News

Melbourne Water has submitted its 2026–31 Price Submission to the State’s independent economic regulator – the Essential Services Commission (ESC), marking a pivotal moment in Melbourne's water future.  

In September, Melbourne Water celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP), a leader in sewerage management. The ETP treats nearly half of Melbourne’s sewage – about 400 million litres a day – while advancing wastewater treatment and sustainable energy production.

Melbourne Water has been named a finalist in five of six categories at the 2025 VIC Water Awards, recognising its staff and projects for innovation, research and development and organisational excellence.

Today’s announcement by the Victorian Government of the Victorian Water Security Plan is welcomed by Victoria’s five major water corporations: Barwon Water, Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water. 

Spectators at Rathmines Road Reserve Oval will have a new place to cheer on their local teams, thanks to the upgraded Hawthorn East Retarding Basin (HERB). This upgrade not only protects homes from flooding but also creates a lasting legacy for the community. A spectator shelter, integrated into the spillway wall overlooking the oval, transforms essential flood infrastructure into a space for the entire neighbourhood to enjoy.

September is Platypus Month. Classed as vulnerable, Greater Melbourne is home to only 1,000-3,000 platypuses. They face many threats, one of the greatest is ‘loopy litter’ with 4 per cent of the platypus population entangled at any one time. In the Werribee River, that figure spikes to a staggering 15 per cent.

Winter 2025 has been very dry, and this has contributed to the driest January-June streamflows on record, with catchment rainfall down 11.2 per cent on the 30-year (1995-2024) average and streamflow around half of last year’s levels. While this has taken storage volumes to their lowest levels for the end of winter since 2020, the Victorian Desalination Plant has stepped up, delivering over 16 billion litres since 1 July to keep Melbourne’s water storages topped up.

Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria have begun works to transform the southern section of Greenvale Reservoir Park into a vibrant green space, offering residents and visitors more chances to stay active, enjoy Victoria’s great beautiful outdoors and connect with nature right on their doorstep.  

Melbourne Water has released its Phase 1 Feedback Report for the Maribyrnong River Catchment Flood Mitigation Study, based on community engagement from May to June. The report captures community’s views and vision for the region’s future flood-risk management.

Melbourne Water is proud to announce the completion of the 5 West Nutrient Removal Plant (5W NRP), a groundbreaking upgrade to the Western Treatment Plant. This world-leading innovation will boost the city’s sewage treatment capacity while also reducing energy requirements and improving water quality.