Inside Water September/October 2022

Welcome to Inside Water

It is a pleasure to have seen so many people sign up for the first issue of Inside Water Magazine. We have been overwhelmed with interest in our publication.

In watching the world of water since our first edition, the thing that has struck me the most is the discussion around climate change and its impact on the water sector. While it is an issue that the sector has acknowledged for a while, it is fantastic to see the industry work with different stakeholders to focus on managing water use.

We are thrilled to have spoken to Tanya Ha, a director of Westernport Water and Science in Public. She had a lot to say about women in water, the impact of motherhood on environmental behaviour and the importance of messaging. She is convinced that children can play a key role in keeping water consumption down and that not enough attention is paid to the first woman admitted to MIT, Ellen Swallow Richards.

When writing this letter, Julia Cummins is representing Australia in Sweden at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

As a high school student, she wrote a research paper about the impact of nanosilver on Daphnia magna, a tiny aquatic creature. Her research could pave the way to understanding the effects of nanoparticles on humans.

We also focus on wastewater treatment solutions, systems, and smart sewage sensors in this issue. Proper use of our wastewater reduces water pollution, addresses water shortages, increases water quality, and decreases transportation costs. There is enormous potential in many other industries for the by-products of treated wastewater.

Similarly, smart sewage sensors support the needs of municipal wastewater networks. Understanding public health, the environment and sewer deterioration are important for the broader population. The implications of excessive rainfall can

be modelled to benefit infrastructure systems’ long-term maintenance and life.

We also touch on the technology behind trenchless digging. While the general public may marvel at tunnel borers for roads and rail, few can appreciate the machines that are laying thousands of metres of pipe. Society needs to understand the influence of these devices in their everyday life.

On another note, during the recent flood events in New South Wales, I observed that certain regions could not provide potable water to their customers. Boiled water orders were put in place swiftly and were well promoted by local media. This rapid coordination between local authorities, water corporations and media will protect customers and keep them informed during challenging times.

As we move forward, properly using our precious resources is key. The regular discussion in the United Kingdom of a hosepipe ban in summer is often lost in the cacophony of news. However, Australians are used to managing water restrictions in extreme heat. Now more than ever, it will remain key for everyone to work together to protect the limited sources of fresh potable water that is easily accessible. More work must be done to ensure enough water for all users – residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational and environmental.

We look forward to your enjoyment of our second issue.

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PROTECTING OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES

This issue at a glance

Cover Story – Tanya Ha

The intersection of science communication and water makes a lot of sense. Tanya Ha has forged a high-profile path in sustainability and water conservation with Science and Technology Australia and Westernport Water. Ha is an award-winning strategic science and environmental

Intelligent Water Networks (IWN)

Greater Western Water, South is helping to prove PYROCO, an RMIT innovation, that has improved the efficiency of biochar production. Biosolids are a by-product of wastewater treatment and once converted into biochar, is a valuable resource for industry, particularly agriculture. The unique pyrolysis technology is a game changer for industry across the globe.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of South East Water, Iota is supporting commercialisation of solutions by the utility’s research and development arm.

PYROCO has a number of benefits that differentiate the technology from other reactor systems. One of the game changers is that it’s very efficient at converting organic material into high-

was nominated as a finalist in the ‘Sustainable Practices’ category of the 2022 Mumbrella Awards for its ‘Water Watchers’ campaign. The campaign’s goal is simple: to educate young Victorians that water is a precious resource, and everyone needs to save as much as possible. Pages 20-23.

considered in terms of building resilience in communities across Australia and New Zealand. Hydroflux Epco has sought to do this. Up to 400,000 dry tonnes per annum of biosolids are produced from Australian and New Zealand sewage treatment plants. There needs to be a discussion about what is done with those biosolids, according to John Koumoukelis, CEO of Hydroflux Epco

Across the globe, the last decade has seen a trend toward diverting biosolids from landfills. Countries have been considering alternative treatments to address public concerns over pollutants such as micro-plastics and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This led to the construction of numerous advanced biosolids facilities, most of which are based on mono-incineration.

Focus – IoT Solutions

More companies are looking for highend pump monitoring solutions for their wastewater and water treatment systems. These all-encompassing projects focus on equipment performance, saving money and energy. Many companies are looking beyond a

Tanya Ha

Products – Spacers

Corrosion accelerates degradation and reduces the life of pipeline infrastructure, costing the industry millions of dollars in rehabilitation, rebuilding and downtime. kwik-ZIP’s spacer and centraliser system mitigate against corrosion issues for pipeline infrastructure. Pages 48-49.

single product when discussing pump monitoring systems. They are looking for turn-key solutions from companies they would consider partners. This is where ifm efector steps in, with its Moneo DataScience Toolbox. As an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform, ifm’s Moneo system combines the level of operation technology with the level of information technology. Pages 30-31.

Focus – Project Management

With a lot of water infrastructure due for renewal over the next decade, including asbestos cement pipes, success will come from insights into asset conditions and failure mechanisms and a collaborative approach to solutions. But what is the root cause? How does a water authority get to a stage where it can feel confident about avoiding the infrastructure cliff by planning a proactive series of renewals? Pages 38-40.

Focus – Sludge Management

Sludge management is one of the most challenging tasks of wastewater treatment plants. Sludge Finder 2 from Pulsar Measurement seeks to solve that problem. Sludge management and blanket control are crucial for any wastewater treatment process. Accurate monitoring of this can benefit process efficiency and cost savings.

Pages 42-43.

Focus – Sensors. Pages 32-37.

How do you optimise a level sensor that already has everything? What sounds like an obvious question has led VEGA to create more than an even better sensor. When using the new VEGAPULS 6X, it’s not just the sensor that counts, but what can be achieved with it in the application – simply better processes.

Customers must choose from the variety of radar sensors that are currently on offer. Because application areas are becoming increasingly multi-faceted with more complex processes, the buyer needs a good understanding and overview of what’s on the market. It takes the right know-how, experience, and time to avoid making bad investments and get a reliable measuring system.

Mackay Regional Council has been planning its second round of smart water meters after successfully saving money

Products – Passive wastewater treatment system

Avoiding a company’s obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise its wastewater treatment costs is impossible, according to Chankar Environmental. All power generation benefits are realised by applying passive wastewater technologies, such as the

and water over the past ten years. Thanks to its collaboration with Taggle Systems, Mackay has avoided building a new water treatment plant until at least 2032. During the mid-2000s, the Mackay region of Queensland was experiencing a booming economy and rapid population group. These created increasing pressure on the cost of delivering water and sewerage services. It also made a need for a new water treatment plant in the future. However, such capital investment is significant, and it was hoped that this type of capital investment could be delayed.

Andrea Thayer is the Stakeholder and Client Support Officer from Mackay Regional Council. She knows how important it is to engage with the community, look at the impact of providing data to engaged consumers, and what the next step means for Mackay.

Moneo datascience toolkit

If we were developing a 20 or 30 year renewal program, we could look for optimisation and efficiency

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

sun, wind, gravity, or the moon. The same applies to wastewater treatment. The treatment unit can be replaced with passive treatment technology, like the Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES) passive wastewater treatment system. Pages 50-51.

Products – Magnetic seal

A magnetic seal is a fast, easy, and environmentally conscious way to stop leaks in their track. Kinder Australia provides an insight into their unique technology. In Australia’s intense environmental conditions, holes, punctures, and abrasions can appear on most metallic infrastructure. Whether your industry involves minerals, corrosive materials, or water does not matter. There will almost certainly be leaks due to general wear and tear. Pages 52-53.

Association – VicWater

On July 1, VicWater announced the appointment of David Middleton as Chair and Therese Tierney as Deputy Chair of the organisation. Middleton, also the Chair of Greater Western Water (GWW), graduated from the University of Ballarat (now Federation University) in 1991 at a challenging time

Many companies provide horizontal directional drilling services. However, the correct way to do things is not as simple as it appears. Maxibor outlines the right and wrong ways to operate a horizontal directional drill. Directional drilling contractors like Maxibor are required when a pipeline is introduced or when communication lines are needed.

pipe with a directional drilling machine and accompanying accessories.

for the Australian economy. “Out of the blue, I got a phone call from my Public Health Engineering lecturer, telling me that Ballarat Water Board was looking for someone to fill a three-month contract, so I gave them a call,” said Middleton. With what is now Central

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a technological innovation that enables construction and mining enterprises to reach new depths of the Earth’s surface. It makes it possible for engineers to direct their drilling equipment horizontally to create pathways through difficult terrain or locate deposits beneath the Earth’s surface. Many companies have used this technology to avoid rock formations and other obstructions while increasing their profits. It entails drilling precisely along the desired bore route and back reaming the appropriate

Contractors, local councils, and water authorities around Australia often grapple with the challenge of trenchless tunnelling in any terrain. In urban settings, they not only need to deal with busy environments but the difficulty of managing noise. In rural settings, getting to the site can create a unique set of circumstances. Two years ago, Construction Equipment Australia (CEA) became the Australian and New Zealand distributor of Ditch Witch underground construction equipment. As a result, CEA has launched the AT32 All Terrain horizontal directional drill (HDD). The AT32 enhances utility contractors’ productivity while drilling through hard rock. The newly designed mid-size drill replaces the AT30. They provide better power and easier system operation for increased operator efficiency and profitability.

Focus – Trenchless Technology. Pages 44-47.

David Middleton

It’s the core tenet of VicWater. We need to be deliberate, focused, and innovative in serving their needs “ ”

Highlands Water, that contract turned into nearly two years, a permanent position, and the start of a career in the water industry. Pages 55-57.

Association – Water Suppliers Association of Australia

The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is the peak industry body that connects the Australian urban water industry. It represents more than 100 public and privately owned water or water-related organisations. Its members provide water and sewerage services to more than 24 million customers in Australia and New Zealand. WSAA facilitates collaboration,

knowledge sharing, networking and cooperation within the urban water industry based on its vision of a ‘customer-driven, enriching life. Pages 58-59.

Personal Profile – Bradley Moggridge Indigenous people have lived on Australian lands for at least 65,000 years. Their knowledge of water and the environment will be critical going forward. Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge is a proud Murri from the Kamilaroi Nation. The Kamilaroi Nation is found in northwest New South Wales and crosses the border into southwest Queensland. As an in-land nation,

it has thrived on freshwater through the many rivers and wetlands that run through its lands. It also sits above the Great Artesian Basin, along with several other nations. Pages 58-59.

Bradley Moggridge

Removing con-creeks a passion for Tanya Ha

The intersection of science communication, and water

become a doctor like my father. I panicked because I did not want to become a doctor. I put down physiotherapy at first,” said Ha. Ha admits that her career has not followed any traditional pathways. She has spent time with Planet Ark, been a presenter for Catalyst, and was Vice President of Science & Technology Australia. She is now a science and environmental communication consultant at Science in Public and a director of

“One thing that we discovered with Planet Ark is that they weren’t communicating well with women in their discussions of sustainable living,” she said. “They had famous Australian environmentalists, but they were all men. Women would not listen to men about the type of sustainable nappies or green cleaners they should use at home. I had found a niche where I could promote something I believed in and make a difference in people’s lives.”

How women and mothers think

strategic science and environmental communicator and leader. She has 20 years of experience making complex subjects engaging and accessible to mainstream audiences. She is a regular among science and sustainability media and a communication and behaviour change consultant. She was a climate change delegate to the Australia 2020 Summit.

Being committed to a healthier and better Australia, Ha has been inspired by her daughter’s description of concreeks – concrete creeks that funnel water through the landscape. The idea to remove them and resume the

Victoria’s waterways is just one thing that inspires Ha in her work.

About Ha

As a child, Ha spent time exploring much the same way as other Australian kids – climbing trees and experimenting by accident. Thinking back on her childhood, she did not know what she wanted to do when she grew up until she started doing it.

“Like a good Chinese girl through school, I aimed to study medicine just like my father wanted. It was not until I started to fill out university application forms that I realised that if I studied medicine, I would

dedicated her adult life to communicating scientific information effectively to a broader audience.

As part of her Master’s degree research, Ha investigated how women change their behaviour in response to becoming a mother. Her data came from two government reports – the Green Light report from Sustainability Victoria and the Who Cares about the Government? report from the New South Wales Government.

“In looking at that data, I extracted the data specifically around women. The literature indicated that women made most decisions around water and energy use. I noticed that my friends without kids tended to ignore this environmental stuff I ranted about. However, as soon as they had kids, there was a complete flip. They would ask all these questions about recycled content products and

Photo by Andrew Tauber

phosphate-free laundry powders. That drove the idea behind children being agents of change,” said Ha.

Once Ha looked at the data, she could see some correlations between having children and a different attitude towards waste and recycling. Equally, there were some areas where there were no changes or no correlations.

“The thing I noticed after conducting interviews with mothers was that their behavioural change was not framed around environmental sustainability,” she said. “The consciousness around water and energy saving was about making ends meet for the family and making the home healthier. This family-oriented thinking was not specifically about the environment as such, but rather about providing a better life for their children.”

Nappies vs washing machines

Mothers’ most immediate and vexing issue is around the nappy selection. Ha pointed out that women are defensive about the type of nappies they use for their children. However, the difference in the environmental impact of disposable nappies compared with cloth depends on the type and efficiency of the washing machine. From her interviews, Ha learned that mothers always felt like they were in the laundry.

“Washing is probably one of the biggest things they do. They would say that everything gets dirty and are always in the laundry. They develop an awareness of how much laundry they are doing. It leads to understanding how much the washing machine uses water and energy. They start thinking about that in conjunction with their convenience and sanity before reassessing the right sort of washing machine,” said Ha. With front-loading washing

machines being more water and energy-efficient than top loaders, mothers become hyper-aware of the impact on their families.

Inconsistency and messaging

Ha noted that mothers’ green tendencies were patchy and inconsistent, tending towards teal once they have children. As such, they are not truly proenvironmentalists.

“Understanding what motivates them is key to promoting the right messaging to new mothers. The message is not just around saving water, but about how to make your

Tanya Ha at Newport Lakes, made from a rehabilitated bluestone quarry and rubbish tip site.

home healthier for you and your family,” said Ha.

In other words, the water sector needs to understand why mothers do what they do regarding household decisions. That also flows through to the information received by their children through education and awareness campaigns.

Involving children in reducing the water bill

While she acknowledged mothers’ behavioural change, Ha also noticed how geographically focused mothers are. They make local decisions due to the circles they travel in. This was

Photo by James Geer

even more true once their children entered school because they come back from school after learning new things.

Ha suggests working with the children to understand water consumption. She believes in helping them know the volume of water used instead of the bill’s cost.

