About the program
The Advanced Operational Support Program provides valuable assistance to local water utilities. At no cost to councils, it aims to address challenges faced by operators in adapting their training to specific water treatment infrastructure and water quality changes.
The program offers expert personnel, on-site assessment, advice, online monitoring solutions, and training to optimise water plant operations, helping operators improve their skills in treatment plant optimisation and effectively manage water quality.
The program aims to improve public health and safety in regional NSW by reducing drinking water quality risks. The program will achieve this by delivering key outcomes, including:
- reduced risk of water quality incidents
- enhanced local water utility capability to identify and respond to issues
- improved local water utility understanding of operational processes.
Outcomes from the program will inform future government support and collaboration with the sector to further reduce risks. The program is being delivered using a phased approach.
- Phase 1a: Specialist service provider development of online monitoring solutions (August 2023 – November 2023)
- Phase 1b: Onsite assessments delivered by the department (September 2023 – December 2023)
- Phase 2: Intensive onsite support (February 2024 – September 2024).
The application process
In June 2023 the department called for expressions of interest from local water utilities to participate in the program to help resolve water treatment plant operational risks and issues.
Eligible submissions were assessed against the following criteria:
- Safe and Secure Water Program water quality risk score
- existing treatment plant operational risks and issues
- plant critical control point performance, including online monitoring systems.
Assessments also considered other matters, including the scope and timing of any proposed future plant upgrades, and availability of operators to participate in the program.
The department formed a steering group to oversee the program and assess expressions of interest. This group consisted of representatives from the department, NSW Health, and Water Directorate to provide ongoing guidance and oversight throughout the process.
All applicants were notified of the outcome of their application in August 2023.
Successful participants
Following a rigorous assessment process, the below local water utility owned treatment plants were selected and have accepted offers to participate in the program.
| Local water utility name | Location of water treatment plant | Participating program phase |
|---|---|---|
| Armidale Shire Council | Guyra | 2 |
| Balranald Shire Council | Balranald | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Bourke Shire Council | Bourke | 2 |
| Cabonne Shire Council | Molong | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Central Darling Shire Council | Ivanhoe | 1b, 2 |
| Coonamble Shire Council | Coonamble | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Glen Innes Severn Council | Glen Innes | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Hay Shire Council | Hay | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Hilltops Shire Council | Boorowa | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Rylstone | 1a, 1b, 2 |
| Moree Plains Shire Council | Boggabilla | 1b, 2 |
| Murrumbidgee Council | Jerilderie | 1a, 1b, 2 |
