Why I work in water: Clara Laydon

For Clara Laydon, water has been a lifelong passion. Even as a child, she was drawn to the environment, and a career in the water industry offered the perfect blend of engineering, applied science, and community impact. Today, she is Team Leader for Source Water Strategy and leads the Purified Recycled Water (PRW) Program, working to secure sustainable water solutions for the region.

Clara’s journey in the water industry started in 2004, with some of her earliest jobs at Hunter Water’s treatment plants. Since then, she has built an extensive career in water management, bringing both technical expertise and a strong commitment to education. She holds a Cert III in Water Operations and a certificate in adult education—skills that help her bridge the gap between complex water solutions and public understanding.

What she loves most about her work is the variety of challenges it presents. One moment, she’s tackling broad strategic planning, and the next, she’s diving into the details of calculations or working alongside the education team to improve water literacy in the community. It’s this mix of big-picture thinking and hands-on problem-solving that keeps her engaged every day.

Leading the PRW program has been one of the most exciting and challenging projects of her career. As Hunter Water explores what a future purified recycled water scheme could look like, Clara is helping shape the possibilities. It’s a project that demands innovation, technical expertise, and community engagement.

But beyond the technical aspects, it’s the people and the purpose that make working at Hunter Water so rewarding. Clara knows that the projects she works on will have a lasting impact on the community, ensuring a sustainable and secure water future. That sense of purpose, combined with the support of her team, makes every challenge worthwhile.