“If the water bill drops, the children would get the difference as additional pocket money. The children then become acutely aware of water use,” said Ha. “The kids will

be looking around, making sure that the taps are off, asking why sprinklers are on at certain times, that sort of thing.

“One of my suggestions to parents is to deputise their kids to be the eco-police of the house. You can give them water pistols to squirt you if you leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.

“Kids are excellent at nagging and love telling their parents off if they are seen to be doing something wrong.”

Tanya Ha seeks to be a role model for mothers, women and children.

Supporting sustainability

Ha believes her role is more of an advisory and strategic position as a government-appointed director. She says Westernport Water is a very community-connected organisation, and with that, the team brings ideas to the board for consideration.

“One thing I am incredibly excited about is the Teal Carbon Project within the Western Port Integrated Water Management Forum,” she said.

“It keeps treated water out of Port Phillip Bay and recycles it to restore a wetland. We would rather use the water to irrigate, grow and rehabilitate areas with the right kind of species. That would lock in carbon and create a habitat for animals and flora in conjunction with Phillip Island Nature Parks.”

Westernport Water is also collaborating with the Blue Carbon Lab at Deakin University on the Teal Carbon Project. The opportunity to develop scalable and adaptable outcomes is valuable as a naturebased solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater.

“One area I would like to see more research on is how Australia’s ecosystems store carbon differently. We know the mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria store huge amounts of carbon,” said Ha. “However, if we study the literature, we read far more about the Amazon rainforest. We need to know more about our ecosystems in Australia to ensure that we have the solutions that will support our climate and provide benefits.”

Encouraging women in water and science

The managing director of Westernport Water is Dona Tantirimudalige. Having held the position for two years now, Ha believes that Tantirimudalige has been an excellent fit and a strong, vibrant role model for women.

Photo by Tim Bauer Leadership

“We have improved many of our diversity targets at Westernport Water. It’s not just Westernport Water, but the whole water sector in Victoria has been working hard on its gender equity,” said Ha. However, they are starting to work on programs around women of colour and intersectionality. That diverse approach to diversity is important.”

More than half of the board members at Westernport Water are female. Ha commented that gender equity is starting to balance out because of that leadership from the top.

“While there is still work to do, particularly in engineering roles, we are told that women are happy to have us in these leadership roles. The opportunity to progress is available to all candidates and sends a strong signal,” said Ha.

Ellen Swallow Richards

Many people have a scientific idol to whom they aspire to replicate or come close to representing. For Ha, that is sanitation expert, analytical chemist, and pioneering ecofeminist Ellen Swallow Richards.

Ha explained her love for Richards by talking about Richards’ passion for science and engineering.

“She was passionate about her work and did it with so much joy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and excitement, against opposition. She would have had the first postgraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), but they felt that the honour could not go to a woman,” said Ha.

Vassar College for Women astronomy professor Maria Mitchell told Richards, “You will make valuable discoveries in the course of your life,” and “Do not spend your pocket money on trivialities. Save up and buy a really good telescope.”

Richards was the only child of two teachers who firmly believed in the value of education. Critical of the standards of the local village school, they taught her themselves on the family farm. Ha found that the combination of home-schooling and growing up on the land led Richards to certain skills and knowledge that she may not have otherwise known, particularly around safe drinking water and sanitation.

“When she got to college and university, Richards learned the science behind safe drinking water and sanitation,” said Ha. “When she would go to the equivalent of housewarming parties for her friends, Richards would first go to their water supplies to see how safe they were. She had really practical advice.”

In thinking about herself and her role in life, Ha can see how

Fast fact

MIT nominated Ellen Swallow Richards as their 8th most important innovator in 2011.

Number 8: Drink up

Healthy eating and clean drinking water have been issues of concern for a lot longer than you realise. MIT home economics pioneer, Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911), was an expert in the preparation of nutritious foods and led the first survey of water quality in America. The survey prompted Massachusetts to establish the first waterquality standards and municipal sewage treatment plant in the country. Richards was also the first woman admitted to MIT, its first female instructor, the foremost female industrial and environmental chemist of her era, and an advocate of educating women in science.

women’s duties in science have found themselves in what is broadly called “domestic sciences.” They tend to include family sanitation, food hygiene and similar health issues. While that has now been called home economics, what is called home economics is very far from what domestic sciences were, certainly in the eyes of Richards. Ha believes science is useful and inspires curiosity, which is critical for any individual. “My science education taught me how to read the instructions on medicine, sort the crap from the credible, fact check information, and what to do if my daughter reacts to something she has eaten,” said Ha.

Removing con-creeks and the greening of Melbourne

When walking around with her daughter, Ha recalled that she called the concrete creeks made in the past “con-creeks.” Using that name has helped her think about ways to remove the concrete, given the volume of carbon built into it.

“That is one of the things I have noticed in the last 30 years,” she said. “Since I moved back to Melbourne in the 90s, I started to see the rewilding of some creeks and waterways. I also saw the widening of Swanston Street and adding trees to the CBD. It looks different, and I didn’t notice when it happened. However, after being away for a while, it looks different.”

Ha’s first story for Catalyst was about green roofs for adapting to climate change. She noted that people are now adjusting to the urban forest, having parks and access to green spaces.

“We must be more water sensitive. We need cities that are more resilient to climate change, beautiful to live in, and greener. I get so excited by this prospect.”

One of my suggestions to parents is to deputise their kids to be the eco-police of the house ”

Nanosilver might not be gold for water

Julia Cummins represented Australia at World Water Week and will participate in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, following her research into nanosilver. Inside Water spoke to her about her achievements, what it means, and her plans for the future.

SCIENCE HAS ALWAYS been a part of Julia Cummins’ life. She was always involved in extracurricular science activities from her primary school years, including building model volcanoes. These preliminary science experiments inspired her to get involved in more aspects of the scientific community.

As a Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) Sydney student, Cummins was welcomed into its biannual Science Summit. Interacting with guest speakers encouraged her to consider utilising science and communication as tools for innovation.

“I just love learning about how things work and how it fits together in the world,” said Cummins.

How nanosilver fits into Cummins’ interests

Nanosilver is a unique selection for a young woman to look into, but Cummins explained why she investigated it.

“I live near the water, so every couple of days, I would see kilograms of rubbish dumped on the shore. Plastic, needles, and all sorts of things are in these loads of awful rubbish. It got me thinking about the things we cannot see,” said Cummins.

Cummins referenced microplastics as being a key focus. She had asked herself about the other problematic things we cannot see in the water. This is

where she began her research and started with nanoparticles.

“Nanoparticles are an area of science that we do not know much about. From there, I found out about nanosilver,” said Cummins.

In her presentation, Cummins explained that nanosilver is nanoparticles of silver 1-100 nm in size. It is the most used nanoparticle in consumer goods such as cosmetics, textiles, and disinfectants. Nanosilver is used in these products for its antimicrobial properties, which kill bacteria, such as those in clothes, to prevent odour. Due to its nanosized particles, nanosilver poses potential ecotoxicity to ecosystems. To mitigate this damage, Cummins believes there should be a threshold developed that cannot be exceeded regarding nanosilver being used in products.

The risks of nanosilver

Cummins explained that nanosilver is everywhere in our modern lives. She cited its use in toothpaste, bandages,

Julia Cummins (above) Photo supplied

photographic films, children’s socks and internal catheters. Its antimicrobial properties are of particular interest to manufacturers.

“All these products release nanosilver into the environment when thrown away or washed. The nanosilver is not effectively removed in wastewater treatment plants, so it enters the environment. In that regard, it enters our bodies. The really concerning thing is that we don’t know much about how nanoparticles or nanosilver specifically affect the human body,” Cummins said.

Compared to bulk forms of silver, nanosilver particles have a larger surface area to volume ratio, accelerating the release of silver ions, the primary mode of nanosilver toxicity. This makes nanosilver more toxic. Silver ions penetrate cell membranes, leading to cellular compartments leakage, resulting in cellular death.

Cummins spoke about the opportunity to meet Professor Wojtek Chrzanowski at the University of Sydney Nano Institute. Professor Chrzanowski described to Cummins how when nanoparticles enter a cell, they damage DNA, lipids, and proteins, interfering with intracellular biological functions. This makes nanosilver a powerful microbial agent, a key reason its use is so widespread.

“While nanosilver is a powerful antimicrobial agent, its overuse outside medical applications makes it less and less effective where it is needed most,” said Professor Chrzanowski. “Declining antimicrobial activity is because bacteria develop a resistance to silver, similarly to antibiotic resistance. In addition, nanosilver incorporated into clothing impacts the skin microbiome. While there is no evidence that this

has a negative impact on human health, any disturbance to the microbiome can lead to negative immunological responses.”

“Importantly, when silver enters the environment, it has detrimental effects on the function of microorganisms. As evidenced by Miss Cummins and others, it alters the microbiological balance. Consequently, it influences the overall ‘health’ of holobiont – a biomolecular network composed of the host plus its associated microbes. It is therefore essential to understand the effect of nanosilver on environmental, micro- and organisms and human health. We need to develop strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of nanosilver, which is at the centre of Miss Cummins’ research project. Miss Cummins’ project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on good health, clean water, and life on land and below water. Her work also contributes to broader research

As the commercial applications of nanosilver increase, the level of nanosilver released into the environment also increases. When laundered, fabrics release on average 425 μg of nanosilver per kilogram of fabric into wastewater which, once treated, is released into the environment.

Nanosilver cannot be cleared from the wastewater plants easily Cummins said there is no specific process targeted at removing nanoparticles from water.

“While screening procedures do exist in wastewater treatment plants, they tend to focus on other factors like pH level.

“At the moment, there are no specific methods or mechanisms for dealing with nanoparticles,” said Cummins.

Julia Cummins (centre) receiving her award at

Some research in Europe and the United States has indicated some potential positive outcomes by using a super sulphide to remove nanoparticles in wastewater

The really concerning thing is that we don’t know much about how nanoparticles or nanosilver specifically affect the human body ”

Studying nanosilver with tiny aquatic creatures

In her experiment, Cummins used Daphnia magna, a small planktonic crustacean that could be considered a small water flea.

In her presentation, Cummins argued that Daphnia magna are established bioindicators of ecotoxicology, central to the food webs of freshwater lentic habitats. They are excellent model organisms with transparent bodies and hearts that are easy to see under the microscope. As nanosilver is toxic to aquatic organisms, it follows that nanosilver is also toxic to humans.

The potential for nanoparticles to cross the blood-brain barrier poses a threat to human health.

somewhere between 0.26-0.50 mg/L of nanosilver.

“While I could establish a range of toxicity for Daphnia magna, there is a difference between animal and human studies,” she said. “I also focused on water organisms because they are the ones who are currently most affected by nanosilver. However, comparing the value in Daphnia magna and nanosilver, we could look at other contaminants to get a rough idea of relative toxicity. The current problem is that we know so little about nanosilver and nanoparticles that we do not understand how these nanoparticles cross the blood-brain barrier. That’s completely different from how they interact with aquatic organisms.”

Silver has been used for decades for its antimicrobial properties in macro and nano forms. There is nothing that society can substitute for nanosilver. Cummins identifies this as a problem as nanosilver is used to offset antibiotic resistance.

“Nanoparticles represent a broad area of research. It is possible that in the future, we can use them safely or develop something that could have similar effects to nanosilver. However, the problem we are facing now is that pathogens are adapting to the materials we are using to try and kill them. To coin a phrase, there is no silver bullet right now,” said Cummins.

The future for Cummins

Cummins has started her first year of a medical degree at Western Sydney University. She acknowledged that while her research did not have a direct link to her academic pursuits, she does want to study the impact of nanoparticles on the body.

“People consume water all the time, so there will almost certainly be many crossovers between water, nanoparticles and medicine,” she said. “I will remain interested in nanosilver. There is a condition where your skin colour can change if you consume too much silver. We know that silver does impact the body, so the opportunity to examine bioaccumulation of nanosilver, microplastics or other nanoparticles would be fascinating.”

She was excited about being in Stockholm to learn about all the different problems identified by the competitors. Cummins has already connected with several competitors. She realised that the Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an opportunity to interact and collaborate with young scientists from around the world in a field that she is truly passionate about.

Cummins studying Daphnia magna under the microscope. Photo supplied

While Australia is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, water is not among them. Which is why it is crucial for Australia’s water network to explore more sophisticated and effective methods of treating water so that it is safe to drink.

This is one of the core goals of ifm, who are working with Australian wastewater treatment companies to streamline their operations and make them more efficient through the integration of digital sensor technology.

This white paper discusses the challenges around water treatment and how ifm is working with industry to address these. It also highlights the partnership between ifm and Australian wastewater treatment specialist, Aerofloat, and how ifm’s sensors and easy-to-use IO-Link connectivity solution has saved time and costs for Aerofloat’s customers.

Water conservation fundamental to education campaigns

Yarra Valley Water has invested a lot in its education campaigns around water conservation. Inside Water spoke to Managing Director Pat McCafferty about educating the community, marketing award nominations and working with First Nations groups.

YARRA VALLEY WATER (YVW) was nominated as a finalist in the ‘Sustainable Practices’ category of the 2022 Mumbrella Awards. It was nominated for its ‘Water Watchers’ campaign. The campaign features four aliens that have relocated to Earth after their planet became uninhabitable because it ran out of water. They sit on taps and act as a visual reminder to turn taps off when they’re not in use.

The fun and educational campaign encourages primary school children and families across Yarra Valley Water’s service area to place a ‘Water Watcher’ character on their taps at home. The campaign’s goal is

simple: to educate young Victorians that water is a precious resource, and everyone needs to save as much as possible. Ultimately, it creates a moment in children’s homes that encourages action and water-saving behaviours.

“We had a lot of fun planning and executing the Water Watchers campaign, and we’re thrilled that Mumbrella has recognised it as a meaningful and important sustainability campaign,” said YVW Managing Director Pat McCafferty. “We wanted to let our customers know that water conservation can be a fun and memorable experience, and I’m confident we achieved that.

Water Watchers campaign at a local school.

Photo by Yarra Valley Water

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the campaign, which is a credit to our team at Yarra Valley Water.”

While YVW did not win the award, which went to Tourism Noosa, the campaign represents the importance

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty. Photo by Yarra Valley Water

of increasing water literacy among its customers. McCafferty spoke about the campaign’s impact, how YVW is growing and what it means for water conservation.

Yarra Valley Water

In the eyes of McCafferty, culture is the key to the success of YVW. They have been on a journey of over 20 years to build a constructive and achievement-oriented culture. Human Synergistics, a globally recognised organisation, specialising in organisational behaviour and development, recently awarded YVW a cultural excellence award, only the second time this has been awarded in 40 years.

