Integrated Concepts for Reuse of Upgraded Wastewater in Australia

OzAquarec is a national research project aimed at investigating possibilities and overcoming obstacles to water recycling in Australia. It is also the Australian collaborative arm of the international research project Aquarec.

The major driver for Aquarec was the need for global improvements in water management practices. Increased rates of water recycling was identified as a priority mechanisms to achieving this. Accordingly, the key areas of research in the Aquarec and OzAquarec programmes are as follows:

Guidelines: Lack of uniform guidelines on water quality, treatment and distribution systems for different water recycling applications; Provision of policy guidelines and water quality standards for wastewater reuse.

Water Scarcity: Many regions world-wide face or will face water scarcity problems in the future.

Water Quality: Protection of water resources, economic and regional interests as well as consumer-related safety standards have to be balanced. Trace contaminants and Pathogens are a particular focus in this project.

Water Usage Options: The full spectrum of potential water recycling applications has to be investigated.

Location: The spatial relation between wastewater treatment sites and potential reuse locations has to be considered.

Management: Collection and validation of best management practices including failure management, operational management issues and public consultation practices.

Accessibility of Information: Development of reference manuals and as step by step guides for future end-users.

Technology: Evaluation, selection and standardisation of technological concepts and components for wastewater recycling. Adavanced treatment processes such as membrane technology and ozonation are a particular research interest; several treatment schemes will be evaluated as in depth case studies including economics.

Integrative Concepts: Integration of various activities towards sustainable wastewater recycling world-wide.

Wastewater Recycling: Focus on effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants as feed source without loosing sight of water conservation or
stormwater treatment issues.

The project is multidisciplinary in its design and nature. It incorporates a thorough assessment of available technologies, application-dependent water quality, development of public consultation guidelines, recommendations for water quality guidelines, assessment of failure management practices, decision support systems and application of ecologically sustainable development.

To become involved as a collaborator please contact the team at mailto:ozaquarec@uow.edu.au

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