Russell is a practical Hydrogeologist with over 30 years Public and Private sector experience in water resources management, water sensitive urban design and conjunctive water use.

It was Russell’s initial beginnings as a geologist working throughout Asia, where he gained a keen appreciation on how dependent we are on water for basic necessities, and how undervalued water is in society. Working in petroleum for 12 years before making the instinctive move to hydrogeology, he found he had a desire to understand how to better manage our available water resources. Russell joined the SA Department of Mines and Energy and in 2001 became the manager of Ground Water Group for the Department for Water (now known as the Department for Environment and Water). Regarded as a global leader in the implementation of Managed Aquifer Recharge and issues associated with clogging processes and mitigation, Russell’s career is focused on providing solutions to meet the water challenges facing big city environments, industry and  agriculture.

Being involved in large-scale projects looking at delivery of best model systems and how they can adapt to better service the water needs of all users including the environment has been a driving force for Russell. In his role as Manager of the State Ground Water Group, Russell was involved in establishing planning directions for the sustainable management of available groundwater resources across most of the major Groundwater Basins in South Australia.

Motivated by delivering sustainable solutions, Russell highlights the Bolivar Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme as a mark of innovation and a flagship project which commenced with the Bolivar Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Research Project in 1997. Outcomes from the Bolivar ASR Research Project remain at the leading edge of current understanding particularly the fate of pathogens during Aquifer Storage and Recovery. The project won the inaugural UNESCO Great Man Made River International Water Prize in 2001.

Russell has been an enduring project contributor, working with an ever-changing landscape of stakeholders, community members, regulators, and key project funding groups. The many and varied projects that Russell has delivered nationally and internationally has provided him with a unique set of skills and kept him at the leading edge in applying managed aquifer recharge as a practical integrated water resources management tool. Russell recognises the opportunities that such projects present and enjoys the diversity of work, bringing his problem-solving skills, operations and management expertise to the fore.

Russell is a member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and Leader of Managed Aquifer Recharge Working Group on Clogging Management.

Russell’s project experience includes:

• City of Salisbury, Twelve stormwater harvesting systems as part of waterproofing the north, SA
• Bolivar Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery Research Project
• Northern Adelaide Plains Irrigation Scheme Managed Aquifer Recharge scheme
• Waterproofing the South, City of Onkaparinga, SA
• Waterproofing the West, City of Charles Sturt, SA
• RIO Tinto MAR feasibility studies to support mining activities, WA
• BHP Billiton, Mine Area C, Western Australia and Olympic Dam ASR investigations
• Alice Springs Soil Aquifer Treatment MAR project, NT
• Warrauwi ASR Scheme, operational review and technical advices, NT
• Blacktown and Penrith ASR investigations, NSW
• Iluka Resources MAR ICAM, investigation Balranald Reinjection Trial, NSW
• Santos Roma aquifer recharge project – MAR Risk Assessment, QLD

• Contact Russell

• +61 8 8223 7433
• rmartin@wga.com.au