“It’s not just about having a great place to work. It’s about leveraging that to deliver great outcomes for the community, the customer, the environment, and our shareholders, which is the government. That’s the payoff of investing in culture,” said McCafferty.

“We must consider our broader role in society, so we consider our impacts, investments and where we can provide the greatest value. We think about externalities, climate change, sustainability, and many other aspects. As a result, we lean into those things when we are addressing primary societal challenges with our purpose of delivering an essential service that underpins health and well-being.”

McCafferty was appointed Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water on July 1, 2014. In a career spanning more than 30 years in the water industry, McCafferty has also worked in the USA water sector and advised the Australian Federal Government as part of the National Water Initiative.

McCafferty is former Chair of the Water Services Association of Australia and current Chair of the

Thriving Communities Partnership, a cross-sector collaboration to improve support for vulnerable customers of essential services. He is also on the Board of WaterAid Australia and is a member of the Committee for Melbourne’s Standing Committee for Infrastructure and Sustainability. He strongly advocates diversity in the water sector and is a member of the Ministerially appointed Leadership Oversight Committee for the Women in Water Leadership Program.

While he has enjoyed the challenges and opportunities presented by the water sector, McCafferty is a purpose-driven individual. In that respect, he has found himself in a purpose-driven organisation that seeks to make a difference in the community.

“The opportunity to work in an innovative space that looks after the

campaign in action at a local home.

has made Yarra Valley Water and the water industry an exciting place to work. It attracts great people of unique mindsets but with a similar focus. All these many things combine to create a compelling proposition,” he said.

Water education in the Water Watchers campaign

The Water Watchers campaign was a creative one. McCafferty spoke about the desire to find new and unique ways to connect with young people.

“No one really wants to talk about what happens in the sewerage system and fatbergs. However, when people are flushing wet wipes, they cause enormous infrastructure and environmental damage,” said McCafferty. “This water education campaign was inspired by a previous campaign that we called Don’t Feed the Fatberg. We were trying to think about how to engage differently with people on water conservation.”

Fast fact

YVW services two million people and more than 60,000 businesses across a 4,000-kilometre area, from Wallan in the north to Warburton in the east. They remove and treat sewage, most of which is transferred to Melbourne Water’s treatment plants. The rest is treated at its ten regional plants, where YVW recycles water for non-drinking purposes in homes, sports fields, and public spaces.

YVW owns and maintains over 20,000 kilometres of water and sewer mains.

Given how busy people are, Water Watchers and timers seemed to be an effective way of connecting with people. There was a twofold approach to implementing this strategy. First, there has been a shift in water use from outdoors to indoors, driven partly by education around the Millennium drought and partly by apartment living, smaller blocks, and fewer garden spaces. Second, the highest water use in homes now is in the shower.

“The idea was to create these characters that would be a permanent fixture in the house. They would tell a story to kids about the

Photo by Yarra Valley Water

personas of these characters that have come from a planet that hasn’t got any water. They are looking for water, but they are highly conscious of how precious water is. Each character provided a different lens in the home, whether brushing their teeth, turning off taps, or whatever the case was. It was targeted at kids and was highly effective,” said McCafferty.

The Water Watchers campaign was also a finalist in the Banksia National Sustainability Awards in 2021. The campaign entered 45 schools in YVW’s service area, with 3300 students participating in their outreach program. The response to the campaign was positive. A survey in October 2021 revealed that 92 per cent of customers had placed Water Watchers on their taps, 86 per cent said the devices had reminded them to take shorter showers, and 75 per cent had reduced their time using sink taps.

“All the teachers we talked to said they would recommend the program to their colleagues and other schools. They found it really useful and engaging, as well as suitable for the curriculum,” said McCafferty.

He acknowledged that the big challenge is connecting with teenagers and 18-to-25-year-olds. They are a different marketing challenge for corporations and will need something clever to engage them.

Exciting new projects

YVW has been successfully operating Australia’s largest food waste-

to-energy facility in Wollert since May 2017. It sits next to its Aurora sewerage treatment plant, and the electricity generated powers the facility and the sewerage treatment plant. The remaining 70 per cent of generated energy is exported to the electricity grid as renewable energy.

YVW is working on a bigger waste-to-energy facility at Lilydale to accept waste in 2024. Between the two facilities, they would divert over 80,000 tonnes of food waste every year. It helps keep them on the pathway to net zero carbon in 2025.

“We are already 60 per cent of the way there. This work is part of a massive suite of things we are doing to get all our energy needs from renewables. We are participating in the Zero Emissions Water project with our water utility colleagues, part of the Kiamal Solar Farm in northwest Victoria,” said McCafferty.

The waste-to-energy facility in Wollert is also operating a hydrogen

Fast fact

YVW serves a culturally diverse population expected to grow by more than 500,000 in the next 20 years.

Twenty-eight per cent of people in its region speak a language other than English. Greek is their customers’ most widely spoken language, followed by Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Arabic.

pilot scheme to produce green hydrogen. The ultimate goal is to reuse the oxygen from hydrogen production to make the sewerage treatment process more efficient.

McCafferty also spoke about developing a community farm at its Wollert site with Melbourne Polytechnic and Whittlesea Community Connections as part of a broader peri-urban food production goal.

“The aim is to create a farming enterprise and community food hub that showcases best practice sustainable agriculture (using our recycled water and renewable energy) and land management, provide pathways to employment, and provide food for vulnerable members of the local community. This will truly demonstrate the circular economy in action,” said McCafferty.

Importance of community

McCafferty is also a director of WaterAid Australia. He said his predecessor at YVW had brought the WaterAid concept to Australia and that it became a national entity quickly.

“Everyone in the industry saw the unique connection in what we do for communities we serve, along with the gaps in water and sanitation around the world,” said McCafferty.

In his eyes, WaterAid reinforces the importance of the industry’s work for its communities. Australian tap water is largely taken for granted compared to other countries worldwide.

“That does not happen everywhere else in the world. For me, it amplifies and reconnects us to our core purpose. If we can help others outside our region, then we should do so. We know that clean water and sanitation is probably the most significant thing that would make a fundamental difference in

A ReWaste facility in Wollert, north of Melbourne. Photo by Yarra Valley Water Community Education

people’s lives. For us, it’s a massive connection to the work we do,” said McCafferty.

He highlighted the importance of incorporating Indigenous voices and knowledge into water planning and structures for YVW. Having finished its second Citizen’s Jury for their Pricing Submission, YVW is also implementing its second Reconciliation Action Plan.

“We’re really fortunate because we had the privilege of having First Nations elders come in. They spoke to the jury about their philosophies about care for Country and care for the environment. It had such a

profound impact on the jury that their first recommendation for our long-term planning was to embed care for Country principles into our thinking. The foundation of our second Citizen’s Jury was around First Nation’s voices, so it was just great to have that as a primary consideration,” said McCafferty.

He pointed out that First Nations people looked after their Country and community extremely well. There are opportunities to

Yarra Valley Water’s first waste to energy plant in Wollert, which is next to the Aurora Sewage Treatment Plant.

Photo by Yarra Valley Water

learn from their philosophies to improve the outcomes we deliver, including looking after the natural environment.

“Embedding water rights for traditional owners and supporting the truth-telling process is very important. While there is more to be done, I’m proud of how fast the water sector has embraced reconciliation and is showing leadership in this field,” said McCafferty.

Pyrolysis innovation delivers on biochar potential

In partnership with RMIT University, Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) and Greater Western Water, South East Water is helping to prove PYROCO, a RMIT innovation that has improved the efficiency of biochar production.

BIOSOLIDS ARE A by-product of wastewater treatment and once converted into biochar, is a valuable resource for industry, particularly agriculture. The unique pyrolysis technology is a game changer for industry across the globe.

The challenges biosolids pose to industry

As a wholly owned subsidiary of South East Water, Iota is supporting commercialisation of solutions by the utility’s research and development arm.

Eamon Casey, Technical Director at Iota, explained how water authorities are acting to strengthen the circular economy while protecting the environment from the impacts of microcontaminants.

“Most treatment facilities manage sludge waste through drying, stockpiling and transporting to be used for land spreading. A deepening understanding of the impacts of microcontaminants on the environment has driven water authorities to look for alternatives,” said Casey.

“Water authorities in Australia, the UK, the EU, and parts of the US have the same challenge. They must be conscious of the environmental implications of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, microplastics and other emerging contaminants and they are looking for an alternative,” said Casey.

RMIT has worked with South East Water over the last five years to develop a more efficient pyrolysis approach with low energy requirements. PYROCO offers

water authorities a carbon positive approach for managing biosolid waste.

PYROCO a game changer for industry

IWN represents the interests of the Victorian water industry. In mid2021, South East Water, Greater Western Water and IWN operated a PYROCO pilot plant with a capacity of 1 tonne per day.

RMIT developed PYROCO, an innovative efficient reactor, the first of its kind in Australia.

PYROCO has a number of benefits that differentiate the technology from other reactor systems. One

of the game changers is that it’s very efficient at converting organic material into high-quality biochar.

PYROCO is highly energy efficient. As utilities seek to achieve climate neutral footprints, the technology facilitates carbon sequestration, enabling utilities to operate beyond carbon neutral, into carbon negative, including the opportunity for carbon offsets.

“Gases and biosolids meet within the reactor on a fluidised bed at 600-700 degrees Celsius, and the biosolids become biochar in milliseconds. Gases discharging through the top of the reactor are reused,” said Casey.” We can produce enough biochar without needing external energy beyond the pilot light,” said Casey.

Biochar (left) and biosolids (right) comparison

Contaminants in biosolids including PFAS and microplastics are a problem reducing the option for conventional land spreading. The PYROCO pilot

plant produces biochar with no detectible PFAS.

There is also a reduction in waste volume, a diversion of waste from landfill, and reductions in the transport cost and emissions associated with land spreading.

The process delivers a high value biochar suitable for a variety of industrial applications beyond traditional agricultural use.

The PYROCO plant is highly portable given its modularised design and small footprint. This is especially advantageous for regional water authorities with smaller stockpiles, as it is more efficient to move the plant rather than the stockpile, from site to site.

“The disposal of biosolids is a challenge across the water industry.

South East Water is continually looking for ways we can work with others to create innovative solutions to protect our environment and help our customers and community. This technology is scalable, a key benefit of the solution for urban and regional water utilities,” said South East Water’s Managing Director, Lara Olsen.

Australia’s future biochar landscape

South East Water Senior Research Scientist and Centre Deputy Director (Industry) for the Australian Research Council Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource, Aravind Surapaneni has been working on this technology for years. His work on

feedstock for pyrolysis, the organic inputs into pyrolysis including food waste and garden waste from compost screening, is key to the development of optimal biochar.

PYROCO is unique in that it can accommodate varied feedstocks such as organics or outputs from agriculture. That will make it attractive for regional organic networks.

“If you understand your feedstock, you can make the right biochar. We spent three and a half years working towards a pilot plant at Greater Western Water’s Melton Recycled Water Plant in Melbourne,” said Surapaneni.

“We thank Greater Western Water for getting involved and providing their Melton site. We successfully

PYROCO pilot plant controls

demonstrated the technology and are now building a commercial demonstration plant. It’s scheduled to be ready by the end of 2023.”

Innovative technology brings with it economic opportunities as well. “It is an Australian homegrown technology,” Surapaneni said.

“This emerging thermal technology space is new for the water industry. The next generation of chemical engineers will need training in new techniques and methodologies. Biochar is the next important development for the water industry in Australia, North America, and Europe.”

He commented that there would be opportunities for the industry to expand as more market segments learn about the benefits of biochar. Currently, Australia is a net importer of biochar.

South East Water’s Research and Development Manager, David Bergmann agrees. He talked about the different grades of biochar.

“The biochar we are creating through pyrolysis has an incredible pore structure. It has capacity to hold things within that structure,” he said. “We know it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrients, and trace elements useful for agriculture.”

While the ability to create biochar’s suited for different industries is an opportunity, Bergmann is also looking at activated carbon. Biochar can be manufactured into activated carbon where there is a potential opportunity for use in filtration applications

“Early research suggests Biochar has potential use as a binding agent in road base and as a cement replacement. We believe that a road base adhesive is a viable short-term solution. If we were to create high carbon biochar, there are additional use cases in sodium-ion batteries,” said Casey.

Bergmann added that a natural by-product is hydrogen, which has a high value.

Where to from here?

South East Water and Iota are building a larger scale PYROCO plant designed to process up to 3,000 tonnes of biosolids a year, producing

approximately 500 tonnes of biochar. Iota, a wholly owned subsidiary of South East Water, is excited by the technology and is uniquely placed to support South East Water to realise PYROCO’s value for industry.

For more information visit iotaservices.com.au

PYROCO pilot plant - biosolids feed hoppers

The future landscape of biosolids reuse –building resilience

UP TO 400,000 dry tonnes per annum of biosolids are produced from Australian and New Zealand sewage treatment plants. There needs to be a serious discussion about what is done with those biosolids, according to John Koumoukelis, CEO of Hydroflux Epco.

Across the globe, the last decade has seen a trend toward diverting biosolids from landfills. Trends have also discouraged some countries from using biosolids for agricultural purposes. In addition, governments have been considering alternative treatments to address public concerns over pollutants such as

One of the six Sludge2Energy monoincineration plants.

micro-plastics and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

In 2017, Germany banned the agricultural use of biosolids. This led to the construction of numerous advanced biosolids facilities, most of which are based on monoincineration.

Mono-incineration is a process that uses biosolids derived from sewage as a fuel source to generate power. This powers the incineration plants and returns energy to the local domestic grid.

The HUBER Belt Dryer BT produces a dry, low-dust, disinfected granular biosolids product, which is easy and safe to handle. The dryer uses the exhaust heat on site and reduces disposal costs.

Other markets have looked at alternative solutions, such as hydrolysis upstream of biosolids digestion to enhance biogas/ electricity production. They ultimately produce a class A biosolid that can be reused without restriction.

“As the Australian and New Zealand agent for HUBER Technology, we are fortunate to have access to HUBER’s global expertise in biosolids treatment. It can play a key role in generating renewable electricity by

Biosolids have been a flashpoint for wastewater treatment plants, with new regulations forcing them to rethink their approach. Mono-incineration could be an alternative option.

Photo by HUBER SE

Photo by HUBER SE

unlocking its energy potential,” said Koumoukelis.

Sludge2Energy has built up its reference base after ten years of operating its first mono-incineration plant in Straubing, Germany. It now has six facilities under construction. Its project at Hanover-Lahe began construction in February 2021 and will start regular operation in early 2023. On completion, it will process 130,000 tonnes per annum of biosolids that provide power for up to 5000 households.

