Whole Water Community of Interest

Our "Whole Water - water/energy/nutrient circular economy" Community of Interest (COI) connects utilities and researchers to investigate and develop technological advances and innovative concepts around the interplay of water, wastewater and energy which will enable utilities to become more resource efficient now and in the future. The COI is designed to bring together practitioners and managers to discuss issues, share knowledge and contribute to the development and delivery of a holistic research program with national benefits.

Our Whole Water Community of Interest

On our Whole Water COI page you will find:
  • Updates on latest research, current projects, COI priority initiatives and future opportunities
  • News on new and innovative technologies, protocols and strategies related to this topic
  • Links to resources and research including guidance and best practice information
  • Information on upcoming events
   Interested in becoming a member of the COI?
Contact Research Manager Dr Arash Zamyadi
Request Access

Latest News

Funding secured for two projects:
  • Scope 1 Emissions at sewage treatment plants | Secured $139K for projects #2059 and #4547
  • Hydrogen economy | Secured $80K for project #1136 with ARC Linkage Project submitted | Kick off meeting December 2020
Three other potential projects have been identified by the COI for development:
  • Renewable energy generation - heat recovery and reuse – chemical energy in wastewater Desktop project | Needs Funding
  • Energy nutrients recovery and waste as a feedstock for other industries | Needs Funding
  • Road map for carbon neutral utilities | Knowledge Transfer
Find out more about the innovative research and initiatives below.		  



 

Moving toward a water/energy/nutrient future

Water/energy/nutrient circular economy (CE) is a vast concept. Technological advances and innovative concepts around the interplay of water, wastewater and energy offer exciting new opportunities for utilities to become more resource efficient.

As an industry it is recognised that this is a space utilities need to be moving towards, however, there are many questions to be answered before proceeding and a holistic approach is required to deliver a successful program with national economic and sustainability benefits.

Our Whole Water COI, born from our Horizon 21 workshop, is comprised of an active and committed group of member organisations and trusted partners. The COI is taking a first step and endeavouring to initially establish a Whole Water Research Program that delivers a series of priority, foundation projects to address the theoretical and practical requirements of the “water energy nexus” and “circular economy and nutrient recovery,” focussed on: 

  • Desktop global scans for best practice
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Technology trials
  • State of Practice manuals to provide utilities with guidance as to how to access technologies that best suit their individual circumstances

It is envisaged individual focus streams will flow from the program allowing for internal and external collaboration with various industries to investigate/solve specific technological questions. 

 

Implications for the water sector

The topic has been identified as 'immense' and is a high priority to industry. A collaborative and rapid response will enable the sector to realise proactive benefits:

  • Minimised carbon footprint, and maximisation of economic & environmental sustainability
  • Minimised waste costs
  • Diversification of revenue
  • Adherence to SDG goals and state -based regulatory expectations (ie Victoria’s Net Zero by 2050)
  • Addressing customer/community/stakeholder expectations of a 'sustainable' focused industry

 

WSAA | Trusted Partners

WaterRA are working together with WSAA and mapping research projects against the WSAA Roadmap for members to identify knowledge gaps. WSAA will undertake projects focussed on policy and governance, whilst WaterRA will undertake projects focussed on research.

Upcoming events

    Whole Water COI Presentation OzWater 21

Join WaterRA Research Manager Dr Arash Zamyadi present at OzWater 21 on our Whole Water COI.  

For further information click here. 


  Webinar | Carbon Sink or Swim: Biochar win-win-win

Explore the upcycling of biosolids into biochar as a win-win-win for environment, economy and community.

Register for the webinar here.  

Become a member of the CoI

If you are a WaterRA member and interested in joining the Whole Water COI click on the link below to submit your request which will be reviewed by our Research Team. If approved, you will be added to the specialised COI mailing list and granted access to COI member only content including updates on new, current and future research opportunities, invitations to exclusive events and additional resources.

 
Request access

 

Have a significant or emerging challenge or need which you think others share? Contact one of our Research Managers and they can assist in creating a new COI and bring you together with like-minded peers.