Our Water Connection

Our Water Connection

Ready for a podcast that makes waves? Welcome to Our Water Connection, where education, communication, and connection converge to increase your water curiosity! 💧 Our Water Connection is not just a podcast; it's a mission to showcase the water industry as a vital force in society. We're breaking down the barriers of complexity to make water knowledge accessible to all.

  1. 5d ago

    43 | What Does True Partnership with First Nations People in Water Really Look Like? | Professor Phil Duncan

    This episode of Our Water Connection features a powerful conversation with Professor Phil Duncan about what true partnership with First Nations communities in water management can look like. Together, we explore why traditional engagement approaches often fall short, how cultural science and Western science can work side by side, and what it takes to move from consultation to genuine co-design. Phil shares practical examples from projects like the Brewarrina fish passage, reflections from more than 40 years working across communities and government, and a hopeful vision for the future of the water sector. This episode is a call for curiosity, courage, and collaboration, especially for the next generation of water professionals. From creating safe spaces for difficult conversations to empowering communities to lead, Phil challenges us to rethink how projects are planned, delivered, and connected to Country. We also discuss: What the water sector has learned — and still needs to improve — in working with First Nations communitiesThe meaning of cultural science and two-way knowledge exchangeWhy young professionals should not be afraid to challenge the status quoThe importance of community ownership in water projectsHow purpose-built teams can shape a more inclusive future for water managementThrough stories, reflections, and practical insights, this conversation invites us to think differently about water, leadership, and the relationships needed to care for Country together. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    36 min

  2. Mar 15

    42 | How do engineers work with communities to solve water challenges? | Podcasthon 2026

    This special episode of Our Water Connection is part of Podcasthon, a global movement where podcasters spotlight organisations working to make the world better. To mark the occasion, we’re exploring the work of Engineers Without Borders Australia, an organisation that shows engineering is not just about technical solutions, but about people, partnerships, and long-term impact. We are joined by Jack Nugent, Senior Manager for International Engineering Programs at EWB, and Meg Cummins, a water engineer at Aurecon who spent a year volunteering in Cambodia. Together we discuss: What Engineers Without Borders doesWhy community-led engineering mattersWater and sanitation challenges across the Asia–PacificWhat volunteering can teach young engineersWhat the water sector can learn from humanitarian engineeringWe explored what it really means to engineer with communities rather than for them, and how humanitarian engineering experiences can reshape our thinking about water, development, and the role of engineers in society. This conversation is about listening, collaboration, and designing solutions that truly last. Get involved Interested in supporting or learning more about Engineers Without Borders? Visit: https://www.ewb.org.au There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering and joining local chapters to supporting their programs. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    40 min

  3. 10/19/2025

    41 | How Are Young Water Professionals Bringing Water into Focus? | Sam Skinner, Chelsea Hayward, Jess Bohorquez and Kevin Werksman

    What’s keeping the water industry up at night? And how can young professionals help bring water into focus this National Water Week? In this Season Two Finale, we bring together three generations of AWA Young Water Professionals of the Year: Chelsea Hayward (2023), Sam Skinner (2024), and Jess Bohorquez (2025) our host, for a special conversation on the challenges, opportunities, and impact of YWPs across the sector. From tackling water security and climate resilience to attracting new talent and advocating beyond the industry, this episode dives into how the next generation is driving change and shaping the future of water. To round out the conversation, AWA President Kevin Werksman joins the discussion, sharing reflections on leadership, visibility, and the role of initiatives like the Chris Davis AM Fellowship, which has supported this season and helped secure the podcast’s future. Recorded across Kaurna Country, Naarm (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Cammeraygal Country, this National Water Week special episode celebrates the people and ideas bringing water into focus for all of us. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    1h 11m

  4. Season 2, Episode 41 Trailer

    Trailer Ep 41 | How Are Young Water Professionals Bringing Water into Focus?