Mono-incineration and other similar processes are topics discussed among many Australian water authorities. Lessons learnt in the design and operation of the drying step are something Hydroflux can offer in addition to the Sludge2Energy process itself.

“Partial drying, which produces biosolids with 40 per cent dry solids, can be an ideal intermediate step that bridges the gap between business-as-usual practice and planning for resilience,” said Koumoukelis.

HUBER’s biosolids drying technology includes RotaDry Disc Dryers, BT Belt Dryers, and Solstice Solar Dryers. These technologies rely on a heat source, typically a waste gas produced within the treatment plant that can be reused. Solstice relies on renewable solar energy as the heat source.

Key features of drying include reduced transport costs and associated carbon emissions. They also have the option for class A biosolids for unrestricted beneficial reuse and future planning for further advanced treatment.

About HUBER SE HUBER is headquartered in Berching, Germany. It is a globally active company in water, wastewater, and sludge treatment. It is a joint venture

member of Sludge2Energy.

Hydroflux is HUBER’s exclusive Australian, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Pacific Islands representative.

About Hydroflux

The Hydroflux Group consist of eleven specialist companies that aim to deliver the highest level of engineering and scientific knowhow to the emerging issues of sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental protection with a specific focus on water and wastewater.

The Group employs over 100 staff and operates throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, with office locations in

A HUBER SE BT thermal drying facility is designed to provide highquality biochar.

Photo by HUBER SE

A HUBER SE dryer belt.

Photo by HUBER SE

A sludge thermal belt dryer in action as part of the Sludge2Energy process.

Photo by HUBER SE

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Suva, and Portsmouth.

Contact Hydroflux at www.hydroflux.com.au (or www.hydroflux.nz)

Pump monitoring solution saves money and energy

data generated in the production plants can be read and processed easily and used as a basis for sustainable corporate decisions.

MORE COMPANIES ARE looking for high-end pump monitoring solutions for their wastewater and water treatment systems. These all-encompassing projects focus on equipment performance, saving money and energy.

Many companies are looking beyond a single product when discussing pump monitoring systems. They are looking for turnkey solutions from companies they would consider partners. This is

where ifm efector steps in, with their Moneo DataScience Toolbox. ifm efector is a manufacturer of industrial sensors and solutions for technical processes. They specialise in using sensors, networking and control systems for a broad range of specialised applications. As an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform, ifm’s Moneo system combines the level of operation technology with the level of information technology. The sensor

The Moneo DataScience Toolbox will work for any number of industries, including water and wastewater treatment systems.

Photo by ifm efector

Moneo has a modular structure and consists of a basic software package and applications. It can be used for condition monitoring or IO-Link sensor parameter setting, which makes it possible to create a tailormade software package for every requirement.

Pump monitoring and energy efficiency

Youssef Attallah explained that market trends showed increased energy auditing and monitoring demands around the pumping industry. The big impact was that many industries use pumps, but primarily the water and wastewater industries are at the forefront of utilising the technology.

One issue for industries that use pumps is that they want to operate as efficiently as possible. If they are not operating as efficiently as possible, they use more energy, or there can be an increased risk of a fault occurring. The point of optimal efficiency is called the best efficiency point (BEP), which represents the best combination of specific flow rate and head/pressure.

Problems associated with high head and low flow rates include high temperatures, low flow cavitation, low seal and bearing life, and recirculation issues. If the flow rate is too high, it can reduce seal and bearing life while causing cavitation.

Getting the calculation right is critical. The Queensland government recently audited 180 farms. The audit found that there were potential savings of over three gigawatt hours by upgrading pumps and irrigation systems. Attallah pointed out that these upgrades would save the farms nearly $1.5 million and over 2400

ifm’s Moneo system combines the level of operation technology with the level of information technology. Inside Water spoke to Youssef Attallah, the Regional Sales Manager of ifm efector, to find out more about this technology.

tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“The Queensland Government created some incentives and programmes to help increase the efficiency of their pumps,” said Attallah.

“Each pump will have a preferred operating range, which should be close to its BEP. The Moneo system is designed to calculate and monitor the pump’s BEP, providing live feedback. It allows the user to make informed decisions to select the right pump combination to achieve BEP. The Moneo system is also cognisant of each pump type, so it can operate within its preferred range and close to its BEP while remaining under warranty conditions.”

Why use Moneo

Attallah spoke about the importance of Moneo within a pumping operation. It can automatically calculate efficiencies to assist in operating pump schedules, maintenance schedules, plan operations, and various other systems. This artificial intelligence (AI) data system ensures maximum efficiency for the operator.

“One customer has a site with six pumps that they wanted to operate as much as possible. Previously, they had to manage their pump operations manually. That meant they had to do a lot of calculations and mathematics every day, with a dedicated programmer to manage the pumps,” said Attallah.

He highlighted that Moneo could work in most pumping situations. Pumps are used in a highly diverse range of industries, not just water and wastewater. They are used in both wet and dry situations. Moneo can adjust to any situation.

“This system can be used in irrigation pumps, water supply systems, cooling towers, water treatment plants, wastewater

treatment plants, process pumps and pumping stations,” said Attallah.

The system is designed to be simple, user-friendly, intelligent, reliable, and individual. It is also designed to provide the exact information that the users need.

One system feature, Data Science Toolbox, is designed to enable the automatic and early detection of anomalies in a critical process value. It uses dependent sensor data and process parameters from the sensor range manufactured by ifm.

How Moneo works

The system’s toolbox is designed to monitor critical process values on an ongoing basis. It uses AI methods to develop a mathematical model for determining target values. As more data is added, the model changes and adapts, so measured behaviour can be evaluated, and any deviations are adjusted accordingly.

“It is simple because the users do not need data science expertise. Moneo is user-friendly, with automated data preparation and quality checks. The AI systems are constantly training their models and verifying their accuracy against incoming data. It is a reliable system running in the background to monitor target variables. Our solutions are focused on what the customer wants, not the same solution we give everyone,” said Attallah.

While many existing methods currently operate on SCADA systems, it has been important for Attallah

The moneo datascience is a complete toolkit for many enterprises.

Photo by ifm efector

and his colleagues to explain to clients that Moneo is not supposed to replace their existing setup. It can complement their current system and will not use the bandwidth needed for existing data systems. It is intended to provide insights and foresight into their assets.

The customer’s journey

The individual focus is key for ifm efector. It is critical to understand their client and adjust to their needs. Attallah believes that the future of ifm is all around being part of the customer’s journey.

“We are not just here to provide sensors. We are looking to provide complete solutions that complement their existing systems. We focus on communicating at every level of an organisation so that they understand what we can do for them,” said Attallah.

A monitoring system for moneo datascience.

Photo by ifm efector

“We want to be a one-stop-shop for customers. We can work at all levels from a consultancy to hardware to software.”

For more information visit www.ifm.com/au/en

The 6X: VEGA’s new simple radar formula for better processes

How do you optimise a level sensor that already has everything: the best focusing, highest accuracy, simple operation, universal communication? VEGA ushers in a new level era with the radar sensor VEGAPULS 6X.

WHAT SOUNDS LIKE an obvious question has led VEGA to create much more than just an even better sensor. When using the new VEGAPULS 6X, it’s not just the sensor that counts, but what can be

suitable radar sensor begins with the question, which frequency would work best for this application? Do we need 26GHz, 80GHz, or would 6GHz be better? This is followed by thoughts

With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA has turned the traditional way of choosing an instrument inside out: there is now only one radar

specific installation environment. Furthermore, the temperature range or the presence of aggressive chemicals may cause concern. Will a standard process fitting be sufficient?

Would special materials that meet the highest requirements be the right choice? The user may not be completely sure and wants to be on the safe side. What else should be considered if the sensor is to measure great distances or be exposed to wind and weather all year round?

These and countless other questions make one thing clear – with such a wide choice, users also have to select the right one. Customers must choose from the variety of radar sensors that are currently on offer. Because application areas are becoming increasingly multi-faceted with more complex processes, the buyer needs a good understanding and overview of what’s on the market. It takes the right know-how, experience, and time to avoid making costly bad investments and get a reliable measuring system.

A new certainty: “One for everything”

Until now, choosing an instrument was a laborious process and often involved a lot of questions and product research. VEGA is now turning this process inside out with its new VEGAPULS 6X.

“Ultimately, it’s not the sensor that counts, but what the users can achieve with it in their applications”, says Florian Burgert, one of the product managers who has been involved in the development of the sensor from the outset.

“Just knowing that they’ve chosen the best possible instrument solution and that they’ll reach their goal faster, makes a big difference in their everyday operations,” said Burgert.

The company sees VEGAPULS 6X as a sensor for all applications. Selecting

the right frequency, or determining the DK value of the medium, are no longer obstacles because choosing the right sensor specifications has become easier. The new configurator asks for the type of application and then determines which sensor version is required. The procedure now consists of a few mouse clicks. An advisory discussion with a VEGA radar specialist is still a good alternative to the configurator. In any case, the result is simplicity for users and a measurement solution that delivers results independently of the media properties, process conditions, vessel shapes and internal installations.

Over 1 million instruments in use worldwide

The radar success story of VEGA began 30 years ago. It includes milestones such as the world’s first two-wire radar instrument and the first 80GHz radar sensor for liquids on the market. There are now well over one million radar instruments from VEGA in use worldwide – in industries such as chemical, energy, food, oil and gas and many others. New features arise with each new instrument generation, becoming more reliable, accurate, robust, and flexible.

Four-stage, all-round protection

VEGAPULS 6X also offers decisive technical innovations – it has a comprehensive safety concept. Functional safety is guaranteed, as it conforms to all the requirements of the Safety Integrity Level. The certified sensor has exceptional SIL characteristics and provides the necessary operational protection to minimise risks in safety-related applications.

Another increasingly important focus is “cybersecurity”. In this regard, VEGAPULS 6X conforms

to IEC 61511. It fulfils the strictest requirements for system access and communication control security. It thus guarantees process security right through to the control system.

A third important aspect of its safety features is its self-diagnosis system. It continuously monitors the function of the sensor and recognises if it has been impaired in any way, thus contributing to higher plant availability and sensor performance.

A new, second-generation radar chip directly from VEGA is central to these features. There was no chip available on the market that would have met all requirements. The

research and development team set to work to design one themselves, from scratch.

“The result pretty much consolidates our entire radar experience from three decades”, says VEGA product manager Jürgen Skowaisa. “In its scope and functionality, the chip is unique worldwide.”

It is characterised by low energy consumption, high sensitivity, scalable architecture, and universal applicability. The radar antenna system and the chip are connected directly to each other, without any cable, for maximum performance.

Functional safety (SIL), a system for self-diagnosis, was developed according to the latest IT security standard IEC 62443-4-2 for effective protection against cyber attacks.

went beyond product design: What will be the long-term impact of this technology on the people who use it? How can their work be simplified? What can future goals of the industry be realised with the new technology?

FOCUS Sensors

This approach gave rise to the impulses that make VEGAPULS 6X different. Other points came into focus by considering the users and the process conditions of their applications.

These include the challenges in using measuring instruments, such as complicated adjustment procedures, the constant pressure to increase efficiency, and time constraints in general.

Focusing on the application

The actual task of level sensors is to help users and make monitoring their industrial processes easier. They often make processes more controllable and efficient.

Even if they are easy to use,

selecting the right one for an application can still be difficult.

Skowaisa summarises the strategy VEGA is pursuing with VEGAPULS 6X by “maximum simplification.”

“Until now, there were many different sensors that could be used for an application, but today, with VEGAPULS 6X, there is one sensor for all applications,” he said.

“Even setup and commissioning have been reduced to a minimum, requiring just a few clicks and basic data input.

“Our customers can even order a factory-calibrated sensor that is customer-specific down to the last detail, that only must be installed and connected. It doesn’t get any easier than that.”

Performance, no matter what the application involves –liquids or bulk solids, high temperatures or pressures, dust, or extreme noise –VEGAPULS 6X delivers measured values under all process conditions.

The radar sensor is custom-assembled at VEGA based on the specified parameters and process conditions.

Radar made for people With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA has rounded out its radar measurement technology with four innovations; more safety and self-diagnosis; new radar chip technology; new application possibilities; and simpler adjustment.

“Furthermore, our technology has reached such a high level today that reliable function is no longer the issue.

“The only risk now is choosing the wrong sensor,” said Skowaisa.

“Thanks to the new approach with VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA now provides the tools to get the right sensor version for the application in 99 per cent of cases. Experienced application engineers are kept on standby to help with the special, more difficult applications.

In the future, the user will no longer have to worry about the technology, frequency, or instrument version –the measurement will work.”

More information is available at www.vega.com/radar

Mackay begins second round of smart water meter installations

Mackay Regional Council has planned its second round of smart water meters after successfully saving money and water over the past ten years. Thanks to its collaboration with Taggle Systems, Mackay has avoided building a new water treatment plant until at least 2048.

DURING THE MID-2000S, the Mackay region of Queensland was experiencing a booming economy and rapid population growth. These created increasing pressure on the cost of delivering water and sewerage services. It also created a need for a new water treatment plant in the future. However, such

capital investment is significant, and it was hoped that this type of capital investment could be delayed.

Enter Taggle Systems. Mackay Regional Council and Taggle Systems partnered to develop a smart water network with automatic meter reading devices to be rolled out across the area to collect data.

Andrea Thayer is the Stakeholder and Client Support Officer for Mackay Regional Council. She knows how important it is to engage with the community, look at the impact of providing data to engaged consumers, and what the next step means for Mackay.

Where it started

The original goal of the program was to reduce water use. Thayer pointed out that the Council wanted to reduce people’s water consumption.

“Our daily water demand was getting really high. All the evidence indicated that it was mostly outdoor water use. We did a marketing campaign to educate people about better times of the day to water their lawns. That way, we could encourage people to use less water and still have green grass,” she said.

The next stage of the campaign was to introduce the remote readers and then the public portal where people could access their water consumption. Council installed the MRC-1 and ADC-1 devices connected to Taggle’s Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) on every water connection in Mackay. Mackay and Tyeware worked with Taggle to develop an analytical platform called MiWater (now Aqualus Water) to understand the data, while customers could access a portal called MyH20.

Another key point is that the remote readers’ data allowed Mackay to understand their trunk and reticulation network. This knowledge includes non-revenue water and losses by completing water balance calculations at a DMA (District Metered Area) level.

Council found a 12 per cent reduction in per capita residential water consumption following its campaign. That may not seem like much, but about 30 litres per person

per day adds to a lot of water.

