urban water security research alliance …...2008/03/11 · seq urban water security research...
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SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance STAKEHOLDER FORUM
Tuesday, 11 March 2008 1:00pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Large Seminar Room 3.142, Building 80
CSIRO, Qld Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia
PROGRAM
Time Program Presenter
1:00pm Welcome and Introductions Mr Chris Davis, Chairman
1:10pm Presentation Session 1
1:10pm Overview of Alliance and its activities and programs Mr Don Begbie, Director
1:30pm Project presentation 1 - Purified Recycled Water Dr Simon Toze, CSIRO
1:45pm Project presentation 2 - Stormwater and Aquifers Dr Shiroma Maheepala, CSIRO
2:00pm Project presentation 3 - Decentralised Systems Dr Ashok Sharma, CSIRO
2:15pm Project presentation 4 – Systematic Social Analysis Ms Blair Nancarrow, CSIRO
2:30pm Project presentation 5 – Enhancing Institutional Capabilities Professor Brian Head, UQ
2:45pm Project presentation 6 – Climate and Water Dr Wenju Cai, CSIRO
3:00pm Afternoon Tea
3:30pm Presentation Session 2
3:30pm Project presentation 7 - Life Cycle Analysis and Integrated Modelling
Mr Steven Kenway, CSIRO
3:45pm Project presentation 8 – Water Quality Information Management
Professor Huijun Zhao, GU
4:00pm Project presentation 9 - Water Loss Dr Stewart Burn, CSIRO
4:15pm Project presentation 10 - Enhanced Treatment Professor Jurg Keller, UQ
4:30pm Project presentation 11 – NDMA Potential Professor Jurg Keller, UQ
4:45pm Open discussion forum
• Questions and answers • Feedback on Alliance program and projects
Chris Davis
5:30pm 6:30pm
Close Informal drinks and nibbles with stakeholders
6.30pm Finish
Urban Water Security Research Alliance
Overview
Alliance Overview
Alliance Research Overview
Stakeholder Engagement
Don BegbieDirector
11 March 2008
SEQ ChallengesRapid pace of change in SEQ
• population growth, climate change• reduced water security
South-east Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy (SEQRWSS)
Institutional reform agenda• supply owners, water utilities, local councils
New sources of water• Multidirectional water ‘grid’ – interconnecting pipelines, inter-basin transfer• Additional sources – desalination, potable reuse, stormwater, rainwater, etc
Unaware, uneducated community• legacy of successful historical supply of high quality water
Minimal local ‘urban water’ research capacity• stronger ‘ecological water’ capacity
Alliance Overview
Cooperative funding and research alliance between the State Government, CSIRO, University of Queensland and Griffith University
Inform and support SEQ Regional Water Supply Strategy (RWSS) implementation
Research and Development Focus
Building research capacity in SEQ
5 year life (with 2 year extension option)
Budget - $10m / year ($5m State + $5m Research Partners)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Investment Breakdown
$ (1
000)
Research - Contestable
Research - Core
Operational Costs
Alliance Budget
Research Partners
Alliance Governance
Stakeholder Coordination & Engagement
UQ State Govt
Griffith CSIRO
State & CSIRO
Alliance Management Board
Alliance Management Team
Research Advisory Committee + Experts
Alliance Research Program Goals
• Closing the loop– Build reliability and safety in recycled water systems– Deliver water security by recycling wastewater and stormwater through
aquifers
• Informed Decision Making– Advise and inform the community engagement process– Build community confidence in the organisational capacity to deliver
water supply security
• Managing our Future Water Supply– Build scientific knowledge to ensure the management of health and
safety risks in the future water supply system– Improve public safety and sustainability of new water supply systems
Alliance Research Program and Projects• Closing the Loop
– Purified Recycled Water (PRW) – Simon Toze (CSIRO)– Stormwater / Aquifer – Shiroma Maheepala (CSIRO)– Decentralised Systems – Ashok Sharma (CSIRO)
• Informed Decision Making– Systematic Social Analysis – Blair Nancarrow (CSIRO)– Enhancing Institutional Capacities – Brian Head (UQ)
• Managing our Future Water Supply– Climate and Water – Wenju Cai (CSIRO)– Life Cycle Analysis and Integrated Modelling – Steven Kenway (CSIRO)– Water Quality Information Management – Huijun Zhao (GU)– Water Loss – Stewart Burn (CSIRO)– Enhanced Treatment – Jurg Keller (UQ)– NDMA Potential – Jurg Keller (UQ)
Program 1 – Closing the Loop
• Risk Assessment, Management & Monitoring– Integrated Human / Ecological Risk in PRW - risk assessment for all barriers in PRW– AWT source water control (eg. trade waste & STP enhancement)– AWT product water monitoring & evaluation (eg. limnological and water quality impacts
