COMMUNICATING THE LATEST IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO THE AUSTRALIAN WATER INDUSTRY
COMMUNICATING THE LATEST IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO THE AUSTRALIAN WATER INDUSTRY
| Issue 2 |
|
Spring 1997 |
104 delegates from across Victoria and interstate attended the Workshop on the 1996 Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines at Ararat, Victoria. They were from large and small water system operators, chemical and equipment suppliers, consultants, academic and research institutions, and community groups. The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment organised the workshop in cooperation with Grampians Water and with the help of the Australian Water and Wastewater Association.
Participants found the topics very relevant and well presented. Dr John Cugley, South Australian Environment Protection Agency, gave an overview of the Guidelines covering what they are and what they are not, physical, chemical and microbiological aspects, and system management and performance assessment. Dr Peter Nadebaum, CMPS&F talked about the implications for water system operation including filtered and unfiltered supplies and operational strategy. Dr Malcolm Sim, Monash University, discussed in more detail the chemical aspects such as types of chemicals, sources, risk assessment, and use of the Guidelines. Associate Professor Kit Fairley, Monash University, talked about the microbiological aspects including pathogens, community consultation, diseases, and control studies. Interactive sessions and group presentations provided a glimpse of how the Guidelines can be practically applied.
The CRC thanks the industry for its support and is keen to help address specific issues relating to the use of the Guidelines.
As part of Commonwealth accountability requirements, the two stage second year review of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment is now underway. In August 1997, an independent scientific review of CRC projects (Stage 1) was carried out by a panel consisting of Dr James Manwaring, Executive Director, American Water Works Association Research Foundation, Mr Piet Odendaal, Executive Director, Water Research Commission, South Africa, Mr Franz Schulting, Director, KIWA (the water research institution of the Netherlands), and Mr Neil Body, CRC Visitor.
CRC plans and reports were presented to the panel during a three day meeting. They included outcomes of the internal review initiated by the CRC from June to August 1997 that saw Professors Steve Hrudey, University of Alberta, Geoff Codd, University of Dundee, Vern Snoeyink, University of Illinois examine key themes across its research programs (public health, cyanobacteria, and natural organic matter).
Stage 2 (covering CRC operations) has been scheduled for 24 - 25 November 1997. Review outcomes so far are being considered by the CRC Board.
The Victorian Department of Human Services and the University of New South Wales have become participants in the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment from 1 July 1997. This brings the total number of core participants in the CRC to 19.
Was the crocodile surprised?
To put you out of misery, we first inform those few, who may not have known, that the crocodile intended to have Elephant's Child for dinner. This elephant (who asked ever so many questions because of his insatiable curiosity) had naively asked that 'limpid log on the banks of the great grey greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees', What does the crocodile have for dinner? Of course we all know that the crocodile was unsuccessful in his endeavours and that the elephant was duly rewarded with a new trunk.
Of course, CRC researchers are always asking such questions but nevertheless it was with some trepidation that the CRC organisation allowed its emissaries, Alan Wade and Lance Heath, to undertake a drinking water mission to Germany in mid June 1997. These tidy pachyderms were nobly sponsored by the Department of Industry Science and Tourism (DIST) and ACTEW Corporation.
While the principal objective of the trip was to strengthen German-Australian water quality research ties, these curiosity driven souls asked lots of questions to appraise themselves of current EC drinking water regulatory practices and to contrast attitudes to drinking water. An edited version of their trip report will appear on the new DIST web site to be launched within a week or two. Lance is also mapping a Compendium of collaborative research projects across a broad spectrum of water research initiatives!
We hope that this style of site broadcasting will be symptomatic of a vision to globalise and harvest the best ideas both for researchers and for their client water industry.
What do we get for dinner?
We believe that collaborative research effort is likely to check out:
Alan Wade and Lance Heath
"I trust you not, O crocodile,
And know not if you yawn or smile. But smile or yawn your teeth look vile
How could I trust that crocosmile?"
