Week in water: updates from across the water community
by Water Source
This week in water, researchers unveil key findings on Scope 1 emissions from wastewater treatment, and Sydney Water invites the community to learn about purified recycled water. In Tasmania, transformative funding will secure water infrastructure, while authorities crack down on unauthorised water usage in Victoria.
Internationally, groundbreaking datasets open new atmospheric research avenues and the enduring impact of PFAS on the brain is further explored.
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National
New research targets direct emissions in wastewater treatment
As net-zero targets loom, water utilities face increasing pressure to address direct (Scope 1) emissions like methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from sewage treatment plants.
A new study from Water Research Australia has provided a comprehensive review of Scope 1 emissions, highlighting pathways, reporting guidelines and mitigation strategies.
By identifying key gaps and future research needs, the report informs water utilities on the next steps to address Scope 1 emissions and progress toward net-zero emissions in wastewater treatment.
States and territories
Sydney Water champions purified recycled water
To deliver on the vision for a sustainable and resilient water supply, Sydney Water is investigating the introduction of purified recycled water (PRW) as an option for safe, rainfall-independent water. Together with desalination, PRW could support our dams in providing the world-class water we enjoy every day.
The utility will be hosting free family-friendly tours at the PRW Discovery Centre in Quakers Hill on 1 February for the community to learn about the proposed introduction for PRW.
The tours are free and open to all ages, providing an opportunity to explore water management over time, see how purified recycled water treatment technology works and discover the importance of securing our water future.
The tour runs for 1 hour from 10:00am and again at 11:30am, all safety equipment is provided, but spaces are limited with bookings essential.
Email PRWDiscoveryCentre@sydneywater.com.au to register your interest. Please remember to include the number of visitors in your group, your mobile number and the tour time you would like to attend.
Sydney Zoo cuts water waste
Sydney Zoo has partnered with Sydney Water in an innovative initiative to save water and showcase sustainable practices.
The collaboration has already saved over 30,000 kilolitres of drinking water since 2022 by introducing a recycled water system in the bull shark exhibit.
Sydney Water Conservation Program Manager Suhanti Thirunavukarasu said: “The bull shark tanks are now running the water through advanced filtration, similar to how we process wastewater in our treatment plants".
“Technology such as UV filtration targets and eliminates particles from wastewater during the cleaning process, creating a water product suitable for the delicate ecosystem home to the sharks at Sydney Zoo.”
Sydney Zoo Managing Director Jake Burgess said: “We’re proud to partner with Sydney Water, highlighting our dedication to sustainability and exceptional animal care".
"Not only are we reducing our environmental impact, but we’re also inspiring the community to think differently about water conservation and the role we all play in protecting our planet.”
Major funding boost for Tasmanian water projects
Ellendale’s water security will be strengthened thanks to $20 million in Federal funding through the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Efficient Regions (WISER) Initiative.
TasWater will match this funding, delivering a $54.9 million suite of projects across Tasmania.
TasWater CEO George Theo welcomed the funding: “We are pleased to see that our submissions to the WISER Initiative have been rewarded with $20 million worth of funding for the package of works”.
“TasWater will match this funding with a total of $54.9 million that will see residents across the state benefit from improved environmental outcomes, increased water security and better access to recycled water for agricultural applications,” he said.
Victoria cracks down on unauthorised water pumping
Goulburn-Murray Water has warned against the illegal extraction of water from storages and waterways following recent incidents.
General Manager Warren Blyth stated: “When people illegally take water from our storages and waterways, they are taking our customers’ water”.
“Water is a valuable and limited resource. To ensure fairness in how it is used, we take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of unauthorised take,” he said.
International
Advancing atmospheric research with JAWARA
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created the JAWARA dataset, a 20-year atmospheric reanalysis spanning ground level to the edge of space.
Developed using the JAGUAR-DAS system, this dataset enables unprecedented studies of atmospheric interactions, improving climate models and seasonal weather forecasts.
University of Tokyo Professor Kaoru Sato said: "If we can better understand these layers, it would improve our ability to respond to climate change, extend the lead time of seasonal forecasts and advance our understanding of space weather phenomena".
Uncovering neurotoxic mechanisms of PFAS
New research from the University at Buffalo explores how PFAS, notorious as "forever chemicals," penetrate the blood-brain barrier and impact neuronal health.
Lead co-author Dr G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen said: “Our findings indicate these genes may be markers to detect and monitor PFAS-induced neurotoxicity in the future".
"Depending on their chain length or headgroup, PFAS can have very different effects on cells. We should not be viewing them as one large class of compounds, but really as compounds that we need to investigate individually,” they said.
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