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.

Biosolids generated during the wastewater treatment processes has become a major burden of wastewater treatment plants and an unresolved problem for major cities around the world. It is thus imperative to identify a sustainable way for the proper management of biosolids. The overarching aim of this research is to establish a robust assessment framework to estimate the environmental sustainability implications of different pathways for biosolids processing and resource recovery in an Australian context and provide information to decision makers and practitioners of the water industry on the performance of different treatment scenarios.

PhD Thesis underway by Jingwen Luo.

Petroleum hydrocarbon is one of the most common soil contaminants in many countries. Considering the magnitude and impact of this problem, remediating contaminated soils are inevitable. Several methods have been used to remediate hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, however, some of the methods are not cost effective or environment friendly. Biochar, a low cost carbonaceous product, has gained relevance for remediation of contaminated soil.

In my research, I am using biosolids as a source of biochar production. The use of biosolids in production of biochar and its subsequent application in remediation provides an opportunity to re-purpose waste from the water industry for valuable use.

Thesis underway.

In Australia, around 1.4 million tonnes of biosolids were produced in 2021. Land application of biosolids can promote environmental benefits such as: improve soil structure, carbon sequestration, cycling of nutrients as well as realising economic benefits through conserved landfill space, increased crop production and reduced demand for fertilizers. However, biosolids can have negative impacts on the environment if not properly managed.  Currently there is a lack of data on volatile emissions from biosolids when applied to land in Australia. Volatile emissions as well as impacting the environment can contribute to odours which reduce the community acceptance. Variations in volatile emissions can occur due to wastewater origins, biosolids processing, application methods and local conditions. This project aims to 1) identify and collate data from literature and industry on biosolids land application practices in Australia, and 2) measure volatile emissions from different biosolids, biosolids-amended soils and land application methods to inform best practice.

PhD Thesis underway by Thais Nunes Guerrero.

The biosolids industry in Australia has historically developed in response to the regional challenges, resources available and their markets perception and demands. This has resulted in a variety of priorities, management strategies and reuse applications currently operating nationally. To progress and take advantage of the recovered resources provided by the development of the biosolids industry a national framework providing a level field is required. The result would see the biosolids industry in an improved growth position, more effective utilisation of resources, more control over risk to health and the environment and improve our position nationally with adherence to our global responsibility targets. The mechanism to achieve these goals is estimated to be by the application of a non-prescriptive framework which has risk strategies built into progressive steps in the biosolids product development with strategies targeting specific end use.

PhD Thesis underway by Marilyn Braine.

This research investigated the impact of recycled water runoff entering the Tilligerry Creek and broader Port Stephens estuary.  The results provided a better understanding of nutrient impact has on the receiving environment.

Honours Thesis completed by David Workman in February 2018.

The increasing use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in consumer products has created concern about their fate and effect in the environment. Cosmetics and textiles may release ENMs during their life cycle, which can make their way into waterways often via discharge from wastewater treatment plants. This project assessed the toxicity of nano titanium dioxide and fullernes to green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in the presence or organic matter, including treated wastewater effluent and humic acid.

Honours Thesis completed by Elissa O’Malley in October 2013.

This project aims to better understand chemical and biological hazards in Australia through long-term collection and analysis of wastewater and biosolids. Samples collected during the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Census 2021 will form the basis of a rich and unique databank that describes how communities are exposed to chemical and biological hazards, and how these chemicals/biological agents are released into the environment following wastewater treatment. The previous ARC-funded SewAus Census 2016 project (LP150100364), successfully established the first, globally unique nationwide program for wastewater-based monitoring of chemicals. SewAus Census 2016, demonstrated the utility of integrating wastewater-based monitoring with detailed, accurate data on the population that contributed to the sample from the Census. Demographic and socioeconomic data, such as age or occupation, were used to explain patterns of drug use and other chemical exposure in the population. A wide recognition of the value of this work forms the basis of this new proposal.

Together with existing and new stakeholders and end-users, a follow-up project has been developed to build on the outcomes of SewAus Census 2016 and address a new set of aims. This research has three overarching goals founded on:

• Advancing sampling and analytical methodologies to expand the scope and reach of wastewater-based monitoring in Australia;
• Measuring and understanding spatial and (long-term) temporal trends for chemical and biological hazards, and;
• Improving quantitative understanding of the sources and fate of chemical and biological hazards released to the environment from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

Water supply and wastewater services are two connected components in an urban water system. They are in most cases operated separately towards sub-system optima. By recognising and enhancing their connections, an integrated management strategy would deliver system-wide optimisation with tremendous economic and environmental benefits. This project developed and demonstrated an integrated and innovative strategy, and the associated science and technologies, to achieve multiple beneficial uses of iron salts in an urban water system.

Water Footprinting provides a different approach to understanding the role of water than traditional water resources planning and management. Water Footprinting tools can be applied in the Urban Water Sector to investigate:

• The amount of fresh water that must be withdrawn from the environment to deliver a specified volume of water to a customer;
• The amount of fresh water consumed (i.e. no longer available for other purposes) when delivering urban water services; or
• The impact (from a water resource perspective) that the delivery of urban water services has on the environment.

The approaches consider both Direct and Indirect Fresh Water Flows.

This project developed an understanding of the Water Footprinting concept; investigated the applicability of Water Footprinting tools to the Urban Water Sector and how they combine with or complement other sustainability related tools, and determined further development and application of the tools.