As good quality water becomes scarce - particularly in developing countries - due to population growth and pollution, safe wastewater treatment options are urgently needed.
Murdoch University is currently hosting the International Water Association’s 2023 Water and Wastewater Management Conference which aims to address this issue.
This year’s conference is focused on providing the fundamental resources necessary for socioeconomic progress and ecological sustainability to developing countries.
Innovators from Murdoch University will be among those presenting ideas and research projects designed to meet this need at the conference.
Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said the University was always learning how to contribute to a better and more sustainable way of living.
“One of the most important ways we extend and share our knowledge is through meetings such as this one,” Professor Deeks said.
We’ve heard it many times before – there is no life without water. At Murdoch, our Centre for Water, Energy and Waste within the Harry Butler Institute is committed to research that ensures human endeavours can coexist with biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems.”
Leaders and researchers from the Harry Butler Institute will present on ‘smart water projects’, which are aimed at enabling poor quality water sources to be turned into safe and clean water supplies.
They will also discuss the idea of ‘smart cities’, which will transform urban areas and communities into hubs for smart water, energy and waste systems.
The Centre is also currently investigating the potential for wastewater grown microalgae as a source of energy and feedstock.
“As a University, we are delighted to support forums such as this one, which build on our long history of working collaboratively to deliver sustainable solutions for the community and industry,” Professor Deeks said.
PhD student Marco Warmt-Murray is working with the Water Corporation on developing a vertical-flow constructed wetland for wastewater treatment.
The prototype will be visited during the conference.
Martin Anda, Associate Professor, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste at Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute said he was "very hopeful of a successful trial".
"In future we expect it may be possible to use these natural treatment systems at some of the country treatment plans around WA," Associate Professor Anda said.
The conference runs from December 3-8.
More information can be found at www.wwmdc2023.com/.