“We’ve only got about 17,000 customers connected to our public portal out of about 45,000 customers connected to our water supplies. We have struggled to get more people signed up unless a large water bill impacts them,” said Thayer.

Community buy-in

Getting the community to buy into the program has been a challenge. According to Thayer, those signed up tend to be highly engaged with the program.

“When a large water bill impacts people, they often complain that they have not been told earlier,” Thayer said. “We tell them that if they had signed up to the portal, they would find out within three days instead of the extended period they have experienced. That has driven some sign-ups. We still send notifications about signing up to the portal every month.”

Thayer pointed out that detected leaks are usually on the property owner’s side, not the councils. While it might be confronting for property owners, Mackay contacts them to inform them of the leaks. It is part of going above and beyond to build a relationship with property owners.

“I keep an eye on the portal daily, at least from my end. It always tells me the top five water leaks within the regions,” she said. “Some of them could be hospitals or shopping centres, so you ignore them. However, whenever you see a residential customer in the top five leaking a lot of water hourly, I’ll ring them myself. It can be tough trying to convince them that it’s not all the kids showering at the same time or guests visiting. Getting people to understand a leak instead of high consumption can be challenging.”

One of the biggest challenges in this educational battle is helping

people understand what a leak is.

“Not all leaks are visible. In Mackay, almost everyone is built on sand, so it is much harder to see where there is an obvious leak. A greener patch of grass would be a clear example,” said Thayer.

Cost of living benefits

Thayer pointed out that living costs have been combined seamlessly with the new meters and customer portal. People get a monthly consumption report to budget for their water bills. Mackay issues water bills every six months. She noted it was interesting that more than 90 per cent of complaints related to water bills are from people who have not signed up to their portal.

“We provide relief on people’s water bills if they have any leaks. Part of the criteria to receive that relief is signing up to the portal. In that way, they can avoid any future problems. That’s been received extremely well by the community,” she said.

However, some people get upset now that they are not notified as early as expected. Thayer recounted a story of a customer experiencing a massive leak but not responding to the notifications or phone calls.

“We sent him a text message through the system, and within half an hour, he called Council,” she said. “The call centre put him through to me, and he was extremely rude. He

was asking what we would do about the leak, and I had to point out that the leak was on his property. It was his responsibility, and Council was trying to save him money.”

Privacy vs data

Explaining how the data extracted from the meters would affect citizens was tough in the early days. According to Thayer, it is not such an issue since people have developed a relationship between the data they are receiving and what is being absorbed by other utilities.

“Ten years ago, people were slightly sceptical about handing over their data,” she said. “It’s all about people’s mentality at the time, so it has changed a bit. Now that they know what is going on, it’s a lot easier.”

One unexpected element of adding remote readers and the portal was the amount of data people can now access. While it allows them to see their daily consumption, there is a push for more data.

“We did not realise that people always want more,” said Thayer.

“We decided early on not to offer hourly information to customers because that would be too much of an invasion of privacy. We did not want to be seen as a Big Brother organisation watching over the citizens, so we offered daily data. We have found that the more data we provide, the more they want. We

Len DeThomasis reads meter (left), then types info into the tough book (right). Photo by Mackay Regional Council

FOCUS Sensors

are still working out what to do with that.”

Thayer spoke of one customer who complained that they did not receive a notification after leaving a garden hose on for a day and a half. The systems are currently set up to notify someone if there is a constant flow for more than two days. They would receive a notification on the third day. Thayer pointed out that people are constantly pushing for more data and information, which is a challenging issue for Council to deal with.

Having access to all that data has taught Mackay a lot about its water users. Thayer cited an outer suburb that has bigger blocks. They tend to consume more water per capita for outdoor purposes than the rest of the council area. The pumps in that area struggled to keep up with demand, so Council opted to issue a press release that named and shamed specific streets that were using too much water.

“Councillors were not too impressed with this strategy. However, it helped with reducing water consumption,” said Thayer. “The pressure from neighbours, implicit or otherwise, really impacted

The MyH2O platform has been excellent in providing high-quality information.

Photo by Mackay Regional Council

people. They realised that their actions impacted the whole neighbourhood. While we got in some trouble from the higher-ups, it effectively reduced the stress on the pumps.”

Meter Replacement Program –Round Two

As the devices are now up to ten years of age, Mackay and Taggle are planning the next round of installations. Mackay is the first council in Australia to begin its second round of smart water meter installs after a successful ten years of water savings.

Taggle now has an integrated Honeywell meter available from 20mm for residential properties up to 40mm for apartments and commercial buildings. These robust devices make for easy installation and device management. The add-on telemetry devices will also be used across the region for challenging radio environments or for larger-sized meters.

Beginning round two has led to a key education campaign to explain that while one person’s meter may look different from another person’s, they are still doing the

same functions.

“Another issue is that we did a massive replacement program ten years ago. We currently have lots of water meters and remote readers that need replacing. The goal is to spread that out over the next two to three years. That way, we can install them more reasonably.

The new meters will read more accurately than our existing water meters, improving our understanding of usage across the network. This enhanced level of accuracy may increase some customer’s bills whose old meters were underreading or not transmitting usage information correctly,” said Thayer.

Thayer acknowledged an anticipated increase in customer inquiries when the new bills go out. They are not sure what the change in bills will be. However, given that there are meters that have stopped working, some customers will receive accounts representing their actual consumption for the first time in a while.

“When looking at renewal programs, we can pull all this information to understand infrastructure better than we could before,” said Thayer.

Implementing smart meters and the communication strategy increased water education throughout the region. It has resulted in a reduction in water consumption, increased knowledge around water conservation and better relations between customers and Council. The need for a new water treatment plant has now been pushed back to 2048, saving Council capital expenditure in the face of a changing climate. The partnership between Taggle and Council has been beneficial, and both parties hope it will continue to be good for years to come.

For more information visit taggle.com.au

Holistic water management: navigating the infrastructure cliff

With so much of our water infrastructure due for renewal over the next decade, including asbestos cement pipes, success will come from insights into asset conditions and failure mechanisms and a collaborative approach to solutions.

MUCH HAS BEEN made of the “infrastructure cliff” identified in Infrastructure Australia’s Australian Infrastructure Audit 2019. The report highlighted that as Australia reaches the end of its water assets’ expected service life, the renewal cost could overwhelm water authorities and their ability to meet their customers’ expectations.

Since then, innovation and advancement have occurred rapidly in some parts of the sector. But

it’s not always beneficial and often doesn’t solve the deeper problem.

“I’m quietly sceptical of some of the new products on the market and quite excited about others,” said Will Zillmann, National Product Manager from pipeline infrastructure company, Interflow.

“Companies will often bring new technologies to market seemingly without understanding the technical parameters around how they may need to perform. They’re sold into

It is important for all parties to work together on managing water infrastructure projects. Photo by Interflow

the market without understanding the benefits and risks.”

“For example, many newly marketed pipe-renewal technologies leave existing service connections in place rather than replacing them. Those connections are typically the same age as the host pipe.

“If you’re replacing or renewing only the host pipe, it’s probably not long before those connections fail. Compare that to our RediFlow technology, where we go in and renew all the connections when we renew the pipes. It means you’re not returning to the same customer group two years down the track and giving them more grief because you must dig again.”

But what is the root cause? How does a water authority get to a

stage where it can feel confident about avoiding infrastructure cliff by planning proactive renewals?

Let’s use asbestos cement pipes as a case study.

Asbestos cement: A blessing and a curse

“Different failure mechanisms require different treatments,” said Zillmann.

“Asbestos cement (AC) pipes generally have an average service life of 40 to 70 years. Given that the last AC pipe was put in the ground in 1986 in Australia, we’re coming into a period in which many of these assets will be starting to show significant signs of failure.”

There are many complications around the rehabilitation of AC pipes. Pipe-bursting AC water mains is no longer seen as acceptable. As soon as you run a bursting head through an AC pipe, it quickly changes from being non-friable to friable, becoming more dangerous.

“You’re putting asbestos fibres into the ground around the hotspot, so the industry no longer allows pipe bursting of asbestos cement,” said Zillmann.

“But if we dig it up and replace it, we’re taking asbestos from one location to another and increasing the amount of landfill with a highly dangerous product. We’re creating a problem for future generations.”

What’s the solution?

It’s the same for any pipe, according to Zillmann. It’s about developing a clear picture of the existing assets’ conditions and types to appreciate that they all have some form of value.

“As an industry, we don’t always look at things holistically,” Zillmann said. “We’re often driven by shortterm budgets rather than matching budgets to solve the greater issues.”

“If a pipeline has had failures, we

replace it. We see it as an isolated pipeline and attack the problem on a reactive basis. We don’t see that we’ve got this asset class installed in that area in the same period, so they’ll all be at risk of failure.”

A holistic approach to renewing a larger area reduces unit costs and improves the long-term customer experience. It also means water pressures can be dialled back up, if they have been reduced in the past, to protect the infrastructure or reduce leakage.

In the case of AC pipes, different trenched and trenchless techniques can be used to renew an entire service area. It depends on the specific site and asset conditions and the needs of water authorities and their customers.

Thorough knowledge of the condition of the entire water and pipe network allows good and effective decisions to be made around these processes.

What holistic water infrastructure management looks like Scott Jordan-Legg, Segment Lead for Water at Interflow, pointed out that if water managers think more holistically about their renewal strategy in a suburb or service area, they could realise enormous efficiency gains.

“If we were developing a 20- or 30-year renewal program, we could look for optimisation and efficiency and not simply respond to the here and now. Yes, we’d have to maintain some pipe, but we could also reline most of it and upsize some of the networks,” said Jordan-Legg.

“For example, if I know I’ve got 200 assets to manage in a service area, I might identify 160 that we could line by taking a holistic approach. That means another 20 could be maintained, and the remaining 20 could be upsized. An approach like

this would enable us to maintain service capacity within the network while also providing the water managers with the economic benefits and efficiencies of an optimised renewal approach.”

Much of the expense of a contractor crew comes from mobilisation. Once the team is mobilised, adding several hundred metres of pipe for re-lining brings in economies of scale.

Scheduling work into larger, planned blocks rather than reacting after a failure also helps to increase customer, council and Department of Transport expectations. Work announced well in advance is much more acceptable than surprise disruptions.

The future will be about collaboration

By collaborating with South East Water recently, Interflow was able to compress a potential 12-month project on Melbourne’s Chapel Street to six months or less by agreeing to an extended working window – from 7.30 am to 10 pm instead of 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.

“That’s another example of progressive water management. The more collaborative an authority and the affected stakeholders are with us about achieving the objectives, the greater the economic benefit all can realise. There is also disruption to be avoided,” said Jordan-Legg.

“If you bring us into the conversation around how you want to deliver service or how you want to be innovative while removing risk, we can help. If there are working groups developing solutions to challenges, bring in contractors who are industry experts. We will help solve the challenge.”

To find out more about Interflow, visit interflow.com.au

If we were developing a 20 or 30-year renewal program, we could look for optimisation and efficiency “ ”

Why sludge management is essential

SLUDGE MANAGEMENT AND blanket control are crucial for any wastewater treatment process. Accurate monitoring of this can benefit process efficiency and cost savings.

sedimentation stages, sewage flows through large clarifiers or settlement tanks. The primary tank settles sludge by allowing grease and oils to rise to the surface where they are skimmed off. A rotating bridge moves around

Sludge level measurement

measures the distance between the sludge blanket and the water level at the top of the tank. Once the sludge has reached the required density in the primary settlement tank, the controller will switch on the pumps and pump the sludge into digestors. The sludge will then be prepared for the secondary treatment stage.

Many control factors ensure a wellperforming system in the secondary stage, but the sludge blanket level is important. Once the sludge has been utilised to its full potential in the primary and secondary stages, it becomes waste sludge. It undergoes further treatment, often via anaerobic digestion, thickening, dewatering, composting, and land application as a fertiliser.

Why measure the sludge blanket level?

Monitoring the sludge blanket level has many benefits. They include capital saving costs and reducing carbon footprints.

Effective sludge level measurement helps municipal and industrial treatment plants generate electricity. Many large sewage treatment plants work to burn the gas produced in digestors to drive turbines that generate electricity. Producing more gas means more electricity can be generated. One of the most important factors determining gas volume is the quality and density of the sludge delivered to the digestors.

Operators can ensure that sludge extraction pumps are used efficiently. Excess, or poorly settled sludge, should not wash out into wastewater effluent paths. This can prevent overspills and regulation breaches.

Other sludge handling processes, such as thickeners and dewatering equipment, perform better when fed with a higher concentration of sludge. The diluted and lower concentration sludge will require

Sludge management is a challenging task for those working in wastewater treatment plants. Sludge Finder 2 from Pulsar Measurement seeks to solve that problem.

increased dosing, digestor heating, and pumping costs.

On top of plant and operation savings, it also allows companies to save on labour costs of manual sampling. There is a wealth of feedback instantly available, allowing for overall greater system control for plant managers and wastewater engineers worldwide.

How to achieve an effective sludge blanket level measurement?

The Pulsar Measurement Sludge Finder 2 is a versatile, accurate, and reliable solution to measuring interface levels in primary or secondary settlement tasks. It uses echo processing algorithms to identify the sludge interface level. The Viper transducer operates ultrasonically through wastewater by measuring the distance between the sludge blanket surface.

Manual sludge blanket level measurement techniques usually need engineers and operators to be exposed to wastewater and sludge for a long time. These techniques were labour-intensive and timeconsuming. It also presented health and safety issues with personnel exposed to hazardous substances.

Automating this process with noncontact sludge level measurement eliminates these issues. It allows staff to see real-time sludge blanket echo graphs on screen without going near the materials. It pairs with Pulsar Measurement’s echo processing algorithms to identify the sludge interface level. The Viper transducer keeps the transducer face clean and debris-free with a built-in external wiper blade. That eliminates the need for downtime and maintenance of a submersible sensor.

This sludge blanket level system can help municipal or industrial treatment plants ensure their complete treatment process runs

health and safety compliance as well as environmental regulations.

The Sludge Finder 2 is used in thousands of applications worldwide and offers different options depending on the application requirements. It includes single or dual sensor inputs, installation accessories, communication outputs, and a PC Software Suite that offers Sludge Finder 2 software that can be used to record and save the parameters from sludge blanket level measurement applications.

A case study of the Sludge Finder 2 Beijing Ben-Hua (BBH), Pulsar Measurement distributors in

on the MidNorth Coast. Photo by Pulsar Measurement

readings from the Sludge Finder 2 were cross-checked and verified with a high-resolution underwater camera. There was a good correlation between the SF2 readings and manual level measurement via the underwater camera.

