Our expert scientists use research to turn technical challenges facing water utilities into opportunities to innovate and create customer value, delivering cost savings and efficiencies. We can work with you on your research requirements to help deliver value to your organisation.
Strong research networks enable us to develop solutions in collaboration with local and international research partners, including members of academic institutions, research funding bodies, and other water and wastewater utilities. Through investment in research, we are industry leaders in our dynamic operational environment, helping water utilities to deliver high quality, safe water services to their customers.
SA Water's research programs are informed by annual strategic planning, which identifies current risks, future knowledge gaps and opportunities.
The challenges to the water industry and broader research landscape in Australia and globally are changing. In addition to the on-going challenges of water quality management, wastewater treatment and effective infrastructure and asset management, there is now a focus on alternative water sources, energy efficiency, desalination, and potential impacts of climate variability combined with the need for cost-effective delivery of water and wastewater services for future sustainable cities.
With our innovative research programs delivering on these focuses, we are well-placed to provide you with your research needs. Get in touch today to find out more about how our research team can help your water utility.
SA Water's research programs are informed by annual strategic planning, which identifies current risks, future knowledge gaps and opportunities.
The challenges to the water industry and broader research landscape in Australia and globally are changing. In addition to the on-going challenges of water quality management, wastewater treatment and effective infrastructure and asset management, there is now a focus on alternative water sources, energy efficiency, desalination, and potential impacts of climate variability combined with the need for cost-effective delivery of water and wastewater services for future sustainable cities.
| Program | Overview | Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging Contaminants | This program is aimed at identifying pollutant risks that could challenge the quality drinking water and recycled water products. The outcomes of this program will be an increased understanding of the risks associated with a range of pollutants (including chemicals of concern, microplastics and antimicrobial resistance) for the customer and the environment., |
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| Resource Recovery | This program is aimed at providing opportunities to recover resources from during treatment processes including wastewater, recycled water, biosolids and waste products form drinking water. |
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| Technical aspects of drinking water aesthetics | This program is aimed at providing research and analysis for options to improve aesthetic water quality in the Myponga and Happy Valley drinking water supply systems. |
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| Social aspects of drinking water aesthetics | This program is aimed at increasing the understanding of customers' perceptions of drinking water quality aesthetics. |
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| Energy | The aim of this program is to investigate initiatives to support SA Water's current and future energy targets, particularly SA Water’s goal to achieve zero net energy costs by 2020. As biogas generated from wastewater treatment will form a key component of SA Water’s future energy portfolio, research is targeted to optimise treatment processes for energy production. |
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| Process optimisation | This research program supports the optimisation of existing operational processes to achieve efficiencies in the operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities, pipe networks, and field maintenance activities. |
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AWQC has active collaborations in many countries and welcomes further developing them. Partnerships with global collaborators pressent many advantages including opportunities to share knowledge and undertake joint projects and research. Our scientists serve on Research Advisory Committees and Project Advisory Committees for such organisations.
Partner organisations include:
