Spotlight on Pacific YWP: David Bai of Palau Public Utilities Corporation

When David Bai walked into the OzWater 2025 Conference earlier this year, he carried more than just the title of Pacific Young Water Professional of the Year 2023, he brought with him the voice of a region, a deep commitment to water resilience, and an eagerness to learn, share, and grow.

“Attending OzWater 2025 was a rewarding and beneficial experience,” says David. “To be able to represent the Pacific Region in a conference of this scale is truly remarkable. I was constantly in awe. There were a million things happening at once, but what stood out was the energy and professionalism of everyone involved. It made stepping out of my comfort zone possible and even exciting.”

David’s attendance at OzWater was made possible through the generous support of the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) and the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA)—a partnership that continues to champion young Pacific voices in global water dialogues.

As a young professional from the Palau Public Utilities Corporation, David was deeply inspired by the innovations showcased in the exhibition hall. One technology, in particular, caught his attention: the use of fiber optic lines to monitor pipelines for leaks and intrusions.

“With non-revenue water exceeding 50% in many Pacific utilities, solutions like this could be a game-changer,” David says. “We need to be integrating these types of technologies into our feasibility studies and long-term planning. I’m committed to learning more about how we can adapt this to our context in Palau and the Pacific.”

David also reflected on the powerful conversations around climate resilience. “The sessions on extreme events and climate challenges were really eye-opening,” he shares. “It reminded me how essential it is to honour both traditional knowledge and modern science. National policies should be shaped by the lessons of our elders as well as data-driven decision-making.”

He adds: “Building climate resilience requires a strong foundation in traditional knowledge, reinforced by science and technology. We can’t rely on one without the other, especially in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate threats.”

For David, the connections made, the knowledge gained, and the inspiration drawn from fellow attendees were invaluable. “While our Pacific challenges may seem small on the global stage, the people I met and the discussions I had made it clear, what we do matters. And we’re not alone.”

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