WaterRA Wastewater Scope 1 Emissions Report

Last month, the State of Knowledge Assessment of Scope 1 Emissions from Sewage Treatment Plants project was completed. The project was a collaboration between WaterRA, IWN and a number of water authorities from across the country. This comprehensive report, compiled by the University of Queensland includes:

  • The sources and pathways and influencing factors of N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂ emissions
  • The current guidelines for reporting S1 emissions
  • The results of existing full-scale monitoring and quantification studies and
  • Strategies to mitigate S1 emissions.

IWN Members can access a copy by emailing us at enquiries@iwn.org.au or if your organisation is a WaterRA member, from the members section of the WaterRA website.

Pressure Transients

We’ve recently concluded the 3rd Proof of Concept trial of the SpiralData Pressure Transient technology at SE Water. This final POC put the algorithm on the sensor so that only the anomalous data was sent to the cloud. It was a tremendous success. Please drop us a line if you’d like a copy of the trial reports. SE Water are now undertaking a 12 month pilot and Greater Western Water are trialing the technology in 6 locations in its network.

Advanced Grey Water Recycling Trial update

Some big developments have been happening in the IWN Advanced Grey Water Recycling trial! The team have purchased the “Hydraloop” Units and they are being shipped from Europe and will arrive in Victoria in late March. Hydraloop is a new smart water saving technology that treats and recycles shower and basin water for toilet flushing and other purposes; an incredibly relevant trial as dry conditions persist. Barwon Water, GWW, and SEW have all been actively inspecting suitable site locations. Barwon Water has identified four potential locations at the Torquay, Portarlington, and Barwon Heads caravan parks. The Gordon Tafe will also be a site for installation where trade students access for training and development, and testing. GWW are looking closely at residential demonstration site. Installation at these sites is being planned for April – June. Please contact Sandra Brady at Barwon Water for more information (sandra.brady@barwonwater.vic.gov.au).

Biosolids to Biochar

Pyroco

The RMIT Pyroco MK2 pilot plant at Greater Western Water has been recommissioned and is now processing biosolids from 4 Victorian Water Corporations and 5 interstate authorities. This latest series of trials will process some higher PFAS content biosolids, map PFAS destruction through the process, evaluate the biochar characteristics from varying feedstocks and generate larger quantities of biochar for applications research with CRC Soils.

Earth Systems

The first phase of the Earth Systems Pyrolysis trials with North East Water, Gippsland Water and City of Wangaratta has been completed successfully. The trial used a blended biosolids and municipal organics feedstock and showed categorically the destruction of PFAS and other contaminants, energy neutral operation and the steady production of a quality biochar. North East Water has endorsed the second phase trial – a scale up to 1000kg/hr.