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 joining the COI?
For more information or to join the 
COI, please contact:
Dr Arash Zamyadi

Latest News

Ongoing development of a conceptual model for Water Industry participation in a hydrogen-enabled circular economy:

Concerns and opportunities are the focus of Water Research Australia's ongoing hydrogen economy water sector initiative. The below conceptual model was presented at Singapore International Water Week 2022. Many thanks to Karen Rouse and Xiwang Zhang for their support!  

Funding secured:

ARC Linkage Project (Commonwealth Government leverage) funding secured for WaterRA Project #1136 Application of sustainable hydrogen economy based AOP for removal of emerging contaminants. News coverage regarding this project are available for download below:

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. 

 

Priority activities in Whole Water

Water Research Australia's conceptual model for Water Industry participation in a hydrogen-enabled circular economy:

Click to enlarge

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

 

Upcoming events

   

           Expo | Ozwater 2022

Visit our stall on Hydrogen circular economy: Viability, scalability, and risk for water industry. Held during the Ozwater session on "Achieving a Circular Economy" after lunch, 11 May 2022.

For more information or to register visit the Ozwater website here.  

 


           Presentation | Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)

Join our presentation on Hydrogen circular economy: Viability, scalability, and risk for water industry. Presentation to begin the SIWW session on "Carbon Circularity" during the event, held from 17-21 April 2022.

For more information or to register visit the SIWW website 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

 

For more information on the Whole Water COI Research Program please contact Dr Arash Zamyadi. 

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.