AOWA Incorporated
The Australian Onsite Wastewater Alliance is thrilled to announce that we are now a formally registered incorporated association. Further details on memberships and our website will be able to be provided to you soon.
Formal correspondence from the association will now be sent from info@aowa.org.au, so please look out for future emails from this address.
AOWA is pleased to announce Dr Sara Heger as the international keynote presenter for our inaugural 2026 Symposium Series, to be held in Queensland and Tasmania this September.
Dr Heger is a nationally recognised US expert in onsite wastewater and decentralised treatment systems, with 30 years of experience in research, education and technical outreach. A former researcher and instructor with the University of Minnesota’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program, she remains a faculty member in its Water Resources Science program. She is also a past President of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association and a recipient of the 2025 Richard J. Otis Award.
Across the two symposia, Dr Heger will deliver four keynote sessions addressing some of the most important technical and environmental challenges facing the sector.
At the Queensland Wastewater Symposium on Friday 11 September 2026, her presentations will explore:
Beyond the Tank: Next-Generation Denitrification Strategies
Every Drop Counts Twice: Building Resilient Onsite Water Systems
At the Tasmanian Wastewater Symposium on Friday 18 September 2026, she will present:
Overcoming Extreme Elements: Onsite Water Solutions for Cold and Isolated Regions
Squeezed and Saturated: Overcoming Tough Site Constraints
These sessions will draw on Dr Heger’s extensive applied research and industry experience to examine advanced treatment approaches, resilient water systems and practical solutions for challenging operating environments.
Further program information and registration details will be announced shortly. In the meantime, please save the dates and share this announcement with colleagues who may be interested in attending.
Please also share the attached brochure with your contacts who may be interested.
Steve Morton
Public Officer
Australian Onsite Wastewater Alliance