Health and Public Sectors

About this Sector

The Health and Public Sectors encompass hospitals, aged care facilities, community health infrastructure, and public institutions that rely on safe, sustainable water and environmental management. This sector is critical for maintaining public health, hygiene, and operational resilience, and it includes water supply systems, plumbing, recycled water networks, cooling towers, and sanitation systems. Effective management ensures protection against waterborne diseases and environmental risks while supporting the well-being of patients, residents, staff, and the wider community.

Challenges facing the sector

Australia’s health and public sectors face multiple challenges, including:

Waterborne Pathogens and Contaminants – Managing risks from Legionella, lead, mould, and microbial contamination in complex facility water systems.
Aging Infrastructure – Upgrading hospital and aged care plumbing, wastewater, and water treatment systems to meet modern safety and compliance standards.
Regulatory Compliance – Keeping pace with evolving standards and guidelines for water quality, hygiene, and public safety.
Climate and Environmental Pressures – Adapting facilities to extreme weather, drought, and heat while maintaining safe and sustainable water services.
Operational and Risk Management – Ensuring facility managers have the tools, monitoring systems, and training to prevent water-related health hazards.

How WQHN contributes solutions

The Water Quality and Health Network (WQHN) supports the health and public sectors by providing a national platform for professional development, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Our sector-focused events, workshops, and seminars help stakeholders:

Stay Informed – Updates on water quality standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging public health risks.
Manage Risks – Guidance on monitoring, auditing, and mitigating contamination in potable, non-potable, and recycled water systems.
Enhance Facility Management – Tools and knowledge for maintaining safe water infrastructure in hospitals, aged care, and public institutions.
Promote Collaboration – Networking with government agencies, environmental scientists, engineers, and sector specialists to share insights and best practices.
Discover Innovation – Exposure to new technologies, solutions, and strategies for water efficiency, quality assurance, and sustainable facility operation.

Who should attend these events?

WQHN health and public sector events are designed for professionals and organisations responsible for ensuring safe, sustainable, and compliant water and environmental management within health and public facilities, including:

Hospital Executives & Facility Managers – overseeing safe water operations in complex health environments.
Aged Care Providers & Residential Facility Managers – ensuring water quality, hygiene, and compliance to protect vulnerable residents.
Community Health & Public Institution Leaders – managing infrastructure for clinics, schools, correctional centres, and government facilities.
Environmental Health Officers & Regulators – monitoring compliance, safety, and public health outcomes.
Plumbing, Hydraulic & Building Services Engineers – designing, auditing, and upgrading water systems for health and public facilities.
Infection Prevention & Control Specialists – managing waterborne pathogens and contamination risks.
Maintenance & Operations Teams – responsible for cooling towers, recycled water systems, and wastewater management.
Risk & Compliance Managers – ensuring adherence to evolving standards, guidelines, and reporting obligations.
Researchers & Academics – contributing evidence-based knowledge on water safety, health risks, and environmental resilience.
Technology & Solution Providers – offering innovations in monitoring, treatment, and sustainable facility operations.

By convening health, aged care, and public sector professionals in a trusted, evidence-based environment, WQHN enables participants to translate knowledge into practice, strengthen water safety, and ensure resilient and sustainable facility operations.

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