Environmental Solutions
Research and Development
Collaborative Research
Coperative Research Centers (CRCs) are joint ventures between the Commonwealth Government, industry and research institutions. The aim of CRC's is to provide an industry focus for the researchers and to improve the uptake of research outcomes by industry. Ecowise Environmental is a partner in the Environmental Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (EBCRC). ACTEW Corporation, Ecowise's parent company is a member of the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment soon to become Water Quality Research Australia and the eWater CRC.
ACTEW Corporation also have strong links to internationally reknown water research foundations and are subscribers to the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the WateReuse Association.
Some of our collaborative research includes:
CRC for Environmental Biotechnology (EBCRC)
The vision of the EBCRC is to establish environmental biotechnology as a mainstream sector in the biotechnology industry using natural bioprocesses to benefit industry and the environment. Many industry processes are based around biological systems. The EBCRC uses advanced biotechnology to make natural systems work harder. These will be able to be applied to all areas of industrial processes from cleaner production through to processing wastes and contamination. The EBCRC will help industry work smarter when processing wastes and contamination. Improvements in environmental management can be leveraged from advances in biotechnology that have benefited medical science and the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of the EBCRC is to improve the management of waste materials and by-products, providing biotechnology-based solutions to industry issues, and to recycle waste into useful products. Research projects are selected to meet the criteria of needs-based research, and having significant potential investment return. Outputs will include valuable chemicals from waste, improvements in the efficiency of waste treatment, control of biofilms in water supply, wastewater and industrial processes and transforming low value by-products into high valued products.
Visit website - http://www.ebcrc.com.au/
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CRC for Water Quality and Treatment
The CRC for Water Quality and Treatment is Australia's national drinking water research centre. The CRC links public health researchers with water quality expertise to provide advice and support to the Australian water industry. It was established in 1995 and is funded until 2008. The Centre consists of 30 parties and 16 associates including nine universities, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Research users (including Water Authorities and Heath Regulators) and government agencies.
Health issues are a major focus of the CRC with programs on epidemiology and toxicology. The research programs cover the complete water supply chain from catchment to tap including water sheds, reservoirs, water treatment, distribution management, monitoring and sustainable water resources. In addition there are programs relating to stakeholder involvement including community attitudes, regional and rural issues and policy and regulation.
An important part of the policy and regulation program has been a significant contribution to the revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This contribution includes the Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality. The aim of the Framework is to promote a pro-active management approach based on risk assessment and the implementation of management programs to mitigate those risks. Robust multiple barriers and a thorough understanding of the factors that generate the risks are essential. The Framework not only provides guidance for managers but it also provides a system for prioritising research in the CRC.
A major aim of our research is to provide information to assist in the assessment of risks and also to provide research outcomes which inform management actions to control identified risks.
Visit website - http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/
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CRC for eWater
The eWater CRC aims to be a national and international leader in the development, application and commercialisation of products for integrated water cycle management. The eWater CRC is a partnership between private and public water businesses and research groups across eastern Australia.
The eWater CRC seek to produce practical products that bring economic, commercial and environmental benefits from the smart management of water. eWater CRC builds on the knowledge, end-user networks and business systems of two successful water CRCs: Catchment Hydrology and Freshwater Ecology. eWater CRC has a strong market-orientation and commercial focus.
Visit website - http://www.ewatercrc.com.au/
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American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF)
Awwa Research Foundation is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers. The objective of the foundation is to advance the science of water to improve the quality of life. AwwaRF aim to achieve this objective by sponsoring research, developing knowledge and promoting collaboration.
The Foundation was established in 1966 to provide a centralized, practical research program for the drinking water community. Its research program, which is highly respected as being one of the most scientifically credible and best-coordinated in the world, focuses on four main goal areas:
- high-quality water
- efficient and customer-responsive organization
- infrastructure reliability
- environmental leadership.
Specific research projects focus on the following:
- treatment
- distribution
- resources
- monitoring and analysis
- management
- health effects.
Visit website - http://www.awwa.org/
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Water Environment Research Foundation
The Water Environment Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps utilities and corporations preserve the water environment and protect human health by providing science and technology research to enhance management of our water resources.
The Water Environment Research Foundation is dedicated to advancing science and technology addressing water quality issues as they impact water resources, the atmosphere, the lands, and quality of life.
Their progressive research approach incorporates substantial subscriber involvement. Teams of subscribers, environmental professionals, distinguished scientists, and staff work collaboratively to help select, fund, and manage hundreds of research projects in six program areas:
- conveyance systems
- infrastructure management
- wastewater treatment and reuse
- solids treatment
- residuals and reuse
- stormwater
- watershed management
- water quality.
The investigators who carry out WERF's research represent municipal agencies, academia, government laboratories, and industrial and consulting firms. This rich base of expertise allows for creative and innovative solutions, whether it's a new tool or technology, a how-to guide, or knowledge to inform decision making. Some of the best minds in the water quality community provide peer review of their research to ensure unbiased results that will have a lasting effect on the state of science, water environment, and human health.
Visit website - http://www.werf.org/
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WateReuse Association
The WateReuse Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination for the benefit of our members, the public, and the environment.
Across the United States and the world, communities are facing water supply challenges due to increasing demand, drought, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and dependence on a single source of supply. Water reuse helps communities address these challenges.
Activities and Benefits - WateReuse supports water projects that increase high-quality water supplies, improve reliability, protect public health, and safeguard the environment. The Association assists its members in implementing projects that solve water supply challenges faced by local communities through:
- Sponsoring research that advances the science of water reuse and supports the Association's commitment to providing high-quality water, protecting public health, and improving the environment;
- Reaching out to members, the public, and local leaders and officials with information that communicates the value and benefits of water reuse; and
- Encouraging more Federal and State support for water reuse, including funding for scientific research and implementation of local projects.
WateReuse members employ proven and advanced treatment processes and rigorous monitoring regimes to create reliably high-quality water for a wide variety of uses from treated municipal and industrial effluents, stormwater, agricultural drainage, and sources with high salinity such as seawater and brackish water.
Visit website - http://www.watereuse.org