Water Reuse: Benefits and Challenges

Campbell J ThompsonN8281572

Queensland University of Technology10th June 2016

• Water sources are steadily decreasing from climate change and the steady population increase of 1.3% per annum is increasing the nations consumption rate

• Australia consumes roughly 19,000GL of water per annum• This water consumption is dispersed into the following

areas

Current Water Situation

Spies, B. & Dandy, G., 2012. Sustainable Water Management, Melbourne: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Major Australian City Water Sources

Elmahdi, A. (2015, August 3). The role of water in Australia's uncertain Future. Retrieved from The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/the-role-of-water-in-australias-uncertain-future-45366 

• Water reuse is the use of reclaimed water for a beneficial purpose which can be applied to numerous applications

• The water reuse concept ‘water fit for purpose’ describes using a water type defined by its quality for a certain purpose

• Such as using desalinated ground water for drinking purposes and recycled wastewater for agricultural purposes

What is Water Reuse?

• The WaterReuse Association states that:“Water reuse offers a climate independent water source that is dependable, locally-controlled, and generally beneficial to the environment. Water reuse allows communities to become less dependent on groundwater and surface water sources and can decrease the diversion of water from sensitive ecosystems”

Importance of Water Reuse

Prediction of Australian Cities Water Situation by 2030

Mekala, G. & Davidson, B., 2008. Wastewater Reuse and Recycling Systems: A Perspective into India and Australia, Colombo: International Water Management Institute .

• Water Reuse can be applied to a number of areas such as:

- Industrial - Agricultural - Urban - Domestic• There are three types of reused water to apply to

these areas which are - non-potable (non drinking purposes) - direct potable (drinking purposes) - indirect potable (reclaimed water introduced back into water sources)

Applications of Water Reuse

Benefits and Costs of Water Reuse

Sancho, F., 2015. ECONOMIC VALUATION OF WASTEWATER, Nairobi: The Global Wastewater Initiative.

• Reused water can save agricultural business’s up to 50%

• Provides conservation of natural water bodies minimising the environmental impact

• More sustainable water source that is not dependent on the climate

• Reclaimed water has more nutrients that improve soil conditions and plant growth

• Little to no social backlash over reclaimed water being applied to the horticultural industry or manufacturing companies

Agricultural and Industrial Benefits

• Water Recycling plants are cheaper than massive pipelines to far off bodies of water

• Numerous applications can use non-potable water such as all street cleaning, landscaping, etc

• Dual water systems are widely approved by the public with studies showing a 83% approval rate

• Provides economic boost for the community by providing more jobs and decreasing water shortages

Urban Benefits

Challenges of Water Reuse

EPA Victoria. (2014, August 11). Reusing and recycling water. Retrieved from Environmental Protection Agency Victoria: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/water/reusing-and-recycling-water

• Public opinion of water reuse is the biggest challenge with this application as some water reuse schemes have failed due to public perception

• The main issues the public has with reclaimed water is the following:

- Disgust or ‘Yuck Factor’ - Risks associated with using recycled water - The specific uses of recycled water - The issue of choice - Trust and knowledge - Attitudes towards the environment - The cost of recycling water - Socio-demographic factors

Social Approval

Urban Reclaimed Water Use Approval Ratings

Hurlimann, A., 2008. Community Attitudes to Recycled Water Use:an Urban Australian Case Study, Salisbury: The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.

• With modern technology and guidelines there is very little concern for health effects from reclaimed water being incorporated into the water supply

• Reclaimed water can have some negative effects on the environment from possessing high salinity, phosphorus and nitrogen levels and is required to be monitored

Health and Environmental Effects

Possible Soil Effects from Reused Water

Toze, S., 2004. Reuse of effluent water – benefits and risks, Perth: Centre for Environment and Life Sciences.

Case Study – Virginia Pipeline Scheme

• The Virginia Pipeline Scheme is a extremely successful water reuse project in South Australia

• The project produces up to 23 000ML/year of class A reclaimed water

• The project was constructed primarily for the vast agricultural industries in the area and to make use the large amounts of wastewater being dispersed from Adelaide

The Virginia Pipeline Scheme (VPS)

• After a single year of being implemented the value of the Virginia area raised from $72M to $203M and created upwards of 3000 jobs

• Prior to the VPS 18 000ML/year of groundwater was being consumed with a replenishment rate of under 10 000ML/year resulting in a unsustainable system

• The pipeline has reduced the wastewater being dispersed into the St Vincent Gulf by 50% drastically improving marine life

Benefits of the VPS

Case Study – Toowoomba Future Water Plan

• Toowoomba is in constant water restrictions and does have easy accessibility to water sources due to its location

• The future water plan was designed to use a indirect potable water system to combat the drought that plagued the region for 10 years

• Wastewater would be treated then pumped back into the existing water source of Cooby Dam before being treated again and then introduced into the water supply

Toowoomba Future Water Plan

• 62% of the town voted against the water reuse plan due to the ‘yuck factor’, diminishing the towns appearance and for health concerns

• This was due to poor communication as the plan was completely safe and would have saved the town up to $120 million

• Allowing a public vote is also not advisable and future water plans in other communities such as Brisbane did not allow public vote to prevent this issue from occurring

• Using reclaimed water for non-potable purposes may have been more successful due to no human consumption

Why Toowoomba’s Future Water Plan Failed?

• With projections of a 15% drop in rainfall in the next 15 years in some areas of Australia demonstrates the need for more water reuse systems

• Areas of Australia are now starting to consume more water than they can produce requiring the design of an alterative water source

• New projects are being planned and incorporated all around the nation, primarily in South Australia the countries leading recycling state

The Future of Water Reuse

Australia’s Future Water Plans and Timelines

Spies, B. & Dandy, G., 2012. Sustainable Water Management, Melbourne: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

What needs to be done?• Due to the Agricultural industry consuming 54%

of the nations water this should be the primary focus of water reuse

• Government assistance to incorporate reclaimed water to agricultural sectors to free up natural water sources for urban and domestic purposes

• To apply the ‘water fit for purpose’ method where applicable

• Better water management and public awareness will also assist water reuse projects around the nation

• With the decreasing water supply in Australia it is imperative that new alternative water supply's are implemented

• Water reuse has numerous benefits for the environment, economy and provides a sustainable ‘droughtproof’ water source

• With the only major issue being public opposition which is steadily decreasing over the years

• Water reuse will only become more relevant in the future with new plans and schemes being introduced every year

Conclusion

• Prof. Ashantha Goonetilleke• Queensland University of Technology

Acknowledgements