Smart Investments in Smart Research for a Water Smart Future

The Smart Water Fund is an initiative of Victorian water industry and the Victorian Government. The five funding partners are City West Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Established in 2002, the Smart Water Fund invests in water industry led research and innovation in urban water management.

Achieving sustainable management of Victoria's water resources is essential for current and future generations. This includes balancing the ever-increasing demand to meet the needs of industry, individuals and the environment.

The Smart Water Fund is a key part of the Victorian water industry's response to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity. The Fund is focused on finding and supporting innovative new solutions to current and future water related challenges.

The Fund has two key aims:

  • To invest in industry led applied research projects that deliver commercially focused outcomes and quantifiable return on investment.
  • To relentlessly pursue knowledge transfer opportunities that drive knowledge uptake and utilisation, for the benefit of Victoria's water utilities and the customers they serve.

The Smart Water Fund has conducted eight funding rounds to date. In this time approximately 180 projects have received total funding of $25 million toward a total research value of $50 million.

A new era for the Smart Water Fund

Building on the success of the past, 2010 saw a period of significant change for the Fund, with the appointment of the new Board and Chief Executive Officer. As part of the development of Fund's new Strategic Plan, the Board has agreed to changes in the strategies and operations of Smart Water Fund.

The key strategic changes relate to the Fund's:

  • governance arrangements,
  • role within the water industry,
  • business model and role,
  • research priority areas,
  • investment processes and criteria, and
  • investment and funding strategies.

To learn more about the Fund's investment model and research priorities, please use the navigational links on the right hand side of the page.

pdf Download a summary of the Smart Water Fund Strategic Plan

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