The CRC Director, Professor Don Bursill, will be attending the IWSA Congress to be held in Madrid from 22 - 26 September 1997. The IWSA Congress is a large meeting of professionals involved in the water supply industry and it will be an ideal opportunity to update on progress with key water issues. Possibly of more importance is Don's attendance at the first meeting of the IWSA/AWWARF (American Water Works Association Research Foundation Joint Research Committee. Both IWSA and the AWWARF have formed specialist groups on particular topics. They have recently agreed to combine their efforts by merging these groups. The Research Committee will oversee the activities of the specialist groups with a view to providing international coordination of research effort on matters of common interest. It is expected that there will be an exchange of information on completed and ongoing research as well as the initiation of collaborative research on the gaps that need to be addressed. More information will be available in our next issues.
From 21 to 25 September 1998, Adelaide will host the 9th International Humic Substances Society Conference (IHSS-9).
This Conference, the first IHSS International Conference to be held in the southern hemisphere, will be called "Humic Substances Down Under - Understanding and Managing Organic Matter in Soils, Sediments and Waters" and will feature topics including the origin and characterisation of organic matter, the interaction between organic matter and pesticides and new developments in humic substances research. The effect of organic matter on water treatment processes will be the feature of one day.
Kaye Spark and Gayle Newcombe, project leaders within Programs 2 and 3 of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment respectively, are on the organising committee of the Conference, which is composed of scientists with an interest in natural organic material from the Australian Water Quality Centre, CSIRO Soils and Water Resources and the Waite Institute, The University of Adelaide. Discussions are underway with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation regarding an additional workshop, building upon the information presented at IHSS-9, on the practical application of characterisation techniques to drinking water treatment plant operation.
The organisers are hoping to attract participants from the Asian region, from Europe and the United States, and, of course, hope to see many people interested in organic material from Australia and New Zealand. The Conference and associated workshop will give us an excellent opportunity to present our research and to establish communication and collaboration with researchers with similar interests from throughout the world. If anyone would like more information, please contact Kaye Spark, Ph +61 8 8259 0349, or E-mail kaye.spark@sawater.sa.gov.au.
Control of Cyanobacteria in Rivers
Background
There is a strong association between periods of low flow in summer and the occurrence of cyanobacteria. Studies by the CSIRO at Maude Weir, 1992-1995, demonstrated that low flow and the associated stratification of the water column were critical in determining the occurrence of Anabaena. (This work was funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (NRMS), and the CSIRO Blue-Green Algae Program. Details are available in a CSIRO report (CEM Technical Report No. 119) available from Dr Ian Webster of CSIRO Land and Water, Ph (02) 6246 5581, Fax (02) 6246 5560.)
This relationship provides a possible mechanism for controlling cyanobacteria through manipulation of flow but the high value of water demands that the critical flow conditions be known very precisely. Funding from the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation has been obtained under the National River Health Program to examine this issue in the lower reaches of the River Murray. Funds were also obtained for the study of the life history of bloom forming cyanobacteria.
Critical Flow and Population Development of the Cyanobacteria Anabaena and Microcystis in the Murray-Darling River System
This is a three year (September 1994 to September 1997) collaborative project between the Australian Water Quality Centre, the University of Adelaide, and the CSIRO Divisions of Environmental Mechanics and Water Resources and was funded under the National River Health Program by the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation and South Australian Water Corporation.
It involved developing generic understanding of the role of river flow on the growth and development of cyanobacterial blooms as well as a combination of field investigations of physical measurements and biological and physical modelling of water flow to integrate the data.
