Drones eye supply risks
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Melbourne Water is deploying autonomous drones to keep people away from the city’s drinking water supply.
A two-month trial has been launched at Silvan Reservoir, which delivers about 65 per cent of Melbourne’s water.
The drones will monitor for unauthorised activity and environmental risks within the protected catchment.
Equipped with advanced sensors and high-resolution cameras, including night vision, the drones can distinguish between humans, animals, and vehicles. Data will stream live to a central security monitoring centre, supplementing existing surveillance systems like CCTV and onsite security teams.
“Melbourne is one of the few cities worldwide where drinking water is sourced mainly from catchments with zero or highly restricted public access. This allows us to provide exceptionally clean water that requires minimal treatment,” said Ram Ramzan, Senior Asset Manager at Melbourne Water.
Protected catchments are intended to reduce contamination risks and treatment needs.
The Silvan Reservoir also supports native biodiversity, housing endangered species such as the Growling Grass Frog and Greater Glider.
“Every activity in a protected catchment poses a major risk to our drinking water supply, including those introduced by humans and animals, litter, and bushfire risks,” Ramzan said.
The trial’s findings will guide potential drone use at other reservoirs.
Melbourne Water says it is prioritising resource protection while allowing public access to natural spaces.
The nearby Silvan Reservoir Park, managed by Parks Victoria, features picnic areas and scenic views, but entry into the protected catchment is prohibited under the Water Act 1989 (Vic)* with offenders subject to prosecution.
“Limiting access to Melbourne’s protected water supply catchments is more efficient than implementing additional water treatment processes, ensuring we are able to continue providing safe, affordable, and reliable water supply now and into the future,” Ramzan added.
