About the fan collective

We are volunteers, educators, storytellers, and river walkers celebrating South Australia’s water stories. This site is run entirely by fans to boost awareness—not by SA Water or any government agency.

How it started

It began with weekend river walks and a shared drive to document how water shapes life in South Australia. We’ve grown into a network that produces explainers, hosts events, and supports local custodians.

Our founding crew met through community science meetups in Adelaide. We wanted a friendly place to unpack complicated water topics—like desalination, stormwater harvesting, and river health—without requiring specialist knowledge.

As more people joined, we realised the magic happens when you blend data, culture, and storytelling. Today we publish independent resources, profile grassroots leaders, and share public information that inspires action.

Fan-run and proudly independent

We do not speak for or represent SA Water. Our role is to cheer on the people safeguarding water, surface public research, and make space for community voices—especially First Nations leadership.

Every video, article, and toolkit is lovingly crafted by volunteers. Want to contribute? Reach out and we’ll plug you into an upcoming project.

What keeps us flowing

We organise around a few shared values that inform every project we publish.

Transparency first

We cite open data, link to public reports, and clearly flag opinion pieces so readers can dig deeper and form their own views.

Respect for Country

We centre First Nations knowledge, seek permission before sharing cultural stories, and encourage fans to support Traditional Owners.

Joyful learning

Water education should feel energising. Expect interactive experiments, creative visuals, and events that welcome all ages.

Our timeline

From casual meetups to statewide collaborations, here are some milestones we’re proud of.

First Torrens River walk

A handful of volunteers started recording fish sightings and water clarity during weekend strolls.

Launch of the fan newsletter

We began sharing bite-sized explainers and event recaps to keep the growing community in the loop.

Community data dashboard

Volunteers visualised public sensor data and oral histories, making it easier to track waterway health.

Regional storytelling projects

Story teams travelled to Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, and the Limestone Coast to record local insights.

Roles for every passion

Not sure how you can help? Here are some ways fans currently contribute to the collective.

  • Story captains: Interview locals, edit articles, and produce the monthly podcast mini-series.
  • Field reporters: Capture waterway footage, host livestreams, and document restoration work.
  • Data navigators: Turn raw datasets into interactive charts that anyone can understand.
  • Event hosts: Manage clean-up days, library talks, and youth workshops.

Join the roster

Email hello@sa-water.org with your interests and availability. We regularly onboard new volunteers and pair them with a buddy.

Prefer to support financially? We’ll share a donation link soon to help cover hosting, accessibility, and equipment.