BEB801 - Digital Presentation Queensland University of Technology

1. Campbell J Thompson
N8281572
Queensland University of Technology
10th June 2016

2. • Water sources are steadily decreasing from climate change
and the steady population increase of 1.3% per annum is
increasing the nations consumption rate
• Australia consumes roughly 19,000GL of water per annum
• This water consumption is dispersed into the following areas
Spies, B. & Dandy, G., 2012. Sustainable Water Management, Melbourne: Australian
Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

3. Elmahdi, A. (2015, August 3). The role of water in Australia's uncertain Future.
Retrieved from The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/the-role-of-water-in-
australias-uncertain-future-45366

4. • Water reuse is the use of reclaimed water for
a beneficial purpose which can be applied to
numerous applications
• The water reuse concept ‘water fit for
purpose’ describes using a water type defined
by its quality for a certain purpose
• Such as using desalinated ground water for
drinking purposes and recycled wastewater
for agricultural purposes

5. • The WaterReuse Association states that:
“Water reuse offers a climate independent water
source that is dependable, locally-controlled, and
generally beneficial to the environment. Water reuse
allows communities to become less dependent on
groundwater and surface water sources and can
decrease the diversion of water from sensitive
ecosystems”

6. Mekala, G. & Davidson, B., 2008. Wastewater Reuse and Recycling Systems: A Perspective
into India and Australia, Colombo: International Water Management Institute .

7. • Water Reuse can be applied to a number of areas
such as:
- Industrial
- Agricultural
- Urban
- Domestic
• There are three types of reused water to apply to
these areas which are
- non-potable (non drinking purposes)
- direct potable (drinking purposes)
- indirect potable (reclaimed water introduced back into
water sources)

8. Sancho, F., 2015. ECONOMIC VALUATION OF WASTEWATER, Nairobi: The Global Wastewater
Initiative.

9. • Reused water can save agricultural business’s
up to 50%
• Provides conservation of natural water bodies
minimising the environmental impact
• More sustainable water source that is not
dependent on the climate
• Reclaimed water has more nutrients that
improve soil conditions and plant growth
• Little to no social backlash over reclaimed
water being applied to the horticultural
industry or manufacturing companies

10. • Water Recycling plants are cheaper than
massive pipelines to far off bodies of water
• Numerous applications can use non-potable
water such as all street cleaning, landscaping,
etc
• Dual water systems are widely approved by
the public with studies showing a 83%
approval rate
• Provides economic boost for the community
by providing more jobs and decreasing water
shortages

11. EPA Victoria. (2014, August 11). Reusing and recycling water. Retrieved from Environmental
Protection Agency Victoria: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/water/reusing-
and-recycling-water

12. • Public opinion of water reuse is the biggest challenge
with this application as some water reuse schemes
have failed due to public perception
• The main issues the public has with reclaimed water
is the following:
- Disgust or ‘Yuck Factor’
- Risks associated with using recycled water
- The specific uses of recycled water
- The issue of choice
- Trust and knowledge
- Attitudes towards the environment
- The cost of recycling water
- Socio-demographic factors

13. Hurlimann, A., 2008. Community Attitudes to Recycled Water Use:an Urban Australian Case
Study, Salisbury: The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.

14. • With modern technology and guidelines there
is very little concern for health effects from
reclaimed water being incorporated into the
water supply
• Reclaimed water can have some negative
effects on the environment from possessing
high salinity, phosphorus and nitrogen levels
and is required to be monitored

15. Toze, S., 2004. Reuse of effluent water – benefits and risks, Perth: Centre for Environment
and Life Sciences.

17. • The Virginia Pipeline Scheme is a extremely
successful water reuse project in South
Australia
• The project produces up to 23 000ML/year of
class A reclaimed water
• The project was constructed primarily for the
vast agricultural industries in the area and to
make use the large amounts of wastewater
being dispersed from Adelaide

18. • After a single year of being implemented the
value of the Virginia area raised from $72M to
$203M and created upwards of 3000 jobs
• Prior to the VPS 18 000ML/year of
groundwater was being consumed with a
replenishment rate of under 10 000ML/year
resulting in a unsustainable system
• The pipeline has reduced the wastewater
being dispersed into the St Vincent Gulf by
50% drastically improving marine life

20. • Toowoomba is in constant water restrictions
and does have easy accessibility to water
sources due to its location
• The future water plan was designed to use a
indirect potable water system to combat the
drought that plagued the region for 10 years
• Wastewater would be treated then pumped
back into the existing water source of Cooby
Dam before being treated again and then
introduced into the water supply

21. • 62% of the town voted against the water reuse
plan due to the ‘yuck factor’, diminishing the
towns appearance and for health concerns
• This was due to poor communication as the plan
was completely safe and would have saved the
town up to $120 million
• Allowing a public vote is also not advisable and
future water plans in other communities such as
Brisbane did not allow public vote to prevent this
issue from occurring
• Using reclaimed water for non-potable purposes
may have been more successful due to no human
consumption

22. • With projections of a 15% drop in rainfall in the
next 15 years in some areas of Australia
demonstrates the need for more water reuse
systems
• Areas of Australia are now starting to consume
more water than they can produce requiring the
design of an alterative water source
• New projects are being planned and incorporated
all around the nation, primarily in South Australia
the countries leading recycling state

23. Spies, B. & Dandy, G., 2012. Sustainable Water Management, Melbourne: Australian
Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

24. • Due to the Agricultural industry consuming 54%
of the nations water this should be the primary
focus of water reuse
• Government assistance to incorporate reclaimed
water to agricultural sectors to free up natural
water sources for urban and domestic purposes
• To apply the ‘water fit for purpose’ method
where applicable
• Better water management and public awareness
will also assist water reuse projects around the
nation

25. • With the decreasing water supply in Australia it is
imperative that new alternative water supply's are
implemented
• Water reuse has numerous benefits for the
environment, economy and provides a
sustainable ‘droughtproof’ water source
• With the only major issue being public opposition
which is steadily decreasing over the years
• Water reuse will only become more relevant in
the future with new plans and schemes being
introduced every year

26. • Prof. Ashantha Goonetilleke
• Queensland University of Technology