through PRW re-charge of Wivenhoe)– Monitoring tool development / application for health risk detection – focus on microbial
detection, bioanalytical tool interpretation and development (NWC project support)
Purified Recycled Water (PRW) – Simon Toze (CSIRO)
• Options for innovative capture, storage, delivery of NEW waters through stormwater and / or Managed Aquifer Recovery – link to existing pilot schemes
• Inform Lockyer supplementary supply scheme – g/water modelling, hydro-geological domains
Stormwater / Aquifer – Shiroma Maheepala (CSIRO)
• Evaluation methodologies for assessing black/grey water package plants – links to SEQ trials• Design codes for implementation (and operation)• Impact of recycle systems on water cycle water availability/infrastructure requirements
Decentralised Systems – Ashok Sharma (CSIRO)
Program 2 – Informed Decision Making
• Identifying attitudes / beliefs / behaviours / values / drivers & risk understanding, and how they influence practices (PRW & other new sources is the focus in early research)
• Options to influence community response (including Demand Management)
Systematic Social Analysis – Blair Nancarrow (CSIRO)
• Investigating the multiple outcomes and benefits arising from the new institutional arrangements
– Case studies on IWQM implementation, water use efficiency policies, SEQ Urban Water Alliance
• Training and education needs for water treatment operators and managers
Enhancing Institutional Capabilities – Brian Head (UQ)
Program 3 – Managing our Future Water Supply
• Downscaling on climate forecasts for SEQ – climate change at 20km2 scale – links to State Climate Centre
• Implications of downscaling outputs on LCA, Hydrological Modelling etc
Climate and Water – Wenju Cai (CSIRO)
• Develop an integrated modelling framework (focus on water and contaminant balance)• Evaluate impacts of existing strategies on water energy nutrient balance in SEQ - (incl. what
tools do we use to assess future strategies)• Evaluate appropriate trading (trade off) regimes in future whole of water cycle
management
Life Cycle Analysis and Integrated Modelling – Steven Kenway (CSIRO)
• Enhance sensor application and technology• Framework for data collection, collation, management and feedback for PRW (later for whole
of water cycle)• Inform Phase II of the SEQ Water Accounting Framework (WQ data require and
transformations of most value)
Water Quality Information Management – Huijun Zhao (GU)
Managing our Future Water Supply (con’t)
• Reducing evaporative loss from reservoirs – links to NRW / QWC pilot trials• Reducing and evaluating leakage in potable and sewerage reticulations systems
Water Loss – Stewart Burn (CSIRO)
NDMA Potential – Jurg Keller (UQ)• Establish method to detect NDMA formation potential• Identify possible problem source streams or operating conditions leading to NDMA
formation• Component groups potentially present and correlated with NDMA formation potential
• Evaluation of existing (small/medium) treatment plant capacity and performance• Evaluation of technology options for enhanced treatment capacity (to achieve potable
quality) – links to existing CabWater treatment facilities• Evaluation of risks associated with small to medium treatment plant upgrades
Enhanced Treatment – Jurg Keller (UQ)
Urban Water Security Research Alliance
• Alliance websitehttp://www.urbanwateralliance.org.au/
• Publications can be found on:http://www.urbanwateralliance.org.au/publications.html
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
PURIFIED RECYCLED WATER
Simon TozeProject Leader
11 March 2008
PRW Project Overview
AimTo examine the health and ecological risks associated with PRW
Research ComponentsSource ControlReservoirsAdvanced Monitoring TechniquesRisk Assessment
Barrier 1Source
Barrier 2WWTP
Barrier 3MF
Barrier 4RO
Barrier 5Advanced Ox
Barrier 6Reservoirs
Barrier 7Drinking Water
Source
Reservoir
Bioanalytical Tools
Risk Assessment
Staff Allocation to Research Areas
Project AreasResearch Areas
RiskAssessment
Advanced MonitoringTechniques
Source Control Reservoirs
Effort and Budget Allocation(Year 1 only)
10 20 50 20
Senior Staff involved
Jane Blackmore Jochen Mueller Jurg Keller Michelle Burford
Tony Priestly Rai Kookana Simon Toze Rai Kookana
Declan Page Heather Chapman Jochen Mueller Helen Stratton
Glen Shaw Simon Toze Rai Kookana Simon Toze
Heather Chapman Helen Stratton Jochen Mueller
Bronwyn Harch
Progress To Date
• Project plan is completed and has been amended to reflect shift of effort to Source Control component.
