National water award for young URS Engineer

ADELAIDE, SA — April 2, 2009 — Young URS engineer Sarah Jewell's passion for water and the environment has led to her being crowned the inaugural Australian Water Association's Young Water Professional of the Year.

The 32-year-old civil and environmental engineer from South Australia was honoured at the OzWater 09 conference in Melbourne last month for her ongoing commitment to the water industry in Australia.

Sarah was acknowledged for her recent work on water treatment and supply issues in SA, as well as contributions to desalination research. In particular, she has focused on water issues facing the Murray Darling Basin and has contributed to a variety of design projects relating to wetlands and Lower Lakes management.

Sarah has also just commenced a PhD in Coastal Engineering at the University of Adelaide to investigate improvements to the way in which the Murray Mouth is dredged to maintain tidal flows into the Coorong.

The AWA Young Water Professional of the Year award recognises emerging water sector practitioners and researchers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the early stages of their career and who have the potential to play an influential role in Australia's water industry in the future.

Sarah was nominated for the AWA Young Water Professional of the Year award after winning the corresponding state award in January. In claiming the national honour, she was chosen ahead of a field of young water professionals from across the country.

"Water is such a key component of our existence so I've always had a very keen interest in how we manage it," said Sarah.

"Winning this national award is a great thrill and has really encouraged me to intensify my efforts in water management to help Australia better preserve what is becoming an increasingly precious resource.

"In particular, I'm looking forward to continuing my research on River Murray water issues, as well as focusing on helping disadvantaged communities develop safe water and sanitation facilities.

"I'm also really passionate about promoting engineering and the water industry in particular, as an exciting and fulfilling career pathway for young Australians with an interest in science and the environment."

In addition to her work and study achievements, Sarah also actively volunteers on AWA specialist network committees at both State and national levels, including both the Young Water Professionals network and the WASH (Sustainable Water and Sanitation for Developing Communities) specialist network.

Sarah cut her teeth in the water industry with SA Water after completing a double degree in science and civil and environmental engineering at the University of Adelaide. She joined URS' Adelaide office in 2007.