Andrew Barton

Senior Water Resources Engineer - GWMWater

Graduated in:

2001

Course completed:

Bachelor of Engineering majoring in environmental engineering (honours)

Currently working for:

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation (GWMWater)

How long have you been working for this organisation?

4 years

Position title and short job description:

Senior Water Resources Engineer. I am responsible for overseeing the day to day operation of the Grampians reservoir system, catchment and streamflow monitoring, and GWMWater's responsibilities under the Wimmera-Glenelg bulk entitlements.

I'm also involved in GWMWater's research and development program including leading projects such as

• the optimisation of pipeline operations,
• climate change impacts on the regions water resources,
• control of pipeline biofouling and
• the effective delivery of environmental flows.

Working highlight so far:

Helping to manage the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee communities through the past 13 years of severe drought and transitioning from an old channel water supply  system to a new pipeline supply system.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Travelling widely and being involved with projects that have direct outcomes to the local communities.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

I wasn't very good at writing reports early in my career. However, some patient mentors helped me to be better at this.

What do you intend to do in the future?

I intend to keep working in the water resources industry. Water is a hot topic at present and will be for some time.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

At exam time, nothing beats using past exams to practice on. Practice, practice and more practice.