Melbourne Water supplies Melbourne with some of the best drinking water in the world, but it also delivers a wide range of important community projects that attract some of the country’s leading scientific minds, and many of those roles are filled by women.
133 years ago, Melbourne Water started transferring water across the city from what is now known as the Maroondah Dam, via a network of aqueducts, now that same structure has evolved into one of the city’s most impressive responsive water supply systems.
A Melbourne Water waterways monitoring program has led to the discovery of a 24-year-old male platypus – the oldest ever recorded in the wild - astounding researchers and biologists.
In a cutting-edge initiative, Melbourne Water is trialling autonomous drones to monitor and safeguard the city’s world-class drinking water.
An exciting scientific discovery was made when eight-year-old Alice Dutton, a budding citizen scientist from Tecoma, recorded the call of the threatened Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) during a Birrarung Riverfest event at Spadoni’s Billabong in Yering. According to Melbourne Water’s frog data, the species has not been recorded in this location for 24 years.
"This acknowledgment from the people of Australia rightly memorialises your courage and contribution.”
Melbourne’s Annual Water Outlook 2025 shows that water storage levels are expected to remain secure for the year ahead.
After four years of above-average rainfall Melbourne’s reservoirs are full, with the latest Annual Water Outlook showing current storages sitting at 88.4%. But history has shown that they can drop quickly.
With increased discarded fishing lines, illegal yabby traps being found along the Werribee River, and the rising threat of invasive Carp to native species, Melbourne Water has devised a free community event to tackle two problems simultaneously.
As juvenile platypus prepare to leave their burrows for the first time during late summer and autumn, Melbourne Water encourages dog owners to do their bit to protect the vulnerable species. Dog obedience demonstrations, guided platypus walks and free coffee (including puppuccinos!) will offered at a free Melbourne Water event in Hume promoting responsible pet ownership in and around Melbourne’s waterways.