effective resilience with 60% savings and 72-hour emergency readiness
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON RAPID-DEPLOYMENT TREATMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE EMERGENCIES
14:00 - 14:25
REAPING OPERATIONAL AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REWARDS THROUGH IOT AND AI


Catherine Caruana-McManus
Meshed IoT
- Leveraging IoT and AI-driven predictive maintenance to improve utility sustainability
- Advancing real-time monitoring, leak detection, and smarter asset performance management
- Preparing for large-scale IoT networks and machine learning to enhance service outcomes
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON UTILIZING IOT AND AI TO TRANSFORM WATER UTILITY OPERATIONS
14:30 - 15:00
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:00 - 15:25
BEHIND-THE-METER BATTERY STORAGE – A PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WATER UTILITIES


Olivia Laskowski
ABB
- Exploring battery systems as a proven strategy to reduce peak tariffs and energy exposure
- Explaining system design, cost savings, and operational integration within water utilities
- Sharing lessons from real-world projects, including sizing, tariffs, and infrastructure fit
15:25 - 15:30
Q&A SESSION ON ENERGY STORAGE STRATEGIES FOR WATER UTILITY COST REDUCTION
15:30 - 15:55
LEVERAGING SMART TECHNOLOGY TO MITIGATE SOURCE WATER RISKS


Ebie Holst
Cleveland Water Alliance
- Deploying 20,000 km2 of telemetry and IoT devices to build the most connected freshwater body
- Delivering over 1M annual data points to forecast quality, levels, weather, and basin conditions
- Hosting innovators to trial AI, sensors, telecom, power alternatives, and data infrastructure
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON APPLYING SMART TECHNOLOGY TO MANAGE SOURCE WATER CHALLENGES
16:00 - 16:25
LEAK DETECTION IN SMART WATER NETWORKS USING IOT ACOUSTIC SENSORS


Wei Zeng
University of Adelaide
- Presenting a leak detection framework using ML, analytics, and acoustic signal data
- Deploying a SaaS platform integrating algorithms for city-scale leak detection networks
- Demonstrating international trials validating the solution in complex urban conditions
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON CLOUD-BASED ACOUSTIC METHODS FOR SCALABLE LEAK DETECTION
16:30 - 17:30
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY, 2026
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
THE RESILICO APP – AN INNOVATIVE FLOOD PERFORMANCE & PREPAREDNESS TOOL


Julie Hucker
Watertight International
- Introducing a real-time digital tool for tracking flood resilience at property level
- Managing flood plans, PFR installations, and maintenance in one integrated platform
- Enabling auditable records for insurers, risk managers, and asset protection teams
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON DIGITAL TOOLS FOR PROPERTY FLOOD RESILIENCE AND RISK PLANNING
10:10 - 10:35
DESIGN OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC KITS (MULTIPLEX PCR) FOR RAPID DETECTION OF WATERBORNE MICROORGANISMS


Houshyar Akbari Khalilabad
Water & Wastewater of Khorasan Razavi Province
- Developing PCR kits for rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple waterborne pathogens
- Replacing outdated methods with faster, more specific and accurate molecular diagnostics
- Targeting bacteria, parasites, and viruses with multiplex kits for field and lab use
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING RAPID MICROBIAL DETECTION IN WATER USING PCR KITS
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
APPLICATION OF LOAD (DEMAND) RESEARCH IN THE WATER SECTOR


Shahab Qureshi
Spatial Decisions
- Leveraging smart meter data to adapt power sector demand research for water utilities
- Translating demand insights for forecasting, pricing, theft prevention, and operational decisions
- Optimising resource allocation and policy evaluation to improve sector efficiency and adoption
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON UTILIZING DEMAND RESEARCH TO ENHANCE WATER SECTOR OPERATIONS
11:30 - 11:55
THE ASIA-PACIFIC SMART WATER METERING SOLUTIONS MARKET


Ivan Fernandez
Frost & Sullivan
- Forecasting adoption of smart meters across APAC in response to climate and urban pressures
- Mapping value chain trends from hardware to data platforms and customer engagement tools
- Evaluating key market drivers, barriers, and opportunities in regional utility ecosystems
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING SMART METERING STRATEGIES ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
12:00 - 12:15
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
12:15 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
Become a Speaker & Join the Conversation
SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
By submitting, you agree to receive email communications from the event organizers, including upcoming promotions and discounted tickets, news, and access to related events.