Environmental Technology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth 6150 WA, Australia.

Environmental

Technology

Centre [ETC]

TOOLS TO PROGRESS SMALL WATER AND

WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Professor Goen Ho, Dr Martin Anda, Beth Strang, John Hunt and Shaun Jamieson

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Overview

Contribution to sustainable settlements

Barriers to implementation

Tools to assist

1. Management Tool - DeWaTARS Framework

2. Technology Database and Decision Support Tool

3. Land Developments Rating Tool

Capacity building

Conclude

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Small contribution to sustainable settlements

Small and decentralised systems can

• Help close the water and nutrient cycle

• Assist with integration of water streams

• Assist with integration of other sectors of human development (energy, food, production, housing, transport)

• Can run on renewable energy which is generally small/local scale

• Can have a market through developers

Déry and Anderson 2007

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Barriers• Tradition and history

• Success of the institution

• Long life of existing infrastructure

• Mandatory connection to recoup costs

• Inertia and legislation

• Perceived risks

• Poor experience with small systems

• Pollutants and Public health concerns

Tanks• Awareness raising

• Technology

• Capacity Building

• Us

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

?

Technology Database and Electronic Decision Support Tool for DeWaTARS

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

DeWaTARS = Decentralised Wastewater Treatment and Recycling Systems

EDST = Electronic decision support tool

Purpose of the tool:To provide assistance with selection of the most appropriate

decentralised recycling system for residential developments.

Choosing the right system

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

The EDST incorporates:

Conventional: E.g. Aerobic treatment units (ATUs)

Constructed wetlands

Greywater systems

Alternative:E.g. Composting systems

Anaerobic biogas production

Urine separation

Lot, cluster and development scale are considered

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

How does the EDST work?

1. The user answers a series of flow-sheet questions to determine the appropriate technology types

2. A product database provides a list of available products

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

How does the EDST work?

Within the groups there are 54 categories and subcategories

1.0 Aerobic Treatment Units 1.1 Suspended growth 1.1a Activated sludge (continuous aeration)

1.1b Activated sludge (intermittent aeration)

1.1c Membrane bioreactor

1.2 Attached growth (forced aeration) 1.2a Submerged (continuous aeration)

1.2b Submerged (intermittent aeration)

1.2c Fluidised bed

1.2d Moving bed bioreactor

1.3 Attached growth (passive aeration) 1.3a Percolating (Primary – septic)

1.3b Percolating (Primary – humus)

1.3c Rotating biological contactor

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

EDST Application

Benefits:

• Provides a science based technology choice

• Saves the user time and confusion

• May provide economic benefits

• All avenues of possible wastewater treatment are considered (i.e. from constructed wetlands to urine separation)

Limitations:

• The tool is currently a prototype

• Scope for improved precision and other enhancements

• Properties of technologies based on either company information or standardised information

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Management Tool for DeWaTARS

Research Aims

• Understand the barriers and challenges facing decentralised wastewater systems in WA

• Develop a sustainable management framework for decentralised wastewater systems in WA

• Validate the effectiveness of the DeWaTARS concept as a viable management tool

• Validate the ability of Village scale DeWaTARS projects to meet environmental and public health requirements

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

The Methodology

Surveys of:

• Residents

• Developers and Manufacturers

• Legislators and Regulators

To better understand:

• Knowledge gaps and requirements

• Different management arrangements

• Barriers that exist for each group

• The effectiveness of the DeWaTARS framework

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

The Methodology

Case StudiesInterstate and overseas case studies will help provide best practice criteria for the DeWaTARS management framework

• Bridgewater Lifestyle Village (onsite greywater), and

• Timbers Edge Residential Village (central greywater)

• Banksia Recreation Village (blackwater) tbc

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

The Methodology

Legislative Review• Review and assess the various Acts and Regulations pertaining

to water in WA by the newly formed Department of Water

DeWaTARS development and testing• Complete the management framework document

• Test the effects of different land tenures

• Trial the community/resident education protocols outlined within this management framework

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

DeWaTARS Framework

Management of these systems will require:• Management contract with a licensed wastewater service provider, who

ensures operation, regular maintenance and monitoring occurs.

• Has a comprehensive HACCP based risk management plan

• Approval from relevant regulatory authorities

• Ensure that all staff dealing with the systems are suitably trained

• Ensure that the residents are suitably educated on the technologies in place

• Ensure that there is a contingency plan in place to ensure new residents are educated on the technologies in place

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Rating scheme of water use performance of land developments

Water Efficient Appliances, Fixtures

and Fittings (well under way)

Water Efficient Homes

(emerging)

Water Efficient Neighbourhoods

(just beginning)

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Water Efficiency of Land Developments

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

The Water Balance

Sources Use Disposal

Reticulated Sewer

Storm Water Flow

Evaporation

Evapotranspiration

Infiltration

LANDDEVELOPMENT

Scheme Water

Ground Water

Rainwater

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Land developers

• Promote themselves as ‘Green’ credibly

• Run water balance scenarios

• Improve the score

• Accurately determine reuse possibilities

Home Owners

• Factor in the purchase of a new home – green conscience

• Provide a market force for change

Regulators

• Set clear guidelines for developers

• A method of monitoring flow regimes of the metropolitan area

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Capacity Building

Bachelor Degrees

• Environmental Science

• Environmental Technology

• Environmental Engineering

Units

• Sustainable Water Systems

• Water Conservation and Water Auditing

• Environmental Technology for Sustainable Development

Training Packages

• Water Demand Management

• Rainwater Harvesting

• Sustainable Sanitation

• Wastewater Reuse

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia

Thank youQuestions?

Environmental

Technology

Centre [ETC]

Ho, G., Anda, M., Strang, B., Hunt, J. and Jamieson, S. (2008) Tools to progress small water and wastewater systems. In: Onsite and Decentralised Sewerage & Recycling Conference, 12 - 15 October, Benalla, Vic, Australia