About Us - More

Who We Are

SA Water Innovation (SAWI) is an independent, prevention-focused water quality initiative based in South Australia.

We exist to help protect rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters by reducing the pollutants, nutrients and fine particulates that drive environmental damage before they reach sensitive ecosystems.

Our work is grounded in science, practical engineering and real-world deployment — not theory.

What We Believe

At SAWI, we believe:

• Prevention is more effective than response.
• What enters stormwater and waterways determines what happens offshore.
• If we reduce pollution at source, we reduce the risk of blooms, habitat loss and ecological collapse.
• Communities deserve solutions, not just monitoring and reporting.

Too much effort is currently placed on:

• measuring damage after it has occurred, and
• managing public impact once ecosystems are already stressed.

Not enough is being done to:

• intercept pollution before it enters the environment, and
• protect near-shore habitats and nursery areas.

What We Do

SAWI focuses on practical, deployable interventions that reduce environmental risk. Our work centres on three core areas:

1. Stormwater and Urban Runoff Interception

We work to intercept:

• nutrients
• fine sediments
• microplastics
• hydrocarbons and other pollutants

before they are discharged into rivers, lakes and the ocean.

This reduces the fuel that feeds harmful algal blooms and ecosystem decline.

2. Near-Shore and Habitat Protection

We support measures that protect:

• seagrass beds
• reef systems
• fish nursery areas
• sensitive coastal zones

by reducing the pollutant load reaching these environments.

This is about protecting what cannot be replaced.

3. Prevention of Secondary and Ongoing Risk

We recognise that:

• toxins can remain after visible blooms fade, and
• conditions can change quickly with tides, temperature and weather.

Our approach is designed to reduce the material that carries these risks, not just observe them.

How We Operate

SAWI operates as a delivery and coordination platform, not just an advisory group.

We work through:

• local councils
• state agencies
• research partners
• engineering and environmental service providers

to design, deploy and manage prevention-focused projects.

Our Operating Model

1. Identify risk pathways
   (stormwater outlets, catchments, near-shore discharge points, industrial interfaces)
2. Design appropriate interception or protection measures
3. Deploy using qualified third-party contractors and partners
4. Monitor performance with scientific and technical support
5. Report outcomes to stakeholders and communities

Our Approach

• Non-chemical
• Low-impact
• Reversible
• Environmentally compatible
• Scalable from pilot to program

We do not promote in-water biocides or ecosystem disruption.
Our focus is physical interception, prevention and protection.

Science and Testing

SAWI works in collaboration with:

• research institutions
• independent laboratories
• environmental scientists

including testing undertaken with SARDI and other accredited partners to ensure that interventions are:

• effective
• safe
• and evidence-based.

What We Are Not

SAWI is not:

• a regulatory body
• a protest group
• a political organisation

We are a solutions-focused initiative built to help government, councils and communities reduce environmental risk.

Why We Exist

We exist because:

• harmful algal blooms are increasing,
• coastal ecosystems are under growing pressure, and
• current systems are too reactive.

We believe South Australia can lead in water quality prevention and coastal protection — but only if we act earlier, not later.

Our Position

Our position is simple:

Protect the water before it reaches the sea.
Stop the damage before it happens.
Reduce the risk, don’t just report on it.