Australian water industry unites for Walk for Water 2025

WaterAid Australia’s annual fundraising event, Walk for Water, is running from 6–10 October 2025.

The event invites Australians to walk, run or ride for five days to raise funds and awareness for the 703 million people globally who still live without access to clean water.¹

Around the world, women and girls walk long and often unsafe distances to collect water. This time-consuming task affects education, limits job opportunities and causes serious health and safety risks.

Walk for Water provides Australians the chance to ‘step into their shoes’, raising vital funds to help communities access clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

“South East Water understands the impact of partnership in helping our neighbours to access clean water and sanitation and it’s why we’re proud to again join Walk for Water,” said Water Leader Karen Lau, General Manager, Strategy and Stakeholder, South East Water. “Our employees look forward to Walk for Water each year. They see the role it plays in bringing focus and meaning to our purpose of healthy water for life and in helping WaterAid Australia to enable this beyond our borders.”

Last year, WaterAid directly reached over 1.1 million people with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, across households, communities, healthcare centres and schools.

“Water issues are global issues and there are huge challenges facing the entire planet and many communities locked out of opportunities because of lack of access to basic necessities such as safe drinking water and sanitation,” said fellow Water Leader Gillian Blythe, CEO of Water New Zealand. “As a water leader, I'm motivated to support any efforts to increase access to water for deprived people across the world and to improve quality of life. Walking for water is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved.”

Participants can walk solo, with friends or as a team, setting their own distance goals and fundraising targets. Whether it’s 5 km or 50 km, every step taken helps create a future where everyone, everywhere has access to clean water.

“The support of the water sector is absolutely vital in our mission to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to clean water,” said WaterAid Australia Director of Community Engagement Teresa Ayles. “Their commitment, through events like Walk for Water, demonstrates the power of collaboration in tackling the global water crisis and creating lasting change for communities most in need.”

_{1. WHO/UNICEF (2023). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000–2022: special focus on gender. Available here (accessed 11 Jul 2023).}

Image supplied by WaterAid Australia.