Waterborne pathogens cause millions of people to be sick each year globally, putting a burden on hospitals and having financial implications. This research aims to identify the waterborne pathogens at the point of need, sample collection sites, water plants, treatment plants, water quality check points and drinking water quality assurance etc. The research outcomes will inform best practice for clean drinking water supply to the community thus improving public health and wellbeing.

PhD Thesis underway by Alka Rani.

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

The Australian water industry is currently focused on two VOCs, namely geosmin and MIB, which release an earthy-musty smell. Microorganisms that live in source water or within water distribution pipes are known to produce other unpleasant VOCs. This project intends to detect and quantify taste and odour (T&O) chemicals beyond geosmin and MIB in source water through chemical and sensory analysis. Project aims to identify and/or semi-quantify these unknown VOCs in source water and develop T&O wheel specific to NSW source water. The project also anticipates developing a risk indicator database for different T&O chemicals.

Thesis underway.

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.

Cyanobacterial blooms are a concern for water utilities due to the potential production of cyanotoxins and taste and odours. Current detection methods are slow and may not capture changes in bloom density which can prevent utilities in rapidly adjusting their treatment process. This project investigated using in situ fluorometers as a tool for real-time cyanobacteria monitoring an treatment adjustment.

PhD Thesis completed by Florence Choo in 2019.