Initial studies of phytoplankton along a stretch of the lower River Murray indicated unexpectedly low growth rates. Further studies using novel flow-cytometry based cell activity assays demonstrated that growth was limited by the bioavailability of both nitrogen and phosphorus. Detailed meteorological and thermal structure data were collected from a floating weather station in 1995/96. Modelling of those data indicated that wind speed is an important factor in controlling stratification in contrast to other studies in the Murrumbidgee River where flow was the dominant factor. Flow rate and wind speed can now be used to predict the risk of algal blooms in the lower River Murray and a strategy to use this knowledge in the management of blooms will be included in the final report. For more information, please contact Mr Mike Burch on Ph (08) 8259 0352, Fax (08) 8259 0228, E-mail mike.burch@sawater.sa.gov.au
Life History and Ecology of Bloom Forming Cyanobacteria
This two year (October 1995 to October 1997) field study has been completed. The work included monitoring of the resting spores (akinetes) in the sediments of lagoons and the main reach of the River Murray. Water quality data has also been collected including counts of vegetative cells of cyanobacteria, N, P, trace metals, pH, alkalinity, and TDS. The contribution of these lagoons to the development of cyanobacterial populations in the river has also been assessed. For more information, please contact Mr Peter Baker on Ph (08) 8259 0317, Fax (08) 8259 0228, E-mail peter.baker@sawater.sa.gov.au
To find out about other CRC projects relating to Catchment and Source Water Management, please contact Dr Dennis Steffensen on Ph (08) 8259 0326, Fax (08) 8259 0228, E-mail dennis.steffensen@sawater.sa.gov.au.
Thames Water Asia/Pacific (TWA/P) has been based in Melbourne for over 60 years and has combined home grown practical solutions with the latest technology available from Thames Water, the UK's largest water company, to become Australia's largest exporter in the water treatment sector.
In 1995, at the formation of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, TWA/P saw it could make significant contributions to the CRC, to enhance the development of cost effective solutions for the Australian water industry. TWA/P has since been contributing $100,000 per year to the CRC and has sought to work with participants, with their differing disciplines and backgrounds, to fashion a focused and achievable program of work.
With the background of a growing SE Asian water market, United Water International, a joint venture company of Thames Water, Compagnie Generale des Eaux, and Kinhill Engineers was formed. United Water was established as the vehicle for these companies to pursue water and wastewater projects within Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific region. As a result TWA/P has re-focused its activities in Australia and SE Asia and now believes that United Water should take over membership of the CRC from TWA/P as a logical step in enhancing the CRC's credibility, knowledge base, and capability of pursuing and implementing world class successful research and development.
United Water is Australia's largest private water company, employing over 400 people. The company has a 15 year contract to operate and maintain all the water and wastewater systems in the metropolitan area of Adelaide. The contract is currently the most extensive outsourcing contract in the Australian and New Zealand water sector.
United Water recognises that collaborative research plays a key part in the innovation process. An extensive range of skills, knowledge and facilities can be drawn on within the CRC to enhance the development of cost effective solutions for the Australian water industry.
The parent companies have established significant offices in Australia and the CRC program will benefit significantly over time from these international connections. Indeed, the R&D groups of Thames Water and CGE originally developed the successful models for global technology transfer, bridging the academia/industry gap and focusing on business driven research.
Please contact Terry Simms, Research and Development Manager for United Water International, for further information on its input to the CRC and its own large and complementary research and development program - Ph (08) 8301 2774, Fax (08) 8357 9728, E-mail terry.simms@uwi.com.au.
Australian Water Technologies Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sydney Water Corporation, has core capability in the management of and delivery of water, wastewater, and associated environmental services. Its competencies encompass operational and maintenance capability, engineering design and project management services, and environmental and scientific services.
AWT EnSight, the environmental sciences and technology Division has experience and capability which include:
AWT EnSight maintains a considerable investment in research and development aimed at investing in the future performance of its service areas through the development and adoption of new technology, skills, and professional understanding. This investment strategy is very strongly focused on delivering better end products to customers in the water industry as well as in the wastewater, manufacturing and food processing, agriculture, aquaculture, and mining sectors.
In addition, AWT EnSight has a strong focus on the commercialisation of technology from its own intellectual property and that from collaborative research programs. Examples include detection technology for pathogens in environmental systems ie Cryptosporidium and Giardia, reduction of phosphorus in wastewater, catchment management modelling software, and the CRC projects within which it is involved. For further information, please contact Dr Ian Fisher, Ph (02) 9334 0938, Fax (08) 9334 0840, E-mail ian@awtensight.nsw.gov.au or Dr Tony Chiffings, Ph (02) 9334 0711, Fax (02) 9334 0819, E-mail tchiff@awtensight.nsw.gov.au.
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