North East Water secures industry top gong
8 March 2024
North East Water has taken out a prestigious water industry award, with senior water treatment specialist Dylan Hetherington named 2024 Victorian Operator of the Year.
Dylan was acknowledged with the award at the WIOA (Water Industry Operators Association) Victorian Water Industry Conference recently held in Bendigo. He is based in Beechworth and is the lead coordinator for 20 water treatment plants and 16 staff across the corporation’s service area.
General Manager Operations, John Day, said that Dylan’s commitment to ensuring the delivery of safe and reliable water to customers has earned him this prized accolade.
"Dylan has been with North East Water for 14 years, and his initiative, attention to detail and operational expertise certainly make him a worthy winner of this award", Mr Day said. “He has shown fantastic leadership, not just in managing our people, but in automation and innovation projects.
“Dylan introduced artificial intelligence modelling to predict treatment performance and asset failure, along with robotic cameras for pipeline inspections and digital sound monitoring for water leak detection. All of these projects have resulted in cost savings that help to keep customer bills low.”
“He has also shown extraordinary leadership in emergency management situations. In particularly, after a major landslide threatened the water supply to the township of Mt Beauty, Dylan led a team to install a temporary supply pipe and pump over the Christmas period to keep the town supplied with water.”
Adding to the tributes, Managing Director Jo Murdoch extended her congratulations, highlighting Dylan's dedication as a shining example of the high standards upheld at North East Water.
"Dylan’s achievement mirrors our commitment to excellence in providing essential water services to the community," Ms Murdoch said.
The award not only brings prestige and recognition to Dylan but also provides an opportunity for professional development and networking within the water industry when he joins the 2024 WIOA tour of New Zealand.
Dylan was joined at the awards ceremony by Corryong based operator Elle Hamilton who was nominated by North East Water for the Young Operator of the Year award.
Ms Murdoch added, “We celebrate both Dylan and Elle, and all of our exceptional operators who make great water right across our service region every day of the year.”
L-R: Brock Mulroyan (Barwon Water) - Highly Commended, Dylan Hetherington (North East Water) - Operator of the Year 2024, Jo Lim (CEO - VicWater), Wes Wilkie (Goulburn Valley Water) - Highly Commended.