• Meeting with appropriate stakeholders and external projects is underway.
• Draft report has been done on interpretation of results from bioanalytical tools.
• Discussions on the agreement between the PRW project and the NWC Entox project is underway.
• A literature review on microbial molecular tools and methodologies is nearing completion.
Proposed Activities next 6 -12 monthsThe way Forward
• Sampling the WWTPs for removal of pathogens and selected chemicals.
– Done in collaboration with existing Brisbane Water work.
• Develop greater links with other external projects.
• Commence research on the partitioning of selected target chemicals and microbial pathogens between the soluble and insoluble phases of wastewater.
• Start to gather data from councils on trade waste discharge.
• Testing of performance of passive samplers in raw and treated sewage.
• Selecting and testing appropriate methods for the detection of pathogens in water.
Proposed Activities next 6 -12 monthsThe way Forward
• Start pathogen decay studies in the reservoirs.
• Develop methodologies to study fate of trace organics in reservoirs.
• Develop a collaborative project with SEQWater and Shane Snyder (Southern Nevada Water Authority).
• Work up initial risk assessment criteria based on findings by Dan Deere.
• Produce reports, presentations and position papers on initial research findings.
Challenges
• Building a team environment and coordinating across partners.
• Achieving coordination with external projects.– Please give any information on other projects
• Obtain a better understanding of the research needs for risk assessment and ensuring that other research components cover the data needs for risk research.
• Connection with the appropriate people in councils and water treatment authorities in time of large organisational change.
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
STORMWATER AND AQUIFERS PROJECT
Dr Shiroma MaheepalaProject Leader
11 March 2008
Project Overview
• Stormwater Harvesting– Identification of regional and cluster scale
stormwater harvesting opportunities in SEQ– 90% funding in Year 1
• Aquifers– Examination of biophysical consequences of
the proposed recycled water use scheme in Lockyer Valley
– 10% funding in Year 1 for project scoping
Stormwater Harvesting – resource availability and key challenge
• Theoretically, high potential to use stormwater
• Key Challenge -capturing seasonal rainfall to provide a reliable supply
SEQ Water Balance
480 GL
1 GL
16 GL500 GL
230 GL
1200 mm
Stormwater Harvesting – Problem• Preliminary assessment
– conducted in Oct 2006 – As part of SEQRWSS– Outcomes
• Currently only few schemes with storage in lakes/ponds mainly for irrigation
• ~$2.80/KL based on direct financial costs & pond option
• Preliminary assessment did not consider– Other storage options: feasibility not known, e.g. MAR,
possible storage in sewer mains– Possible industrial and commercial uses: Not explored– True cost – not known
• Need for internalisation of externalities – Regulation/legislation aspects to enable
implementation: not fully understood
Purpose of this study
Stormwater Harvesting - Objectives
• Identification of regional and cluster level stormwater harvesting opportunities in SEQ, by considering– All possible harvesting options and end uses– System-wide TBL implications, e.g. supply-side,
receiving waters, flooding, habitat values, energy, etc.• Identification of regulatory and legislation
barriers and solutions for implementation• Pilot scheme demonstrations in collaboration
with key stakeholders
Study Area
Local Government Areas that constitute the Council of Mayors SEQ
Map shows • Current LGAs• New LGAs
Aquifer Component – Problem• Focus: Lockyer Valley • Groundwater extraction
significantly exceeds estimated sustainable yield
• Compounded by drought
• Proposal to use recycled water, but implications not fully understood– Social– Economic– Bio Physical
Aquifer Component - Objectives• Contribute to
quantify biophysical consequences of recycled water use to enable conjunctive use of groundwater and recycled water– Groundwater quality– Surface water quality– Groundwater-surface
water interaction– Contaminant
(including salinity and nutrients) mobilisation
Outputs: First 2 years• Project scoping for Lockyer Valley
recycled scheme (Mar 08)• Review of stormwater harvesting
(Apr 08)– International and national
experiences– Current status in SEQ– Knowledge gaps & research
needs
• Map of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) potential in SEQ (similar to Melbourne) (Jun 08)
• Master Plan of stormwater harvesting options by considering different storage options including MAR and sewer mains (Dec 08)
• Engage with key stakeholders for pilot project demonstrations (Jun 09)
Thank You!