As a result of the trial, Taihe got the accurate and reliable readings they were looking for and was satisfied with the product. It decided to replace the existing measurement unit with the SF2. Commenting on the application, a representative from BBH said, “We are glad the customer is satisfied with the trial as it provides the accurate and reliable data that they are looking for.”

A Sludge Finder 2 and Viper transducer.

Photo by Pulsar Measurement

For more information visit

China, were approached by Taihe Sewage Treatment Plant (Taihe) in Shanghai for help with sludge level measurement in one of its sedimentation tanks. Taihe required accurate and reliable sensors to monitor sludge level as it is one of the plant’s control system parameters. Floc is always present in the tank and could not be monitored accurately with the existing sludge level sensor.

As Taihe could not get an accurate measurement of the sludge blanket, they contacted BBH for help. BBH

The Viper transducer’s built-in external wiper blade keeps the face clean and debris free, eliminating the need for downtime and maintenance of a submersible sensor. Photo by Pulsar Measurement

The dos and don’ts of horizontal directional drilling

On HDD projects, particularly for larger and more complex ones, there are some things you do want to see and some you don’t. HDD is not as simple as it appears. Maxibor outlines what to look for.

insufficient, the additional cost to achieve more certainty is a good investment for all stakeholders.

4. Visit the site. Site visits and interaction with the asset owner are vital to designing and delivering the best HDD solutions. Informed design and delivery solutions can be explored when people are face to face at the site.

5. HDD designer and installer relationship. Where there is a close relationship between the HDD designer and installer, they develop a productive and costeffective design, construction methodology and a realistic construction schedule. It will optimise delivery outcomes for all stakeholders. Integrated design and construction HDD providers like Maxibor will achieve the best client outcomes.

HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD) is the design and installation of underground pipelines to serve as conduits for water, sewer, electricity, gas, fuel and oil, telecommunications and hydrogen.

The technology makes it possible for drillers to direct their drilling equipment horizontally to create pathways through a wide variety of terrain ranging from alluvial sands, gravel and cobble to fractured or very hard rock.

The innovative design of bore pathways can solve many complex project challenges. Challenges including environmental, traffic, geological and underground utility congestion can be overcome.

There are various smarts in your approach to an HDD project. Outlined below are some dos and don’ts.

Dos – before drilling

1. Getting the design right is paramount. The borehole needs to be constructible. It would help

if you looked for HDD designers who are experienced in delivering projects. Technical design knowledge is important, but it is even better with understanding the equipment to be used and practical in-field involvement in delivering difficult HDD projects.

2. HDD designer with experience. Engaging those with experience on more challenging and innovative HDD projects facilitates the exploration of solutions beyond the conservative traditional shorter and smaller diameter bores. Designers with experience add significant value by examining alternative HDD solutions.

3. Geological investigation. It needs to be sufficiently representative of the designed borehole alignment. The geological conditions drive the Rate of Penetration (ROP) and equipment required, which drives the time, cost, and price for the HDD works. If there is doubt that the geological information is

6. HDD equipment. Engaging an HDD delivery provider with fitfor-purpose HDD equipment to deliver the project is essential. On larger and remote projects, having equipment in good working order and spares is critical to projects running to schedule. An HDD provider with an expansive fleet of equipment allows for more adaptability in overcoming uncertainties.

7. Other HDD resources. Engaging an HDD delivery provider with sufficient resources ensures that project management, drilling operations and HSEQ are all maintained and managed to good practice standards. Insurance coverage and financial capacity are among the other important factors to consider.

8. Cooperation and knowledge sharing. HDD design and delivery providers that cooperate and share add more value to your business. They increase the potential for optimised project

Maxibor is a leading horizontal directional drilling company in Australia.

Photo by Maxibor

outcomes. Look for their leadership within the industry on sharing technical knowledge, sustainability, strategic business development, workforce wellbeing and diversity.

9. Safety and protection of the environment. This needs to be a top priority of all HDD providers. Look to the demonstrated actions of the key influencers and facilitators, such as the CEO and HSEQ Manager, in driving the right culture in an organisation.

10. HDD risks. There are numerous risks associated with HDD, and it is important that key risks are properly identified for each project and actions are put in place to mitigate those risks. Look for HDD providers with comprehensive HDD risk management systems that traverse the full HDD risk universe and bring higher-level residual risks into the project management process.

Dos - during drilling

1. Keep an eye on the wear on cutters and tooling. Some operators forget to replace them in a timely manner. Like your dentist may tell you, good “teeth” are more productive. Watch those “teeth” and make sure they don’t get too much wear on them.

2. Know the ground conditions. Properly maintaining equipment can be difficult. Selecting the right tooling and fluids will help operators complete a job successfully and minimise equipment wear. The mud formula may also have to be adjusted from job to job. Variables can be extreme on some projects.

3. Avoid drill damage by training the operators properly. Ensure they know how to stay within limits and not to push the drill too fast. This

helps keep the drill rods in good condition.

4. Clean tooling regularly because they last longer. Protect the threads on your tools. They need to be protected from gouging. A threaded cap or some tape saves a lot of stress in the long run. If there is thread damage, it damages everything it connects to down the drill string.

5. Use drilling fluid. Drilling fluids will reduce the wear on the drill pipe and the tooling on the bottom of the drill string. Some in the industry believe they can do the project without drilling fluids because it’s a 30m bore instead of a 300m bore. That wears out the equipment.

Don’ts

1. Designers not talking to installers. A disconnect between these two vital players will lead to a pipeline installation that is not constructible.

2. HDD delivery providers are not allowed to talk to asset owners. An experienced HDD delivery provider can deliver a better project and add value if they have reasonable access to the asset owner to understand the project better, gain a greater appreciation and management of risk and identify opportunities.

3. Accept conservative design solutions. Some HDD designers only design project solutions with which they are familiar. They do not explore more innovative solutions because they lack experience. This risk-

averse approach limits the length of many HDD projects or stops HDD from being utilised.

4. Believe HDD bores can’t go over 1 kilometre or one metre in diameter. HDD bores can reach 5 km and 1.6 m in diameter with the right design and equipment plus expertise.

5. Engage an HDD provider with limited equipment, people and experience. Lower-cost solutions will provide less value in the long term. Bores will fail more often. If cost is a prime consideration, larger HDD providers should be supported to engage low-cost providers with oversight and access to the larger HDD provider’s expertise and resources.

6. Accept the lowest price. The lowest cost means that the provider has been “tricky” in their quote through exclusions, limits on rock strengths, and other variations, all in the hope of achieving a higher total price through variations.

7. Believe HDD is too expensive. HDD is an increasingly viable alternative to open trenching as a long-term solution that combats the accelerating impact of climate change on infrastructure. It is the only solution in some cases, especially where environment and cultural heritage are priorities.

For more help and assistance on the design and delivery of HDD projects, contact the Maxibor team at www.maxibor.com.au

A Maxibor Vermeer maxirig in action. Photo by Maxibor

Ditch Witch – all terrain HDD technology

HDD technology goes all terrain with the new Ditch Witch AT32 All Terrain Directional Drill.

CONTRACTORS, LOCAL COUNCILS, and water authorities around Australia often grapple with the challenge of trenchless tunnelling in any terrain. In urban settings, they not only need to deal with busy environments but the difficulty of managing noise. In rural settings, getting to the site can create a unique set of circumstances.

Two years ago, Construction Equipment Australia (CEA) became the Australian and New Zealand distributor of Ditch Witch underground construction equipment. As a result, CEA has launched the AT32 All Terrain horizontal directional drill (HDD).

The AT32 enhances utility contractors’ productivity while

The AT32 is designed with more power, stability and advanced electronics.

drilling through hard rock. The newly designed mid-size drill replaces the AT30. They provide better power and easier system operation for increased operator efficiency and profitability.

Features of the Ditch Witch CEA AT32

The AT32 is designed with more power, stability, and advanced electronics. It features a 155-horsepower Cummins Diesel engine. It combines seamlessly with over 14,500 kg of thrust and pullback and has increased rotational torque by 50 per cent over the previous AT30. These features combine to ensure that AT32 has the power for efficient installations in any soil condition.

“It fills a gap in the mid-size HDD market, bringing full-size power to the job site without the full-size footprint,” said Jeff Davis, Ditch Witch HDD global product marketing manager.

“The result is an accessible, compact, and versatile machine that boosts productivity on various rural and urban job sites.”

“The new look AT32 replaces the outgoing AT30 model, offering significantly more power and efficiency advancements in a similar footprint,” Scott O’Hare, Ditch Witch Australia product manager, said. “The AT32 shares a common platform with existing next-generation models in the Ditch Witch line-up with features such as a new climatecontrolled quiet cabin, increased power, thrust and torque, more onboard pipe, and a higher flow fluid pump.”

The unit also features a new rod loading system that allows operators to carry 137 metres of AT drill pipe on board. This is 30 per cent more than the AT30. Drillers can manually insert additional sticks of pipe when running low.

Photos by Ditch Witch CEA

A higher-powered fluid pump helps contractors get the most out of their machine by providing 40 per cent more fluid flow to help operators stay productive on longer bores with larger diameters. It also improves efficiency with less wear and tear on downhole tooling.

A heavy-duty anchor system holds the operational position for more precise control in all soil conditions. The latest version in the all-terrain evolution also features 4,200 lb (5,694 Nm) of rotational torque to release new performance levels.

“CEA will also offer local HDD guidance and utility locator servicing for their Subsite Electronics products. In addition, CEA will also offer operator training via their Virtual Reality Simulator, based on these new HDD models. These are all important factors in the aftersales support in the drilling market,” said O’Hare.

The AT32 follows the same modern design evolution as the latest Ditch Witch directional drills to enhance operator comfortability and ease of operator use. The consistent design also makes it easy for current customers to step into the machine and become familiar with its controls, features, and operator platform, which boosts uptime.

The two 7-inch LED screens support a focused approach to drilling. At the same time, the Subsite Marksman + HDD Tracker has been designed for interference mitigation and avoidance, beacon performance, and ease of use. Better tracking results lead to better bores, providing improved performance at deeper depths.

The Marksman HDD Guidance System performs well in highinterference environments with a large range of frequencies in a single beacon. The tracker weighs 3.2 kg and has a battery life of up to 16 hours. It

also comes with on-screen menus, graphics, and an integrated GPS.

“The AT32 is standard with an in-built screen for the Subsite Marksman +: the most advanced tracker in the Subsite Electronics line up. It also provides access to all the Subsite technology to minimise risks to owners and increase their efficiency and profitability,” says O’Hare.

“The new user interface is user friendly, offering the choice of different views, which will make it suitable for both new and existing Subsite customers.”

About Ditch Witch CEA Ditch Witch CEA has a comprehensive line-up of directional

Two 7-inch LED screens ensure that drillers can remain focused on the task at hand

drills, HDD tooling, vacuum excavators, trenchers, vibratory ploughs and more available on the market. With impetus on power, the Ditch Witch range is curated to withstand extreme use.

Construction Equipment Australia (CEA) supplies equipment to many industries, from construction to agriculture and waste management. All machines are developed for their grunt, versatility, and ergonomics, backed by more than 70 years of expertise.

The large cabin is designed for the comfort of the driller.

Ditch Witch CEA has launched the AT32, with units available for order. Contact your local Ditch Witch CEA branch on 1300 788 757 for more information.

Photo by Ditch Witch CEA

Photo by Ditch Witch CEA

How spacers can help with corrosion management

Corrosion accelerates degradation and reduces the life of pipeline infrastructure, costing the industry millions of dollars in rehabilitation, rebuilding and downtime. kwik-ZIP’s spacer and centraliser system mitigate against corrosion issues for pipeline infrastructure.

ALL PIPELINES ARE exposed to different physical, climatic, and chemical elements that can cause corrosion. It is often exacerbated in harsh coastal, tropical, or desert environments. Pipelines can also decay faster when exposed to high salt levels or extreme temperatures.

Research from NACE International indicates that the effects of corrosion can contribute between 3.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent at an average of 4.35 per cent of global gross domestic product. If these results

are extrapolated for Australia’s GDP, this equates to a high estimate of $78 billion per annum spent on remediating corrosion-related assets.

While New Zealand has a smaller economy, using the same estimated impact, the cost of corrosion is approximately $NZ16 billion.

Ignoring the effects of corrosion can be costly for asset owners.

Planning for corrosion control and mitigation has advantages, including extending an asset’s life and reducing maintenance time and costs.

The HDX 90 spacer installed on a Steelmain Sintakote pipe.

Photo by kwikZIP

Stopping corrosion

An appropriate spacer system is one simple tool asset owners can employ as part of their corrosion management system.

“Choosing an appropriate spacer system can help mitigate the effects of corrosion on new and rehabilitated pipelines. Spacers made from inert materials such as high-grade thermoplastic are the best choice for pipeline installations as they are resistant to the effects of corrosion,” said kwik-ZIP managing director Jason Linaker.

This is important in harsh environments where metal spacers do not hold up.

“For instance, some areas may have acid sulphate soils. A metallic spacer would be subject to severe corrosion if it encountered acid sulphate soils.

Even stainless steel is subject to accelerated corrosion from such conditions. While corrosion can transfer from the metallic spacer to the steel pipeline itself, inert nonmetallic pipe spacers are resistant to such conditions,” said Linaker.

Corrosion can also occur when a new pipe is inserted into an old pipe for rehabilitation. This happens if the new pipe is made from steel or if metallic spacers are used.

Even if the new pipe is not steel, corrosion can still breach the grout seal around the new pipe.

“Inert non-metallic spacers are resistant to the transfer of preexisting corrosion, ensuring they remain intact throughout the life of the pipe,” said Linaker.

A focus on minimising corrosion can reduce these costs, and spacers are one of the ready tools available to help.

kwik-ZIP spacers

kwik-ZIP spacers are the only Australian-owned spacer and centraliser system on the market.

Designed and developed by drilling professionals, the kwik-ZIP range is manufactured from kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend, characterised by its high resistance to corrosion, even when in contact with organic substrates for long periods.

Since its inception in 2000, the company has been designing centralisers and spacers systems for a range of applications across many different industries. With warehouse facilities in the UK, Sydney and Texas, the company has established stockists in Australia, the US, the UK, and New Zealand markets.

Although a small component of the entire pipeline infrastructure, kwik-ZIP spacers make a difference in the overall success of pipeline installations.

Used and recommended by pipeline and civil contractors worldwide, kwik-ZIP centraliser and spacer systems solve production casing centralisation challenges throughout the pipeline industry.

The systems are used extensively in production well completion, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), rock bolt and anchor centralisation and trenchless pipeline installation.

kwik-ZIP focuses on price effectiveness, simplicity, and rapid on-site assembly, to ensure that the systems deliver cost, time, and operational advantages to customers.

