WIOA welcomes all members to nominate themselves for an award.
The completed applications are judged by an independent panel nominated by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA). and the winner of the WIOA NSW Operator of the Year Award is announced at the WIOA NSW Conference and Exhibition Gala Awards Dinner annually
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 19 August
On this page
This is the most prestigious award presented at WIOA NSW conference annually. The award is presented to operators of water or wastewater treatment facilities to recognise excellent performance, initiative and all-round attention to detail.
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 19 August
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration the nominees must:
- be a WIOA Member
- be employed in New South Wales and should have direct responsibility for operational decisions at community water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial water or wastewater plants.
- Nominees should have demonstrated a continued high level of performance, initiative and all-around attention to detail in the execution of their duties.
Assessment Criteria
The following features are taken into account in considering worthy recipients:
- Continuing education/training achievement
- Overall plant or system management and condition
- Demonstrated attention to Occupational Health and Safety and other regulatory responsibilities
- Initiative and innovation, demonstrating improved treatment and efficiency
Prize
- a framed certificate to keep
- an all expenses paid opportunity to attend WIOA’s annual Tour of New Zealand and the WIOG Conference.
Past Winners
Coming soon
From 2026 onwards, this award replaces the Award formerly known as ‘Young Operator of the Year’.
Member feedback has indicated that Operators of all ages are entering the industry, so we have removed the upper the age limit of 30 years. To be eligible for this award, a nominee must have been employed in the NSW water industry for less than 5 years.
This award, generously sponsored by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is designed to provide encouragement to young water industry employees by recognising excellent performance, initiative and all round attention to detail.
We invite all employers of operators within NSW/ACT to consider putting in a nomination for one of their “operations staff” to be considered for this Award.
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 19 August
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration the nominees must:
- be a WIOA member.
- have been employed in the NSW water industry for less than 5 years.
- be responsible for operating community water and wastewater treatment plants/ or industrial water or wastewater plants, operation and maintenance or construction of water and wastewater reticulation networks etc.
Assessment Criteria
Nominations are judged on submissions from employers covering:
- Commitment to and demonstrating a strong OHS ethic in all work performed
- Commitment to undertaking training and then implementation of skills learned into the workplace
- Commitment to teamwork and following enterprise SOP’s etc
- Commitment to meeting Corporation and regulatory requirements in the course of all work
- Demonstrated use of initiative or suggestions leading to efficiency or safety improvements
- Any other relevant industry-based achievements.
Prize
- an all expenses paid opportunity to attend WIOA’s annual Tour of New Zealand and the WIOG Conference.
- a framed certificate to keep.
Past Winners
Coming soon
This award is offered as an incentive to encourage “grass roots” operational staff to share their knowledge and experience.
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 19 August
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration presenters:
must be WIOA members, with the Primary Author employed in any sector of the water industry and working in an operations role.
Assessment Criteria
WIOA selects a number of judges at each conference who watch all the presentations made over the two days. They score each of the papers based on:
- The content and layout of the written technnical paper;
- The originality of the ideas portrayed;
- The use of visual aids during the presentation;
- The verbal presentation and whether or not the author sticks to the allotted time; and
- The demeanor of the presenter including how well they answer any questions.
Prizes
The prizes are:
- 1st Place: Travel, accommodation and a full delegate registration to attend another WIOA conference in Australia to deliver the paper again (to the value of $1,750)
- 2nd Place: Complimentary delegate registration (non-transferrable) to a WIOA conference of their choice within the next 12 months (valued at $915)
- 3rd Place: Complimentary delegate registration (non-transferrable) to a WIOA conference of their choice within the next 12 months (valued at $915)
Please note: In the case of joint presentations, only one presenter will be eligible to receive the prize. Upon winning, it is at the discretion of the presenting company to decide whether:
- The eligible presenter will present solo, or;
- An additional presenter will accompany the prize winner, with all associated costs covered by the company.
Past Winners
L
NSW Best Paper Overall
Sponsorship Available.
This is an open category award, and all platform paper presenters are automatically considered.
The winner will be determined based on the highest overall score awarded by the judging panel.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this award, presenters must be current WIOA members and may hold either an operational or non-operational role.
Assessment Criteria
- The content and layout of the written technnical paper;
- The originality of the ideas portrayed;
- The use of visual aids during the presentation;
- The verbal presentation and whether or not the author sticks to the allotted time; and
- The demeanor of the presenter including how well they answer any questions.
Prize
- The eligible presenter will present solo, or;
- An additional presenter will accompany the prize winner, with all associated costs covered by the company
Past Winners
Coming soon
Ron Bergmeier Award for Best Exhibition Site in NSW
Sponsored by Utility Magazine
This award recognizes the best exhibition display at the conference. Judges from WIOA and Utility Magazine evaluate innovation, presentation, and engagement with delegates and visitors.
Prize: $2,000 half-page color advertisement in Utility magazine and a 12 month WIOA Corporate membership valued at $400
The Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in NSW/ACT competition is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of NSW’s drinking water and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
Eligibility
- To participate in this competition, you must be a water provider that provides water to a community.
- Your sample needs to be collected from a customer tap within the network.
- You must be the last company that has treated that supply.
- You must not have been issued with a water quality breach notice for that water supply region within the previous 12-month period.
Prize
Winner will receive:
- An individual trophy to keep
- Co-branded signage to display at the winning water treatment plant
- An invitation to participate in the National Best Tasting Tap Water Competition at the end of the year
Past Winners
Coming soon
NSW Main Tapping Competition
Sponsored by Reece Civil + Viadux
The Water Main Tapping Competition originated in the Australian water industry in the late 1980’s. WIOA in conjunction with Reece Civil & Viadux is thrilled to deliver Main Tapping Competition at the annual NSW conference.
A water main tapping is the point where the supply to a private property is connected to the water main. This process is conducted on a live water main, avoiding the need for a network shutdown that would then result in a water outage for the customers.
Entry requirements
This event is held on-site over both days of the NSW conference.
To register for an upcoming event you will need:
- A name for your team (which includes the organisation you are representing)
- The names of the 2 competitors, and contact details
- The name and contact details of your approving authority
- Details of your preferred charity
- Please include if your competitors are registered for the full event or only a single day (this will determine who will compete Wednesday or Thursday)
Please note:
- Spots will be allocated on a first-in best-dressed basis as there are limited spots available.
- Travel and accommodation to and from the event is the responsibility of the entrants/ their employers
Prize
The winning team will receive an individual trophy and the opportunity to nominate a local charity to receive a donation of $1,000 from the Sponsors Reece Civil + Viadux.
They will also be invited to participate in the National competition, with flights, accommodation, transfers included.
Past Winners
Coming soon
