Tamworth to host 14th Water Industry Operators Association of Australia NSW conference & exhibition from April 6 to 7

The 14^th Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) NSW conference & exhibition is expected to attract between 700 and 800 people to the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC).

Run over two days from April 6 to 7, the event is a chance for industry professionals to view and discuss the latest advances in technology, share expertise and connect with suppliers.

WIOA managing director George Wall said with over 100 exhibitors setting up at TRECC, the event will have large economic benefits for Tamworth.

"The massive expo at TRECC will feature over 100 companies who have a range of products and services from pumps and valves to testing equipment - anything for the urban water industry, it's all here on display," he said.

"It's a way for people in the industry to keep up to speed with the latest technology and hopefully implement that into council-run enterprises to provide better water and also manage costs for the customers."

While the exhibition is free and open to the public between 10am to 5pm on Wednesday and Thursday, the conference will bring delegates from local councils and industry bodies together to discuss the most pressing topics facing the industry.

New water treatment technologies will be a big focus, and there will be plenty of discussion on the challenges of drought, floods and worker shortages due to COVID.

"Our operators really are essential, we often hear other sectors being talked about as essential, but the water operators and wastewater operators are by far the most essential people in the community," Mr Wall said.

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"If we haven't got a clean, safe and reliable water supply and somewhere for the waste water to go, then we would fall into anarchy fairly quickly."

Among the 30 speakers will be Michael Hearn from Tamworth Regional Council, who will address treating algae at the Calala Water Treatment Plant during the drought.

Councils across the state will also battle it out for the title of top drop, with the 2022 Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia kicking off at the conference.

Tap water tasting heats will be held on Tuesday, with the final set to take place on Wednesday at 12.30pm.

Water samples will be judged on qualities like colour, clarity, odour and mouthfeel during blind taste tests.

Wests Entertainment Group's deputy chief executive officer James Cooper said the return of conferences and events have had a positive effect on bookings, with an uptick at Tamworth's Mercure Hotel.

"We've seen a gradual increase in trade at the Mercure over the past few months, which has coincided with the progressive easing of restrictions," he said.

"It's been more appealing to host conferences here and we have managed to host a few which has been really positive."

He said recent events such as the AgSmart Expo, Nitro Circus and this week's Police Rugby League State Carnival and National Quarter Horse Show at AELEC have seen the hotel booked out.

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