Dr. Jim Gill, chair of Water Australia, will speak at a luncheon Oct. 8.

Dr. Jim Gill, inaugural chairman of Water Australia, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, Oct. 7-9, 2009, in Las Vegas.

Gil served as CEO of the Water Corporation of Western Australia for 13 years and was recognized for development of innovative programming to reduce water demand and diversify water resources in Western Australia, countering an enormous reduction in the yield of traditional surface water sources.

The achievements of his tenure include a desalination plant that uses renewable energy, programs to enhance water supplies through agricultural irrigation efficiency, and a system for aquifer storage and recovery of treated wastewater.

Gill holds degrees from the University of Western Australia, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. Most recently he was selected to chair Water Australia, a joint public-private organization created to disseminate Australian technology and expertise in water resource management.

WaterSmart Innovations is presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Program. It is a non-profit event that serves to broaden knowledge of innovations in urban water efficiency and water conservation including products, programs and outreach.

For further information, visitwww.WaterSmartInnovations.com.