How kwik-ZIP stands apart from other companies kwik-ZIP produces the only casing spacers approved as compliant by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). kwik-ZIP spacers have been added to the Accepted Infrastructure Products and Materials (IPAM) list for the SouthEast Queensland Water Supply and Sewerage Design and Construction

Code (SEQ Code). kwik-ZIP Spacers have been added to the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) Approved Products list.

In mid-2016, kwik-ZIP’s HDX Series casing spacer was the first spacer system to be approved as compliant with WSA PS-324. The recent successful appraisal of the HDXT Series marks the second instance in which kwik-ZIP’s casing spacers have been recognised as complying with WSA PS-324 for casing spacers. kwik-ZIP’s spacers and centralisers

HDXT Spacers surround a PE pipe, being installed inside a steel pipe

Photo by kwik-ZIP HDXT Spacers installed on a PE pipe, installed inside a concrete duct.

Photo by kwik-ZIP

have a segmented design, meaning they fit a variety of pipe diameters by adding multiple segments. Available in various product series (including HDXT, HDX, HD, GT, 380, and 155), each series is also available with varying bow/runner heights, making them flexible and able to cater for a wide range of carriers and casing pipe size combinations.

For more information about kwikZIP’s spacer and centraliser systems, go to kwik-ZIP.com

Passive wastewater technologies save money and energy

It’s possible to harness passive wastewater technologies

has developed a patented line of complimentary onsite wastewater treatment technologies. They are manufactured at PEI’s Whitefield, New Hampshire, USA facility.

The AES achieves Advanced Secondary Effluent quality with:

• No power consumption (assuming gravity fall).

• No chemical dosing.

• No maintenance.

• No additional greenhouse gas emissions.

emissions and minimise their wastewater treatment costs, according to Chankar Environmental.

All power generation benefits are realised by applying passive

Fast fact

At 14, New Hampshire native David Presby began his career apprenticing under his father at Presby Construction. In the 1980s, Presby discovered a lack of reliable, cost-effective approaches to wastewater treatment. It motivated Presby to begin conceptualising what later became the Enviro-Septic Technology. This technology evolved into the Advanced Enviro-Septic Wastewater Treatment System. The Advanced EnviroSeptic solution provides an alternative to complex mechanical, electrical, and chemical treatment systems with high ongoing operational and servicing costs.

wastewater technologies, such as the

The same applies to wastewater treatment. The treatment unit is the most complex and energyhungry component in a wastewater treatment system. It can be replaced with passive treatment technology. The Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES) passive wastewater treatment system, developed by Presby Environmental and distributed by Chankar Environmental, applies a simple, innovative treatment process.

AES was developed by Presby Environmental (PEI), an innovative environmental organisation. It creates new technologies to change how the world approaches wastewater treatment. PEI was founded in 1995 by inventor and entrepreneur David Presby. It now works at the cutting edge of water pollution control to help protect and preserve water.

PEI has continued to combine innovation, simplicity, research, and development to bring the latest developments in wastewater treatment technology to bear. It

The AES is scalable to meet the demands of any wastewater treatment application from a oneperson shed to a town, service centre, shopping centre, national park, or mining camp of 500 or more people. There have been more than half a million installations worldwide, covering every continent. It includes 6000 installations in Australia and 1,500 in New Zealand. AES systems have been installed in every climate from the Sahara Desert to tropical north Queensland and the freezing temperatures of Canada. It is said to be able to eliminate 90 per cent of the power use and reduce maintenance and servicing by at least 90 per cent while maintaining adaptability to suit any site disposal or reuse application with the AES.

AES Australia’s passive wastewater technologies

Chankar Environmental is the exclusive distributor of the AES system across the Asia-Pacific. They have a dedicated and experienced engineering and design support team with more than 12 years of experience. It has a free CAD library to assist with an engineering team’s design of the AES system. Alternatively, it can provide design solutions. This team is there to provide support and help with optimising wastewater designs. It can calculate the increase in treatment

National Park installation. Photo by Chankar Environmental, AES

pipes required to cater for high commercial strength influent.

More than 1,800 Australian and 400 New Zealand engineers, designers and plumbers have completed the free AES online certification course. The simplicity and detailed design support provide another tangible benefit to a project. Clients can draw upon their existing workforce of plumbers or plumbing contractors by having them complete the free online certification course to carry out the installation in-house.

Clients can replace complexity with simplicity with the company’s assistance while meeting high wastewater treatment standards. According to Chankar Environmental, it is possible to save money while reducing the project’s environmental impact.

The case studies below give an insight into AES’s work with its suppliers and partners.

Carnarvon Gorge National Park, Queensland

Carnarvon Gorge is a recreation facility operated by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. Located in an isolated location with high environmental values and high seasonal visitor numbers, the existing system installed in 2020 could not cope with the load variation. Service and support costs to meet ERA licencing and public safety impacted the park’s budget. The AES was chosen due to its passive treatment and effluent quality. It also had a proven track record in more than 70 Queensland National Parks over the previous 11 years. Off-season shutdowns have no impact on the system due to its passive treatment with the system going dormant. It also allows the bacterial ecosystem within the AES pipes to adapt as the flows increase quickly.

Wild Horse Mountain (Moby Vics) Stage 1, 2018, Queensland

This is a high-volume service centre on the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The service centre includes outlets such as McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks, a Shell service station, Beefy Pies, and several other food outlets. It was originally serviced by three Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems that failed due to variations in loading and high biological oxygen demands (BODs). An AES was installed in 2018, providing operational cost savings and alleviating system failure. The South Bound Service Centre is planned to double in size. The North Bound Service Centre will be upgraded with wastewater treated

Boodjamulla Septic site design. Photo by Chankar Environmental, AES

its carbon footprint for this highintensity application would be closer to society’s expectations around greenhouse gas emissions. Their effluent is treated without the consumption of electricity.

Lawn Hill National Park (Boodjamulla) 2022

The completed Boodjamulla site, which can handle over 20,000 litres of

Lawn Hill National Park is like the Carnarvon Gouge application. However, it is in a more remote location and pristine natural environment. It also faces the additional consideration of wet northern monsoons experienced in the Gulf Country. Being a passive system requires no electrical reticulation or servicing. The extreme natural weather events have no

K-Magnaseal – the magnetic seal to keep liquids in check

About K-Magnaseal

IN AUSTRALIA’S INTENSE environmental conditions, holes, punctures, and abrasions can appear on most metallic infrastructure. Whether your industry involves minerals, corrosive materials, or water does not matter. There will be leaks due to general wear and tear. It can take a lot of time to repair and replace equipment, even with a proper and predictive maintenance schedule. Permanent solutions often require equipment or plant shutdowns, inhibiting full

Kinder Australia has a solution that provides a medium-term solution, filling the gap between a permanent repair without a plant shutdown. The product in question is their K-Magnaseal

The K-Magnaseal, in its Leak Patch and Drain Cover solution, can prevent many hazards that present risks to an operation if not

The K-Magnaseal Drain Cover is made to be flexible, ultra-thin, highly chemical resistant and available in four sizes. If a leak is not patched up, the biggest risks are to staff and the environment. Those risks can be avoided with

“Rapid and simple to apply, this sealing solution protects the responder by minimising direct contact and exposure with leaking hazardous materials,” said Sean Kinder, the company’s Business Development Manager. “It also protects against catastrophic environmental exposure and loss of

The K-Magnaseal Leak Patch can hold 25 PSI of pressure at temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius. There are five different sizes suitable for nearly any situation. No tools are required to fit the K-Magnaseal Leak Patch, allowing it to be magnetically ‘snapped’ on and off.

“Imagine you have a tank filled with acid that suffers from a leak. If you wanted to weld something over the hole, you would have to drain the tank before welding,” said Kinder.

“Safety is a key part of our business. That is why we developed the K-Magnaseal Leak Patch. You can use a rod or a pole to apply the patch, even a broom handle. The straps on each corner make it easy to hook up and attach. There is no need for staff to get close to the leak,” said Kinder. This safety-first approach keeps staff safe, as they can stay from hazardous materials or high-pressure liquids.

How the K-Magnaseal works Patented rare earth magnets and urethane material combine to make up the K-Magnaseal. It protects the magnet from direct heat, cracking, rusting, sparking or anything that may cause additional risks.

The K-Magnaseal solution implements a reusable wearrepairing magnetic patch that can provide a temporary fix for a wornout area on metallic equipment. It prevents common causes of wear in processing plants in all industries and is effective against solid bulk leaks. There is almost no limit to the shape that the K-Magnaseal can adapt to, including steel pipes, elbows, silos, chutes, and bins.

With its high chemical resistance, flexibility and magnetic strength, the seal remains locked, allowing a site to continue operations as usual.

A magnetic seal is a fast, easy, and environmentally conscious way to stop leaks in their tracks. Kinder Australia provides an insight into its unique technology.

The K-Magnaseal will provide a perfect solution for a leak in almost any metallic surface. Photo by K-Magnaseal

Installation is a key advantage of the K-Magnaseal. There is no need to wait – staff need to apply the magnetic patch.

The K-Magnaseal is not recommended as a permanent solution. There is no need to use straps, bolts or welding to secure it. It attaches in seconds. However, it allows for the continuation of regular operations until a permanent solution can be used.

Many industries have welcomed the development of the K-Magnaseal.

“Word of mouth and video demonstrations have helped land

some of our biggest customers.

“We had many customers use them in response to on-site emergencies. Honestly, having this many happy customers recommend us to their colleagues is great for us,” said Kinder.

The K-Magnaseal range is designed to prevent hazardous and production-impacting leakages. It provides a safe and more immediate solution to keep operations running.

For more information visit https://kinder.com.au/

AT32 ALL TERRAIN

DIRECTIONAL DRILL

BIG ON PERFORMANCE. SMALL ON FOOTPRINT.

With a focus on ergonomics the operators station has been built specifically for HDD operators. Offering industry- leading visibility with the best view to all critical vision points including ground entrance, wrenches, shuttle-retract location and rear connection. The AT32 also features a climate-controlled cab with tinted glass for the ultimate in operator comfort.

Like to know more?

Contact your nearest branch 1300 788 757

Bursting at the seams with power, the AT32 is the next generation of all-terrain drilling, packing performance and strength into a sleek package.

Featuring a 155hp Cummins diesel engine the AT32 provides plenty of thrust and pullback when the task demands, and with 5694Nm of rotational torque there really is no question, drill beats rock every time.

The K-Magnaseal system also includes a drain cover, which prevents chemicals from flowing into the stormwater. Photo by K-Magnaseal

On July 1, VicWater announced the appointment of David Middleton as Chair and Therese Tierney as Deputy Chair of the organisation.

MIDDLETON, ALSO THE Chair of Greater Western Water (GWW), graduated from the University of Ballarat (now Federation University) in 1991 at a challenging time for the Australian economy. His degree in Civil Engineering had him looking for jobs in local government, but there were few engineering jobs at the time.

Despite getting interviews, Middleton

was struggling to land a position.

“Out of the blue, I got a phone call from my Public Health Engineering lecturer, telling me that Ballarat Water Board was looking for someone to fill a three-month contract, so I gave them a call,” said Middleton.

With what is now Central Highlands Water, that contract turned into

nearly two years, a permanent position and the start of a career in the water industry.

Middleton noted that this is a field in which he is always learning and adjusting. “An enormous amount has changed between what we were doing in the early ‘90s and what we are doing now. This is particularly the case regarding our mindsets around customers and project delivery. While I have grown into it from the engineering and delivery sides, being a director for the last 11 or 12 years has added a unique dimension,” said Middleton.

David Middleton, Chair of VicWater. Photo by VicWater VicWater Member and customer-centric approach key to VicWater’s success

VicWater and Water Corporations

As the peak industry association for water corporations in Victoria, VicWater’s purpose is to assist its members in achieving extraordinary performance. They also help to influence the future of the Victorian water industry. VicWater’s slogan is “better together” as they advocate on behalf of its members to the Australian Government, Victorian Government, and the community. “This is one of the unique things about the state of Victoria. Every one of our metropolitan and regional water utilities is a member,” Middleton said. “We exist solely to

serve our members, and we work in a way that assists our members and develops the industry.”

Another aspect of VicWater that is central to its ethos is the sharing of knowledge. Middleton pointed out that VicWater’s programs are built around the importance of sharing knowledge between the different water authorities across the state. This helps industry and VicWater take on a stronger advocacy role, which is critical as VicWater, under Chief Executive Officer Jo Lim, moves into a new strategic planning phase. As chair, Middleton sees his position as that of a steward. He

believes VicWater should continue understanding and refining its priorities and addressing the challenges ahead.

“We are having a range of conversations, internally and with our members, about how we can best support them. We run several forums, including a Chair’s Forum and a Managing Director’s Forum, which provide an opportunity to look at broad, industry-wide topics and where we can work together to solve them or at least move forward,” said Middleton.

Middleton nominated climate change and cybersecurity as major

SLUDGE FINDER 2

The way water interacts with Country, and the links with Traditional Owner values became, and remain, a big part of our strategic plans “ ”

issues for the water industry – not just for Victoria but for Australia and the world. When touching on cybersecurity, he pointed out that the security of our data, systems and resources is prominent in the minds of all VicWater’s members, considering their roles as managers of critical infrastructure. Members are doing a lot of work in this area from a systems and people perspective.

Future of Victorian water

As the Chair of GWW, Middleton has a role in system-wide planning.

“We have a lot more to do with the Greater Melbourne Urban Water and System Strategy (GMUWSS), as it is a big picture strategy for how the industry will supply eight million people with water in the most appropriate way. The strategy is now out for consultation. It’s

a range of futures for Melbourne and proposes different adaptive pathways, depending on what happens with population growth and climate change, among other issues,” said Middleton.

Middleton also pointed out that these adaptive pathways are cognisant of the need to increase the amount of water in the system sooner rather than later. He believes that VicWater can help the industry collaborate, particularly given the different challenges facing water corporations across the state. That might include reusing stormwater, integrated water supply planning, and building an additional desalination plant – there are many aspects that big water is involved in. VicWater has a key role to play.

Role of Traditional Owners

Middleton raised the issue of

Graham Brock Reservoir, Woodend on a quiet morning, within the Great Western Water catchment area.

Water for Victoria and Water is Life laid clear foundations around water for Traditional Owners and Traditional Owner engagement.

“At City West Water, now Greater Western Water, we take that seriously,” said Middleton.

“Connection to Country, the way water interacts with Country, and the links with Traditional Owner values became, and remain, a big part of our strategic plans. At Greater Western Water, we employ a Traditional Owner advisor whom we consult with broadly to ensure that we understand the Traditional Owner perspective.”

