TAG - you’re it

As the WSAA searched for more ways to service its customers, it decided that the Technology Approval Group (TAG) was the answer.

The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is the peak industry body for the Australian Urban Water Industry. Our members provide water and sewerage services to approximately 16 million Australians and many of Australia’s largest industrial and commercial enterprises.

WSAA felt that an innovation forum of leading water utilities would provide a positive addition to the wide range of member services that the association already offers. In 2012, the Technology Approval Group (TAG) came to the Australian urban water industry through a partnership between WSAA and Isle Utilities.

The TAG model was first launched in the UK in November 2005, and over the last five years it has gone from strength to strength. It accelerates the market uptake of ‘step‐change’ technologies by engaging industry during the precommercial stages of development and also by leveraging external investment from venture capital investors.

The primary aim of a water utility is to provide clean, safe and sustainable water and sewerage services to its customers. With environmental standards becoming more stringent, and with the increasing pressure on water resources, capital budgets and rising operational costs, it is clear that the adoption of new technological solutions is vital to achieving this aim. However, very few water utilities have the means to invest directly in the development of new technologies.

Furthermore, financial constraints among members of the supply chain mean that it is becoming increasingly difficult for technology developers to find a suitable partner. TAG addresses a gap in the market by promoting strategic level innovation and supporting the development and commercialisation of new technology.

The first TAG meeting in Australia was held in Sydney on 13 February 2012 and was attended by 33 attendees representing 25 water utilities from around Australia. The group was presented with five technologies with direct relevance to the industry, including technologies to:

• provide real-time monitoring and alerting for the condition of critical water pipelines;
• provide a disinfection system using the synergistic effects of ultraviolet light and ultrasound to produce a bactericidal effect;
• reduce kWh consumption and therefore electricity costs and carbon emissions;
• provide a cost-effective alternative for the prevention of sewer corrosion and odours;
• provide a trenchless solution for curing leaks and cracks in urban water mains as both a leakage minimisation tool and as an alternative to mains replacement.

The inaugural meeting was energetic and thought to be highly successful by the participating utilities. WSAA will again be taking a leading role in the continuation of the initiative and the next meeting is planned for July 2012, when different technology companies will have the opportunity to make presentations to the group.

This new forum is certain to benefit both the urban water industry and the start-up companies, which will have unprecedented access to the industry’s major decision makers.

As Executive Director of WSAA, Adam Lovell provides national leadership in policy positions for the Australian urban water sector on a broad range of regulatory issues. Adam is a Board member of the National Centre of Excellence for Desalination, the WateReuse Research Foundation and the Global Water Research Coalition, and is also a member of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Urban Water Stakeholder Reference Panel and the National Health and Medical Research Council Water Quality Advisory Committee.