Logan's water stories
Although water is integral to life, it’s easy to take for granted. In the City of Logan, we live close to beautiful waterways, we’re a short drive from pristine beaches, and we have access to drinking quality water wherever we go.
For many elsewhere in the world, this would be considered a privilege.
National Water Week serves as a reminder to build awareness and celebrate the role water plays in Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Our Water Stories’, showcasing individual experiences and journeys with the precious substance that sustains us all.
For Logan Water’s Water Performance Service Manager Ben Steel, water shaped many of his childhood memories.
‘I remember running around in my grandparents’ backyard under a sprinkler on a hot day and water at sporting carnivals – water was such an important part of growing up for me,’ he says.
‘Now that I have my own kids, I think about how much they interact with water. They’re always at the pool,
at the beach as Nippers or out on the boat during the weekend.
‘Water is also critical to important ceremonies for me, as someone who is culturally Tongan.
‘In Tongan culture, water is essential for everything – from sharing stories and song with kava to our diet which mostly comes from the sea.’
The kava ceremony, where kava is blended in water and shared with others, is used to acknowledge significant events like weddings or funerals.
As a leader with Logan Water, which services the entire City of Logan and is part of Logan City Council, Ben sees the impact of water every day.
‘An interesting fact is that Logan Water doesn’t have its own water source. We rely on water to be transported from other parts of Queensland every day,’ he says.
‘We’re one of those industries that aren’t top of mind for our customers, but we are very proud of how we contribute to the standard of living in terms of sanitation.
‘We are strengthening an organisation that is customer-focused, reliable, sustained and committed, with a team that is as passionate and dedicated to the industry as those who have come before us.’
If you’d like to learn more, check out the official websites for National Water Week or Logan Water.