Innovation Hub to nurture new research ideas in recycled wastewater
06 November 2018
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New Innovation Hub to explore developing technologies to recycle and sustainably treat wastewater
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Exploring new water technologies is important for WA as climate change continues to impact water sources
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State Government calls for industry and technology providers to put forward proposals
WA Government:
Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced a new
dedicated
water innovation hub on the doorstep of the
Subiaco Wastewater
Treatment Plant to bring together industry, universities and research
partners.
The Innovation Hub will form part of a wider Water Research and
Innovation Precinct located within the buffer zone of the
wastewater
treatment plant, to encourage the development of new smart technologies
to treat and recycle wastewater.
The State Government, through the
Water Corporation, has developed the
hub to test collaboratively with partners the latest technologies around
wastewater recycling, before being developed further if proven
successful.
The south-west of
Western Australia is one of the places on the planet
most impacted by
climate change. As a result, almost half of Perth's
water is now manufactured through seawater
desalination and
groundwater
replenishment (highly treated wastewater which is then injected into
groundwater aquifers for later use as a drinking
water source).
The site next to the Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant was selected to
have close access to a wastewater resource, and to make better use of
the land around the plant.
Each year, 164 billion litres of wastewater is collected from homes and
businesses and safely treated by the Water Corporation at wastewater
treatment plants across
Western Australia.
The launch coincides with National Water Week which is held each year to
encourage the community to think about how we use water, with this
year's theme being 'Water for me, Water for All'.
For more information or to put forward a proposal, visit the Water
Corporation's website at
http://www.watercorporation.com.au/innovationprecinct
Comments attributed to
Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"This new water innovation hub is an exciting opportunity for the Water
Corporation to partner with industry and researchers to help deliver new
and smarter technologies for the sustainable treatment of wastewater.
"Making the most of our treated wastewater through recycling is vitally
important as we continue to feel the impact of climate change.
"Given wastewater is 99.97 per cent water, as it mostly comes from
showers, baths and sinks, the potential to develop more recycling
options for this resource are just beginning to be explored as we work
towards a more sustainable future.
"Western Australia is already an innovator in this space. We are the
first State in Australia to use treated wastewater to recharge
groundwater aquifers for future drinking water needs.
"I encourage research organisations and industry to bring their ideas to
the Water Corporation through the Innovation Hub website and be part of
this exciting new collaboration."
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Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Minister's office - 6552 6100
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: WA Government