    What keeps the water industry up at night?  How can young water professionals shape the future of our sector?  And how do we make sure everyone (not just those of us in the industry) truly values water? Tune in NEXT WEEK for the Season Two Finale Episode with: ✨ Chelsea Hayward (2023 YWP of the Year), process engineer at Jacobs and global volunteer currently based in Cambodia. ✨ Sam Skinner (2024 YWP of the Year), Associate Process Engineer at Aurecon and leader in sustainable water innovation. With the special appearance of Kevin Werksman, President of the Australian Water Association! Tune in for inspiration, insights, and some honest reflections on where the water sector is headed and the role of the next generation in getting us there. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    1 min

  5. 09/28/2025

    40 | What does true innovation look like in the water sector? | Dr Piers Clark

    What does real innovation look like in the water sector, and what’s holding it back? In this special 40th episode of Our Water Connection, we celebrate a unique milestone with a cross-podcast connection! Our host, Jess Bohorquez, was recently invited to be the guest on Episode 40 of Executive Exchange, an Isle Utilities podcast and to mark the occasion, we have invited their host, Dr. Piers Clark, to join us! Piers is a global leader in water innovation. As the founder and former Chairman of Isle Utilities, he has worked with over 350 utilities around the world to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. From Thames Water to private equity and the creation of the pioneering Technology Approval Group (TAG), Piers brings unmatched insight into what it takes to drive real change in the water sector. In this episode, we explore: What innovation means in the water sectorWhy it's so hard to scale new technologiesThe role of regulation, risk, and leadership in enabling innovationWhat sets successful innovators apartAnd Piers' message to the next generation of water professionalsThis episode was recorded on Kaurna Country. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    33 min

  6. 09/14/2025

    39 | What is Cryptosporidium? | Dr Yulia Shutova

    How do we protect our drinking water from one of the smallest but most stubborn threats? In this episode of Our Water Connection, Dr Yulia Shutova shares her expertise on Cryptosporidium — a microscopic parasite that has challenged water utilities worldwide. With her background in water treatment and advanced monitoring, Yulia unpacks how the industry tackles this pathogen and keeps our water safe. We discuss: What Cryptosporidium is and why it’s so difficult to treatKey lessons learned from past outbreaks in Australia and overseasHow water treatment plants monitor and control for CryptosporidiumRecent innovations and future research directionsThe role of collaboration across science, utilities, and regulationWe mentioned the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines quite a bit on this episode - you can have a look at them here: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines We also talked about a talk by Professor Karl G. Linden. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA. Learn how the water sector stays one step ahead of invisible threats and why vigilance is key to keeping our drinking water safe. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    31 min

  7. 08/31/2025

    38 | What is Integrated Water Management? | Celeste Morgan

    Can we redesign the way cities use water, not just to save it, but to reuse it, regenerate it, and make our communities more liveable? In this episode of Our Water Connection, we explore how Integrated Water Management (IWM) is changing the way we plan and build our cities. We speak with Celeste Morgan, Arup’s IWM Lead for Australasia and 2025 Australian Water Professional of the Year, about what IWM really means, how it’s reshaping infrastructure, and why it’s key to building circular and climate-resilient cities. From stormwater reuse to governance challenges, this conversation brings together policy, planning, and personal reflections on how to shift from siloed systems to integrated thinking. Tune in to hear: What integrated water management is and how it works in practiceHow our cities can become more circular and climate-resilientWhy changing how we value water infrastructure is essentialThis episode was recorded in Kaurna Country and Wurundjeri Boonwurrung Country. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    32 min

  8. 08/17/2025

    37 | How Do Operators Keep Recycled Water Flowing in Regional Communities? | Ben Evans

    How does wastewater become a resource for farms, parks, and industry? And who makes it happen? In this episode of Our Water Connection, we shine a spotlight on water operators, the unsung heroes who, in this case, turn wastewater into a valuable resource for parks, farms, and industries. We are joined by Ben Evans, Lead Operator at South East Water and 2025 WIOA Victorian Operator of the Year. With over 37 years of hands-on experience across regional Victoria, Ben shares how recycled water is produced, why it matters for local communities, and what life is really like behind the scenes at a wastewater treatment plant. From technical challenges to community impact, this episode celebrates the essential role of operators in regional water resilience. 👷‍♂️ Go behind the scenes of wastewater operations ♻️ Learn how recycled water is safely produced and reused 🌾 Hear why it’s a game-changer for regional communities This episode was recorded in Kaurna Country and the Kulin Nation. Send us a message! 🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊 #OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy Follow us: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 YouTube Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

    24 min
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About

Ready for a podcast that makes waves? Welcome to Our Water Connection, where education, communication, and connection converge to increase your water curiosity! 💧 Our Water Connection is not just a podcast; it's a mission to showcase the water industry as a vital force in society. We're breaking down the barriers of complexity to make water knowledge accessible to all.

Information

  • Creator
    Our Water Connection
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Our Water Connection
  • Show Website
    Our Water Connection