Our women in science: leading the way in water sustainability

A unique combination of interests - biology, history and the environment – turned out to be the perfect mix for Toni’s career, which has taken her along multiple pathways and far beyond what she thought was possible.

As Team Leader of Recycled Water Operations, Toni’s day changes with the seasons.

In the summer, she heads up the team that makes sure that GWW’s three farms are watered, and she manages the recycled water supply to about 100 sites, who use the water for a variety of things, from growing Christmas trees to making sure thirsty horses have a drink.

As the weather cools down, Toni’s focus shifts to assurance of environmental compliance, as well as team strategy, planning and maintenance activities.

There are challenges, though remaining focused on the environmental benefits and productive problem solving keeps Toni motivated.

“Turning up each day to use all my skills and stretch my abilities to do good keeps me feeling hopeful and engaged. I get really excited about bringing people together from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to find ways to resolve tricky issues – taking people from conflict to consensus gives me a huge kick.”

Recycled water is classified according to how it can be used. There are three categories of recycled water – classes A, B and C. Our recycled water plants mostly produce nutrient-rich class B and C recycled water, and Toni’s team coordinates the safe and reliable supply of this water to industries that can use it.

“Our plants supply over 5000ML of water each year for agricultural and industrial use. That’s 2000 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of water that isn’t going to our rivers and the bay, instead supporting local industries and recycling all the good stuff that goes down the drain.”

Our service area is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia so the amount of water our plants process is increasing each year. Toni’s team is integral in connecting this recycled water to businesses who need it and ensuring our supplies are safe, reliable and used appropriately, including on our own farms.

“Recycling our wastewater and finding beneficial ways to reuse it isn’t just good for our waterways: farming with recycled water means more rain water stays in our rivers, farmers need less fertiliser and can grow higher yield crops. This benefits the environment, local economies and communities. It means public parks, gardens and sporting facilities stay green no matter the weather.”

As Team Leader of Recycled Water Operations, Toni’s day changes with the seasons.

Toni’s team are always looking at ways to expand the water reuse program to meet our region’s growing population. The new Western Irrigation Network will be our largest recycled water scheme and should deliver over 8,000 million litres of recycled water to farmers each year by 2045.

Toni’s work has a wide reach across both GWW and our service area, from Woodend to Melton and everywhere in between.

“I get to work with teams and business areas right across GWW, and with our irrigation business partners, doing something that helps protect waterways, support farming and help manage the effects of climate change on our communities.”

Find out more about recycled water.