Ahead of World Water Day (22 March), we’re highlighting the passionate work of Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) soil scientist, Dr Ana Avila, who has an important message to share about sustainable water use.
World Water Day is an initiative of the United Nations and is observed annually to raise awareness about the global water crisis and to promote sustainable water management.
The theme for 2026 is exploring the relationship between water and gender equality, focussing on the disproportionate burden women and girls face in water collection, management, and sanitation responsibilities.
Dr Avila is an advocate for sustainable water use and management on farms and is passionate about the global impacts of saving water.
“I’m currently working on the Growing Value from Irrigation for Tasmanian Agriculture project which has a focus on soil water balance, reducing water losses, and the value of water to Tasmania’s agricultural industry,” Dr Avila said.
“This work helps farmers be both sustainable and profitable at a local level, but it also has global importance. When we save water, we're not just saving it for ourselves or our farms, we're protecting a resource that the whole world depends on. It's really about making every drop count. Using water more effectively is something we all need to take responsibility for."
For Dr Avila, her interest in water started when she was working with drip irrigation in greenhouse experiments in Brazil. As a researcher on the Growing Value from Irrigation for Tasmanian Agriculture project, funded by the Tasmanian Government, she’s now studying how water behaves under large centre pivot systems in real farming conditions.
Dr Avila has been travelling around the state measuring water use and water loss on farms, whether through runoff or deep drainage. It’s part of an effort to help farmers get more irrigation for their crops from every single drop of water.
Dr Avila has spent years studying the soil properties that relate to water use and retention, across Brazil, Queensland and now in Tasmania with TIA.
Ahead of World Water Day, Dr Avila wants to raise awareness that water use is everyone’s responsibility.
“Climate change is not a future problem, it's already here. That means we need to think carefully about how we manage natural resources, especially water,” she said.
“Soil and water are two of the most important resources we have. Understanding how they interact is essential if we want to produce food sustainably.”
Her research is focussing on water losses from run-off and deep drainage in the outer spans of pivot irrigators.
“Our goal is to understand how much of the applied irrigation water actually infiltrates into the soil and becomes available to plants, instead of being lost," Dr Avila said.
Dr Avila has a message to women and girls interested in science and sustainable water management.
“As a scientist it’s amazing to explore how complex the environment is and to understand how these systems work in practise,” she said.
“We now have more women in science than ever before. It’s so inspiring to be part of that and to work in such a supportive environment. We have so many amazing female scientists here at TIA. It’s a fantastic place to be. I feel confident and happy here.”