Middleton also highlighted the appointment of Matthew Burns to the GWW board in June 2021. Burns is a Taungurung Traditional Owner and current Chief Executive Officer of Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC). In his role, he has

Customer communication

An issue facing many consumers across Australia is cost-of-living pressure.

Consumers also expect their water bills to remain stable, while water corporations face increased cost pressure to manage their infrastructure and provide the same quality of services.

Middleton knows this is a continuous juggling act. The role of the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in regulating utility prices across the state differs from other states. GWW is preparing its first Price Submission for the ESC one year after other water utilities due to the integration to become GWW.

“A big part of our Price Submission

process is consulting with our customers to understand what they are willing to pay for from a level of service perspective,” said Middleton. Listening to customers informs a set of prices that balances levels of services, expanding services and cost-of-living pressures.

Middleton believes that water corporations must talk to their customers and communities daily to understand their needs and incorporate that knowledge into how they deliver their work.

“As part of VicWater’s new strategic plan, Jo Lim will ensure that we actively engage with our members to understand what they need from us and ensure we are delivering to those needs. It’s the core tenet of VicWater: if we do not have members, we do not have an organisation. We need to be deliberate, focused, and

innovative in serving their needs,” said Middleton.

Middleton understands that VicWater’s members have different needs, given that they have rural, suburban, and urban constituents. While there would be some commonalities, each member deals with specific environments, customer bases, and challenges around water scarcity and climate change.

Conclusion

Middleton has been in the water industry for more than 30 years, primarily in Australia and New Zealand. His experience in the field puts him in a unique position to understand the importance of customer communication and engagement. By becoming the Chair of VicWater, he reflects their slogan, “Better Together.”

insight into the process of heading towards a treaty for Victoria.

David Middleton, Chair of VicWater, interacting with his colleagues Photo by VicWater

Collaboration helps drive industry forward

The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is the peak industry body for the Australian urban water industry. It represents over 100 public and privately owned water or water-related organisations. Executive Director Adam Lovell explains the multi-faceted role of WSAA.

• fostering the transition to a low carbon future and circular economy; and

• performance improvement initiatives.

We are delivering on these priorities through activities that focus on:

• influencing national and state policies on the provision of urban water services and sustainable water resource management;

• promoting debate on environmentally sustainable development, management of water resources, and community health requirements of public water supplies;

• improving industry performance, establishing benchmarks and industry-leading practices for water service processes; and

networking and cooperation within the urban water industry based on our vision of a ‘customer-driven, enriching life. We are proud of our members’ collegiate attitude, which has led to industry-wide approaches to national water issues.

including industry outcomes,

• understanding drivers of customer trust and value;

• driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, including a focus on the uplift of regional,

The WSAA works with its industry members on a issues, including

• fostering the exchange of information on education, training, research, water and wastewater management, treatment, and other matters of common interest.

More than the provision of 24/7 essential services

The urban water industry has a pivotal role in enhancing mental and physical health with green, liveable spaces and leading a circular economy that is less linear and more regenerative. The circular economy is gaining momentum, and the water industry is well positioned as a leading player. Following our paper, Transitioning the Water Industry with the Circular Economy is a companion volume:

Circular Economy Action Plan. It includes a series of actions WSAA will lead to help the water industry accelerate towards designing out waste, keeping resources in use, and regenerating natural capital. Our operations give us huge scope to contribute to decarbonisation and sustainability goals while providing opportunities for others.

The water industry is also uniquely

positioned to mitigate our impact on our climate. It can respond and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate on delivering our services. The industry is also prepared to improve the resilience of our communities and the environment in adapting to a changing climate. Our Urban Water Industry Climate Change Position seeks to outline the contributions of the urban water industry. They are ready to meet the challenges of climate change through collaboration and partnership with our customers, communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Māori people, and government stakeholders.

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, WSAA supports the Sustainable Development Goals as a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity. As providers of essential services, our members understand that water is critical to sustaining life. We can create so much value collaboratively and through individual and organisational action.

National advocacy supporting industry outcomes

With the change in Federal Government, we have commenced engagement with the new Minister for Environment and Water, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and the newly formed Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). It is encouraging that the Government was elected with a promise to renew the National Water Initiative and re-establish the National Water Commission. Like health, education and transport, there are an increasing number of issues in the urban water industry that should be dealt with collaboratively at the national level.

We continue to advocate for a new and modernised National Water Initiative (NWI) that includes:

• a national water security framework for defining and measuring water security. Providing safe and secure water supplies should be a priority for all governments. However, there is no framework to balance the future water supply for all end uses with future demand;

• all options on the table, including purified recycled water for drinking as part of a diversified water supply portfolio to meet the water security needs of Australia. A bipartisan approach is needed to ensure the inclusion of purified recycled water for drinking as a legitimate part of water supply planning. Through our biennial customer perceptions study, we know that water recycling is strongly supported. Dams are part of the future for Australia’s water security. However, they are too often politicised and put forward as a solution without due regard to transparent financial, social, health and environmental expert advice;

• the uplift of regional, remote, and Indigenous water services.

Partnerships across industry will improve regional performance, focusing on capacity and capability. We also seek to foster connections with Traditional Owners, including recognition of cultural values of water. Water quality issues continue for

The WSAA has already started engaging with the new Minister for the Environment and Water, The Hon Tanya Plibersek.

Photo by WSAA

Aboriginal communities across many parts of Australia. Yet, there is a plethora of government agencies and different (or no) regulations to deliver safe drinking water to First Nations peoples;

• commitment to liveability and health outcomes through access to blue-green grids, green space and re-naturalisation of creeks and waterways; and

• effectively incorporate all water into the urban environment to create an amenity for people in growth areas and regional communities. Integrating stormwater into the urban water cycle is fundamental to liveability outcomes, and a single waterway manager can overcome the limitations of accountability, planning, operations, and collaboration.

Regardless of politics, the common anchor for the industry is the paying customer. In 2021, we surveyed around 9,000 customers across Australia and New Zealand. Our survey highlighted the generally excellent reputation of the industry with significant improvements across the board in trust and value for money. The industry continues to build on this reputation to embrace a new approach to the circular economy. It seeks to accelerate the response to climate change through adaption and mitigation while maintaining affordability and supporting customers in difficulty.

Water planning needs an Indigenous voice

Lagoon is used for the third stage of their joint male initiation ceremonies at this site, and motorised water sport is now prohibited.

“We’ve always been strong with water; many of our communities are right next to the water. Many of our cultural places, including ceremonial grounds, men’s and women’s business, burials, the old missions and reserves, and many frontier massacre sites, are all next to the water,” said Moggridge.

“I think that’s been my drive in going down the science path. I wanted to have an impact on water.

Indigenous people have lived on Australian lands for at least 65,000 years. Their knowledge of water and the environment will be critical going forward.

Inside Water spoke to Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge to find out why.

BRADLEY MOGGRIDGE IS a proud Murri from the Kamilaroi Nation.

The Kamilaroi Nation is found in northwest New South Wales and crosses the border into southwest Queensland. As an inland nation, it has thrived on freshwater through the many rivers and wetlands in its lands. It also sits above the Great Artesian Basin.

Moggridge has a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and a Master of Science (Hydrogeology). He is currently finishing his PhD at the University of Canberra. He is also an Associate Professor in Indigenous Water Science. Up until June 2021, he was the Indigenous Liaison Officer for the Threatened Species Recovery Hub under NESP.

His credentials do not end there.

Moggridge was part of the winning team at the 2022 National Science Quiz, awarded the 2019 ACT Tall

Poppy of the Year for Science, the 2019 ACT NAIDOC Scholar of the Year, the inaugural Academy of Science Aboriginal Travel Award for 2019, and the CSIRO Aboriginal STEM Career Achievement Award in 2019. He is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, a WWF Governor, VP Australian Freshwater Science Society, a Fellow of the Peter Cullen Trust and Alumni of the International Water Centre.

Moggridge’s connection to water comes from his people and his nation. One of the most culturally significant places for the Kamilaroi people is the Boobera Lagoon. It is a permanent water hole that lies south of the Macintyre River and about 20 kilometres west of Goondiwindi on the Boomi Road. Boobera Lagoon is of particular significance as it is the resting place of Garriya, the serpent with a crocodile head. Boobera

I am now broadly a researcher in Indigenous water science as an associate professor, so I live it every day.”

Indigenous people missed out Indigenous people were first mentioned in national policy in 2004 as part of the National Water Initiative. That document has three clauses (cl52-54) in which the parties would provide Indigenous access to water resources by relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation. It would be part of planning processes that ensured the inclusion of Indigenous representation in water planning wherever possible.

The water plans would incorporate Indigenous social, spiritual and customary objectives and strategies for achieving these objectives wherever they can be developed. The water planning processes would consider the possible existence of native title rights to water in the catchment or aquifer area. Native title holders would be allocated a say on water under the NSW Water Management Act (2000) for traditional cultural purposes only.

However, Moggridge has found that the actual effort has not yet occurred. The principles are in place,

Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge. Photo supplied

but enforcement, implementation or policy has not yet been followed.

“New South Wales is creating an Aboriginal water strategy now (2022), but the Act mentioned above has been in place for 22 years. It’s only just happening now. The picture around the country is not much better. Victoria is probably the best at the moment,” said Moggridge.

How to learn from Indigenous water planners

Clean, healthy water is something that everyone needs and wants as a basic human right. Indigenous people have focused on that for much longer, and Moggridge believes that the work of Indigenous water planners could support the change if they were listened to.

At the current point, there are not enough Indigenous water planners. To the best of Moggridge’s knowledge, there are two in New South Wales, several in Victoria, and perhaps two in Western Australia. He knows one in the ACT but none in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland. The lack of critical mass makes it harder to advance beyond an advisory role in the rights and engagement process.

The biggest challenge in listening to Indigenous water planners is getting more Indigenous people involved in water science.

“Right now, we do not have many Indigenous people studying these courses at university. If we can encourage Aboriginal people to go to university and study these courses, that is an excellent start,” said Moggridge.

Moggridge also spoke about the need for science to acknowledge Indigenous people’s observations and incorporate them into their knowledge base and data collection. He argued that thousands of generations of observations could

be built into a knowledge base, not treated as fables, myths and legends.

“It’s a real challenge to build that capacity and change the culture of science to make Aboriginal knowledge equal. We need to get more recognition, but we also need the opportunity to have a voice rather than being advisors. I believe that in the next five years, we will see an Aboriginal water holder. It could be a basin-specific role for holding water entitlements for Aboriginal people to allow them to engage in the water market,” said Moggridge.

Engagement is key

The most important thing that Moggridge highlighted was engagement, then move onto marriage. It is important to have a respectful relationship built on trust.

“You must spend time in these communities developing trust with them,” he said. “It’s not about sending one e-mail, not getting a response and claiming that as your consultation. It is about getting out there and talking to the people. My tip is the five Ts: Time to build Trust over Tea and Tim Tams.”

His anecdotal research on this admittedly unusual facet of engagement has shown that different groups want different things. That is the prime point of engagement. While Moggridge prefers green tea and will say yes to any Tim Tams

put in front of him, each Indigenous group requires different approaches.

“It’s a way for you to build a platform with them. Currently, there is not enough employment and engagement of Aboriginal people in the water sector,” he said. “If that can change, there is potential for Indigenous water planning to move forward to benefit everyone.”

He also talked about understanding the culture of individual Indigenous tribes. One issue Moggridge has faced is the difference between men’s business and women’s business and how that relates to water. “It is a challenge. It’s not something that an Aboriginal person wouldn’t potentially understand. You might want to research a particular waterhole. If it’s a women’s site, they have the right to talk about that waterhole. If you are a man going to that site, there is no negotiation around that. It is up to you to find a workaround for it, whether it is identifying a female officer in your organisation or getting a female relative to help you out,” said Moggridge. Understanding the culture and those challenges is part of Moggridge’s research. However, he accepts that it does not matter what he plans, and things can happen. He cited the possibility of Sorry business (a funeral), and all bets are off with your plans. Flexibility is key.

Professor Bradley Moggridge (left) at the launch of 2022 National Science Week

Photo supplied

The lighter side of water

To finish each issue, we aim to look at the lighter side of water and water-related issues. If you’ve seen an amusing story, let us know so we can consider it for the next issue.

A new way to boil water more efficiently?

We boil a lot of water, whether a cup of tea brewed in the kitchen or at the power plant. Any improvements in this process’s efficiency will significantly impact the total amount of energy used for it each day.

One such improvement could come with a newly developed treatment of surfaces used for water heating and evaporation. Processing improves two key parameters that define the boiling process: the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and the critical heat flow (CHF). There is usually a trade-off between the two.

“Both parameters are important, but optimising them together is difficult,” bioinformatics scientist Yongsap Song says from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. “If we have a lot of bubbles on the boiling surface, then the boiling is very efficient. If too many bubbles are on the surface, they can fuse, forming a vapour layer above the boiling surface.”

Any vapour film between the hot surface and the water presents resistance, reducing HTC and CHF

value. To get around this problem, researchers devised three types of surface modification. First, they added microtubules to control the formation of bubbles and control the movement of the bubbles. They then added protrusions and edges within the surface of the tubes, increasing the surface area and evaporation rates. Finally, micro-cavities were placed on the material’s surface. That increased the fluid withdrawal process by adding more surface area. These three factors dramatically increased boiling efficiency.

“Demonstrating our ability to manipulate the surface in this way to get optimisation is the first step,” says mechanical engineer Evelyn Wang from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Then the next step is to think of more scalable approaches. These types of structures that we make are not intended to scale into their current form.”

Moving work from a small-scale lab to something used in commercial industries won’t be easy, but the researchers are confident it can be done.

“Cats adapt their shape to their container if we give them enough time.”

Are cats liquid?

In 2017, French physicist Marc Antoine Fardin won an Ig (what is an Ig Nobel Prize?) Nobel Prize for his research paper on the rheology of cats. Rheology is the study of the deformations and flows of matter, and Fardin decided to use cats to illustrate the problems at the heart of the field.

Many of us have seen internet memes where a cat adapts to the shape of a container it is sitting in. That is the traditional definition of a liquid, so he wrote a paper about it in 2014 that was published in the Rheology Bulletin

“At the centre of the definition of a liquid is an action – a material must be able to modify its form to fit within a container,” Fardin said.

“If we take cats as our example, the fact is that they can adapt their shape to their container if we give them enough time. Cats are thus liquid if we give them the time to become liquid.”

In his official research paper, Fardin discusses many factors, including relaxation time, experimental time, the type of container, and the cat’s degree of stress.