Attending panels and workshops during your time at Ozwater’19 is a chance to get more involved in the issues affecting the water sector, share ideas and ask questions.

We’ve picked out a few sessions to give you a taste of what’s on offer, but click here to view the full program.

Workshop 6. Thriving Communities Partnership presents:

Improving access and support for consumers with cognitive disabilities

Imagine being unable to buy your lunch or being hung up on when trying to ask a question about your water bill because you don’t sound the same as other people. For people with a cognitive disability, this is a daily reality.

Although water businesses don’t intentionally set out to exclude anyone, the way organisations provide products and services can sometimes result in barriers. But just like water is a human right, customers also have the right to make informed decisions about their services.

Facilitated by Voice at the Table and Ciara Sterling, CEO of Thriving Communities Partnership and the 2018 Water Professional of the Year, this workshop will give attendees the chance to hear from individuals with lived experience of cognitive disability and to get a better understanding of the barriers they face.

Come along to be better placed to make improvements in your own organisation by building empathy for those living with cognitive disabilities and gaining a better understanding of the ways we can improve.

Panel 5. University of Newcastle presents:

Microplastics – megaproblem?

Concerns about the occurrence, distribution and toxicology of microplastics has become a focus of worldwide public attention, but many questions remain unanswered. Meet a panel of experts who have been working to find answers and develop guidelines, and have some of your concerns addressed.

Workshop 9. Melbourne Water presents:

Climate change mitigation – making a difference

This workshop will focus on the positive actions that can help us move toward a carbon neutral economy. It will begin with a discussion about the effect of climate change on the resilience of a city’s water supply, the effect on water utility assets, challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of policy.

Attendees will then work through case studies based on greenhouse gas reduction actions being undertaken by water utilities, and will have the chance to ask questions during a panel session.

Panel 16. Ozwater presents:

PFAS and the water industry – regulation, industry response and treatment options

PFAS is a significant issue for the water sector in Australia and internationally, with problems around surface and groundwater drinking water sources, drainage and waterway management as well as sewage, recycled water and biosolids.

Facilitated by Dr David Cunliffe, Principal Water Quality Advisor at SA Health’s Public Health Services, this panel will look at the current state of regulation, case studies from utilities, exposure concerns and treatment options.

View all the panels and workshops here.