Transforming Regional Treatment in Australia - A CRC-P Project
Duration:
January 2019–January 2023
This project aims to develop a low-cost solution to transform inefficient sewage treatment ponds into self-contained environmental assets benefitting regional communities. The work proposed is an innovative use of high-rate anaerobic and algae treatment processes. This integrated technology will recover water and valuable nutrients suitable for local agricultural uses, with minimal odour and greenhouse emissions. A robust AI and machine learning control and monitoring system will be incorporated, modernising regional treatment plant operation.
Collaborators
- Urban Utilities
- Northern Territory Power and Water
- The University of Western Australia
- Queensland Department of Environment and Science
- Aquatec Maxcon
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Funding
- Total funding $5.4million
- $1.4 million Commonwealth Government funding, and in-kind funding from project collaborators
Project Outcomes
- Two functional regional ‘proof of concept’ demonstration scale plants in Northern Territory and Lockyer Valley, Queensland.
- Improve the reliability of regional treatment
- Enables the recovery of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous embedded in algae biomass for reuse.
- Reduced odour and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Queensland R&D finalist for R&D awards 2022
