Researchers from The University of Queensland will have a key role in a strategy that could more than double the water recycling capacity of Australia’s capital cities.
UQ scientists, engineers and social scientists will lend their expertise to the $50 million Urban Water Security Research Alliance, launched today by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie at Parliament House.
The five-year initiative will develop Australia’s largest urban water research program, and its findings will underpin the third-largest water recycling scheme in the world.
UQ Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Siddle, said UQ was excited about being part of a team which would provide evidence for future urban water policies.
“In the Alliance, researchers from UQ, Griffith University, the CSIRO and the Queensland Government will collaborate on high-quality research into urban water challenges,” said Professor Siddle, who signed a memorandum of understanding on UQ’s behalf, to launch the Alliance.
“The three research institutions intend to build a critical mass of water researchers, so that south east Queensland has resident experts to inform its water system management.
“UQ will contribute multi-disciplinary expertise, from groups including the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, the Institute for Social Science Research and the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology,” Professor Siddle said.
The Alliance is the first water research project with a specific focus on urban water recycling, and its immediate concern will be the needs of Australia’s fastest-growing urban region, which is in the grip of drought.
Goals set by the Alliance include:
• Building reliability and safety in recycled water systems providing up to 90 GL per annum to South East Queensland (short term)
• Delivering water security by recycling wastewater and stormwater through the innovative treatment, storage and use of aquifers to provide up to 20 percent of the total water supply (long term).
The Alliance will link with other water-related research initiatives such as the International WaterCentre, eWater Co-operative Research Centre and Health Waterways. It will have close contact with the Expert Panel advising the Queensland Water Commission, which is chaired by UQ Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield.
The research results will be applicable to other major urban water utilities.
Media contact (UQ) Fiona Kennedy (07) 3365 1088 / 0413 380 012
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