The aim of this project is to determine which physical features of textiles increase fibre release during washing, so they can be reengineered to minimise environmental impacts, improving the quality of bioresources such as effluent water and biosolids.

Thesis underway.

This project will investigate the the fate and the sources of a range of priority emerging contaminants to CECs Australian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), that will allow water and environmental authorities better diagnostic tool for proactively managing the release of emerging contaminants into treatment plants.

PhD Thesis underway by Madara Weerasooriyagedara.

project description goes here

Sludge-drying lagoons are used in Australia as a convenient and cost-effective method of de-watering wastewater sludge. Methane emissions from these lagoons have been estimated to represent up to two thirds of total greenhouse gas emissions of the wastewater treatment, and will need to be addressed for water utilities to meet emission reduction targets. This project will investigate operational interventions that have the potential to select for novel microorganism capable of oxidising methane as a means of reducing emissions.

PhD Thesis completed by Sarah Aucote.

It is well understood NOM character as well as concentration impacts its treatability by water treatment processes and that concentration and character can change over time. This project will develop and evaluate novel, advanced characterisation and in situ monitoring techniques to provide NOM character, and in turn, will determine the link between NOM character and treatment performance.

PhD Thesis underway by Anthony Agostino.

To manage stormwater in an adaptive way as well as improving the mitigation strategies to cope with the climate change and urbanisation impacts, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approaches are becoming popular. Most of the exiting research in this area has been focused on implementation in infill developments or greenfield sites. Thus, significant knowledge gaps exist in the implementation of WSUD approaches within existing urban areas with holistic approaches. This research will investigate the optimal implementation of WSUD approaches in existing urban development.

PhD Thesis underway by Samira Rashetnia.

This project investigated the presence, removal and fate of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment, using advanced instrumentation. These drugs are emerging environmental contaminants and potential hazards for the disposal and recycling of treated wastewater.  Outcomes from this project included the development of novel wastewater treatment methods and an early warning system for identifying new psychoactive drugs in the community.  The project provided benefits such as reduction in the environmental and human health risk for wastewater recycling.

PhD Thesis underway by Luis Restrepo.