Helping Perth recycle waste water

To assist the Western Australian Government achieve its target of a 20 percent increase in the reuse of treated waste water by 2012, Water for a Healthy Country is researching how to safely recharge used water in aquifers on the Swan Coastal Plain.

The project is looking at knowledge gaps in Managed Aquifer Recharge for treated drainage, storm water and waste water and builds on research that recently won the WA Water Corporation Award for Water Treatment and Recycling for excellence and innovation in the water industry.

The research has a series of challenges including:

• water quality improvements during recharge of  recycled water to groundwater (eg, removal of pathogens and chemicals of concern via biogeochemical processes);

• existing and novel treatment technologies (including using the aquifer to improve water quality);

• characterisation of aquifers identified as potential sites to determine factors influencing recharge and recovery efficiencies;

• management and operational requirements;

• assessment and management of risk (both human and environmental health);  and

• the hurdles to social acceptance of water reuse projects. 

Lead scientist Dr Simon Toze, says Perth has several major aquifers with characteristics which favour recharge. Findings will enable government regulators to develop guidelines and will advance water recycling as a reliable alternative for safe new supplies of water.

Benefits are multiple, including direct environmental benefits by providing good quality groundwater, reducing the diversion of water from groundwater-dependent ecosystems on the Swan Coastal Plain, reducing effluent outfall to the ocean, enhance wetlands and ensure less reliance on potable water for industrial uses and for the irrigation of public parks and gardens.

More information contact:
Dr Simon Toze
CSIRO Land & Water
+61 8 9333 6130
simon.toze@csiro.au

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The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.