One of the world’s leading water infrastructure companies, Veolia Water France, will fund a $2.5 million Chair in Water Recycling at The University of Queensland.
The new professor based at UQ’s Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), directed by Professor Jurg Keller, will be joined by a team of up to seven researchers by early next year.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor David Siddle, will sign an agreement establishing the chair with Western Corridor Recycled Water Pty Ltd Scheme Operator Project Director, Jean-Michel Seillier, at a ceremony at The University of Queensland Art Museum boardroom on Friday, November 2, at 3pm.
Professor Siddle said the professorship, initially funded for five years, was believed to be the first of its kind in Australia and indicated the importance placed on research finding solutions to the continent’s dwindling water supplies.
He thanked Veolia Water Australia, a subsidiary of Veolia Water and scheme operator of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project, for its foresight in partnering with UQ on the initiative.
Professor Siddle said the University, through centres such as the AWMC, was ideally positioned to benefit from increased recognition of the importance of water and water conservation by society.
The new team would also provide a new focus for postgraduate studies, he said.
“UQ has the facilities and expertise to advance research into how we can better manage our precious water resources for future generations,” Professor Siddle said.
Western Corridor Recycled Water Director, Mark Pascoe, commended the AWMC for its solid reputation worldwide and said he believed the new chair would drive not only research but also outcomes and improved understanding of the benefits of purified recycled water.
“Water is essential to living and an adequate supply of clean potable water is vital,” Mr Pascoe said.
“As demand increases and supplies from traditional sources fall, consideration has to be given to alternative practices that are safe, palatable and sustainable.
“I am confident that, with the focused attention from the chair, boundaries will be challenged through innovative research, and the positive results will benefit whole communities.”
Mr Pascoe said the UQ research program would drive continual optimisation of a current, world-class advanced water treatment plant at Bundamba, improved techniques for ensuring water quality, investigate environmental impacts and anticipate regulatory changes.
“The program will also play a role in developing a wider network of expertise in water recycling and could well be the vehicle for raising Brisbane’s profile as a world centre for excellence,” he said.
Western Corridor Recycled Water Pty Ltd is constructing Australia’s largest recycled water scheme, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project encompassing more than 200 kilometres of wide diameter pipeline, three new advanced water treatment plants, and six existing wastewater plants in an innovative move to drought-proof southeast Queensland.
Professor Keller said the professorship dovetailed perfectly with AWMC research in areas such as sewer management and the removal of organics from drinking water.
“The current water crisis has brought about a major shift in many aspects of the water industry in Australia, most notably in southeast Queensland,” Professor Keller said.
“The imminent introduction of large-scale, high-quality water recycling including the provision of purified recycled water into our water supply represents a dramatic paradigm shift in urban water management systems.”
The AWMC is an international centre of excellence in innovative water technology and management. During more than 10 years of research in this field, it has developed leading expertise in education, research and consulting.
Media inquiries: Shirley Glaister at UQ Communications (07 3365 1931), Professor Jurg Keller (07 3365 4727, 0412 123 913, j.keller@uq.edu.au) or Jann George (Western Corridor Recycled Water Pty Ltd) (07 3015 9742, 0417 780 670).
