Go behind the scenes with Barwon Water

Barwon Water is expanding its offering of tours and presentations for community groups, providing adults with access to sessions that have long been popular with the region’s school students.

General Manager, Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said Barwon Water was excited to expand its education program and provide lifelong learning opportunities for people to visit some of the region’s reservoirs and treatment plants and hear first-hand what it takes to supply the region with secure water and sewerage services.

Ms Kendall also said the long-term shift towards a hotter, drier climate, coupled with warnings about a possible shift to El Niño conditions in the coming months are driving strong community interest in how Barwon Water is ensuring a secure water future for our growing region.

“We’re keen to support our community to understand how we can work together to ensure our region is resilient to key challenges such as climate change and population growth,” Ms Kendall said.

There are a range of tours available, including some within a 30-minute drive from central Geelong, such as Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Connewarre.

Free guided tours are available for not-for-profit community groups and guest speakers are also available to speak about the challenges and opportunities of delivering a safe, secure and sustainable water future. Both tours and presentations can be tailored to meet the interests of different groups.

Ms Kendall said the organisation is proud to offer the tours and talks.

“These tours and talks are in addition to Barwon Water’s long-standing, comprehensive education program for teachers and students which has engaged with 1,725 students so far this year.”

Bookings for Barwon Water’s community and schools’ education programs are essential. For bookings and more information please contact Emma Homes, Community Education Officer on 1300 656 007 or email Education@barwonwater.vic.gov.au.


Barwon Water Community Education Officer Emma Homes (right) provides a tour of the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant.