Displaying items by tag: Nutrients/Contaminants
High concentration levels of boron in water can be toxic to some garden plants, and the drinking water produced from the Victorian Desalination Plant is likely to contain a high concentration of boron. This project aims to confirm whether the concentrations of boron likely to be experienced from the Victorian Desalination Plant would be an issue for plant groups that are typically found in gardens around Melbourne.
A number of sewage components from industrial sources have been identified as constraining opportunities for reuse and recycling of treated effluent and biosolids. These have been nominated as key contaminants.
URS Australia will conduct a project to review and analyse non-domestic sources of key contaminants - focusing on colour, cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury and boron.
Using dried and treated wastewater 'sludge' as a soil improver to grow crops or produce biodiesel may not sound appetising – unless you're a wastewater treatment plant seeking to sustainably diversify your income base.
In conjunction with Western Water, RMIT University is conducting experiments at Surbiton Park to encourage the use of biosolids in Victoria and develop sustainable biosolids management programs.
Millions of litres of water is produced from Victorian rooftops and paved surfaces, such as car parks and driveways, every year.
While the collection and recycling of this water has become a viable water saving option during drought conditions, the use of this water also presents some challenges.
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) estimates that as much as 40 per cent of household mains-water could be saved by recycling "greywater".
In order to improve take up of greywater recycling, the ATA set out to develop a better understanding of current greywater usage.
RMIT University received a Smart Water Fund grant to investigate the effectiveness of a number of innovative new technologies for the detection and control of blue-green algae within recycled water storages.
Technologies to be investigated include on-line fluorometers, portable field use 'dipsticks' and solar powered mixers. The research will be conducted at Melbourne Water's Western Treatment Plant.