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.

Growing populations and climate change place increased pressures on our water supplies. Stormwater harvesting and reuse offers a potential option to augment traditional water resources. Before it can be utilised within a given context, however, its safety must be established. This project developed a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model representing pathogen sources and treatment barriers within a proposed stormwater harvesting scheme. The BBN can utilise a range of data sources and be constantly updated to assist managers to engage effectively with stakeholders and identify the most appropriate combination of risk management strategies available to them.

Honours Thesis completed by Dean Albert Mensinga in October 2019.

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.

This research investigated the impact of failing on-site septic systems and agricultural runoff entering the Tilligerry Creek and broader Port Stephens estuary.  The results provided a better understanding of nutrient impact has on the receiving environment in the short, medium and long term.

Honours Thesis completed by Daniel Kousbroek in June 2014.

This research investigated the impact of failing on-site septic systems and agricultural runoff entering the Tilligerry Creek and broader Port Stephens estuary.  The results provided a better understanding of nutrient impact has on the receiving environment in the short, medium and long term.

Honours Thesis completed by Richard Connor in June 2014.

This project developed more sophisticated ways in which to study dissolved organic matter (DOM) from a variety of different water sources (wastewater, dam water etc). To do this, a number of novel techniques were developed and compared to identify how and when these techniques can be used together and what technique is best to use when seeking out specific information of DOM.

PhD Thesis completed by Emma Louise Plant in October 2013.

This project investigated the impact of hazardous events (i.e. high organic, high salinity, high toxic shock loads in influent, aeration lost or membrane damage) on decentralised membrane bioreactor performance. This investigation demonstrated validation of membrane bioreactors to fully comply with the requirements of current Australian water recycling guidelines and to provide necessary risk-based information for health and environmental regulators.

PhD Thesis completed by Thi Thanh Trang Trinh in November 2013.

Traditionally, Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Validation is focussed on performance during commissioning when membranes are new, and the range of operating conditions are limited. As membranes age it is important to understand how MBR performance changes to have confidence in the quality of the water produced. Gathering data on the relationships between operational monitoring parameters such as turbidity and pathogen removal during the life of membranes would assist operators to understand the ongoing performance of membranes compared with initial performance.

The former Water Recycling Centre of Excellence developed the MBR Validation Protocol. This protocol was prepared as part of NatVal to provide guidance for the validation of MBRs. It proposed a tiered approach that allowed for a simplified process where log reduction values (LRVs) are claimed.

The aim of this project is to collect and review performance data from a broad range of operating MBR facilities in Australia to understand the pathogen LRV performance in relation to operating conditions and monitoring parameters; targeting a range of membrane age, integrity, performance, and control. This will allow water managers to understand and predict the ongoing performance of MBR plants compared to initial performance, informing future MBR design and also assisting in optimising membrane lifecycle planning. This research will also provide operators and regulators with greater confidence MBR operation throughout the asset life, and lower the whole of life cost of MBR ownership for water service providers by maximising the validated operating envelope.