UOW hosts international water recycling seminar

Feb 02, 2007

The University of Wollongong brought water recycling into the mainstream this week (Thursday 1 - Friday 2 February) when it hosted a seminar on a range of very timely issues, featuring a number of experts from across the globe.

As debate rages about the urgent need to conserve water in Australia and throughout the world, the seminar addressed a range of key topics and focussed on the needs and challenges of bringing research, practice and policy together to develop innovative solutions for battling the water shortage crisis.

Sponsored by Sydney Water and featuring an address from its Managing Director Dr Kerry Schott, UOW's seminar was the culmination of a 4-year international project titled AQUAREC that was funded by the European Commission and in Australia by the Australian Government and involved 17 worldwide institutions (including UOW) researching integrated concepts in water recycling.

Participation in the $6 million research project solidified Australia as one of the world's leaders in water recycling.

The two-day seminar was officially opened by Minister for Regional Development, Small Business, Water Utilities and the Illawarra, Mr David Campbell, who welcomed the range of speakers to the University and Illawarra region.

He also outlined the NSW Government's latest water-saving initiatives.

"Water recycling is one of the most important issues we face today," he said.

"Some experts assert that Australia is facing its worst drought in 1000 years. Climate change is threatening to bring less rain and more extreme weather, so it's essential that we looked at innovative and effective water re-use schemes and practical solutions to the water shortage crisis."

Experts and key leaders travelled from Europe, America and the Middle East to facilitate discussion on a multi-disciplinary approach to water recycling and integrating water reuse into mainstream water management.

Experts discussed the future information and knowledge needed for water authorities, industry professionals and policy makers to utilise and establish iconic pioneering schemes and presented the outcomes of the AQUAREC project so that they can best be applied to inform and influence practice and policy for water agencies, governments and communities.

Guest speakers included Managing Director of Sydney Water, Dr Kerry Schott, Chris Davis from the Australian Water Association, Rami Messalem from Ben-Gurion University in Israel, Darko Joksimovic from the University of Exeter in the UK, Peter Dillon from the CSIRO, G. Wade Miller from the WateReuse Association in the US, John Radcliffe from the National Water Commission, Miguel Salgot from Barcelona University in Spain, Stuart Khan from the University of NSW and Thomas Wintgens from RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

"An interactive workshop session sought feedback from those involved in practice and policy as well as community consultation and engagement programs will identify issues that need to be addressed to help guide future water recycling policy, practice and future research needs," said organiser Michael Muston from the Faculty of Engineering.

"It allowed the audience to really get involved by asking questions, communicating ideas and helping to formulate outcomes."