The following awards are presented annually at the SA conference. WIOA welcomes all members to nominate themselves for the awards below.
This is the most prestigious award presented to operations staff in the South Australian Water industry annually. The award is presented to operators of network systems or water or wastewater treatment facilities to recognise excellent performance, initiative, and all-round attention to detail.
All employers of operators in South Australia to nominate appropriate “operations staff” to be considered for the award.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration the nominees:
- Should be a WIOA Member
- Must be employed in the South Australian water industry
- should have direct responsibility for operational decisions at community water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial water or wastewater plants
Assessment Criteria
Nominees should be employed in South Australia and should have direct responsibility for operational decisions within network systems or at community water and wastewater facilities
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 work, Health and Safety, and other regulatory responsibilities
- Initiative and innovation, demonstrating improved treatment and efficiency
The completed applications are judged by an independent panel nominated by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) and the winner of the South Australian Operator of the Year Award will be announced at a WIOA event annually.
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. This award is designed to provide encouragement to newwater industry employees by recognising excellent performance, initiative and all round attention to detail.
All employers of operators in South Australia to nominate appropriate “operations staff” to be considered for the award.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration the nominees:
- Should be a WIOA Member
- Must be employed in the South Australian water industry for less than 5 years
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.
Please provide the following with your nomination:
- One headshot image of the nominee (jpg or similar format)
- One image of the nominee at work (jpg or similar format)
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
Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in SA
Sponsored by Ixom
The Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in South Australia is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of SA’s drinking water and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