• Contact DetailsDr Shiroma MaheepalaPrinciple Research ScientistStream Leader: Integrated Water Systems, Water for a Healthy Country
National Research FlagshipCSIRO Land and WaterE-mail: [email protected]: 03 9252 6072; 0419 346 784
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
DECENTRALISED SYSTEMS
Ashok SharmaProject Leader
11 March 2008
Decentralised Systems
Background• Conventional urban water systems are implemented as separate systems.• Increased urbanisation and industrialisation - population increase, shortage of
water, waste disposal, system upgrade, water quality, technology upgrade –sustainability ?
• IUWM and decentralised systems approaches for future urban water systems• Decentralised systems for water, wastewater and stormwater services• All scales from household to sub-division• Provide alternative approaches for urban water servicing
Current status• Planning, design, implementation, reliability, verification, sustainability, environmental and
health impacts…,…,.. ----yet to be explored• Retrofitting existing systems for the transition towards more sustainable systems• No clear and robust guidelines for implementation decentralised systems• Contaminants characteristic in urban water cycle• Resource recovery and impact on existing systems especially sewer network
System complexity
Bran
ch S
ewer
W
ater
Mai
n
Complexity in
Planning, design, implementation, technology selection, operation and maintenance, understanding health, environmental, social and economic aspects
Conventional systems Wastewater reuse Greywater reuse
Rainwater & greywater reuse
Previous work
NWC – ICON WSU developments projects to understand knowledge gaps, impediments, constraints and barriers
Greenfield developments – addressed to some extent
High density/ high-rise residential commercial – not addressed/ limited
Project scope
• Understanding of total water and contaminant cycle• Data and information on technologies and infrastructure appropriate for
different applications, their performance, operation and maintenance requirements
• Framework for the selection of systems and technologies for various developments
In short term – Focus on High-rise developments and wastewater resource
• Collection and analysis of existing data and information on water and contaminant flows
• Identification of knowledge gaps and develop monitoring program with stakeholders
• Develop understanding of the impacts of flows and contaminants on total water cycle
Methodology
Assess current systems
- Water flows- Contaminant sources - Contaminant flows
Identify potential impacts of decentralised system on
human health, environment, treatment system and
infrastructure and total water cycle. Assess potential for
resource recovery
Review current guidelines for
decentralised systems in SEQ
Review previous monitoring programs and testing protocols
Develop monitoring program
Implement monitoring program
Develop generic guidelines for specific
development type
Decentralised systems database (NAIAD?)
Develop framework for technology selection
Year 1 –Deliverables for
high density residential and
commercial building
Review current monitoring programs, protocols and guidelines for decentralised systems
Monitoring programs• Payne Road, The Gap, Brisbane – small sub-division with extensive
monitoring of water and energy. Greywater, rainwater and stormwater
• CH2 and 60L, Melbourne – Office buildings, one new build, one retrofit. Sewer mining and on-site wastewater treatment, raintanks and stormwater
Protocols• Greywater technology testing• International standards
Guidelines• Existing Qld EPA monitoring requirements• Existing technical guidance and reports
Assess water and contaminant balance
• Water flows– Residential –laundry, kitchen, toilet, irrigation, evaporation,
cooling– Commercial (office) – cooling, toilets, cleaning (DNW and
Sydney Water in GHD report, 2007)• Contaminant sources
– Wastewater/ greywater – household products (hygiene, laundry, cleaning) urine, faeces, infrastructure, mains water
– Rainwater/stormwater – collection area, atmosphere, infrastructure
• Contaminants flows– Residential – CSIRO/Smart Water Fund Wastewater
Contaminants project– Commercial – BCC, UQ, CH2, 60L
High density development
High density case study sites (some currently out to tender)• Admiralty Towers – completed project with sewer mining for
irrigation• BCC building – dual pipe installed, currently out for tender for
the wastewater recycling facility• Green Square – dual pipe installed• Mechanical Engineering Building at UQ – treatment process
for wastewater treatment and energy generation• CH2, 60L, Bendigo Bank
Other case study sites• Payne Road• The Currumbin Ecovillage
Progress• Appointment of an Engineer for the project• Information on monitoring and available data on water and contaminant
balances collected through NWC WSU developments project• Literature search on water and contaminant flow in high-rise developments• Negotiations with stakeholders having access to available data• Identification of possible sites for monitoring
Challenges• Monitoring of flows and contaminants is expensive and time consuming• Decentralised systems -comparatively new - new technologies emerging –
long term validation
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
SYSTEMATIC SOCIAL ANALYSISCommunity Partnerships and Sustainable Water Resources
Blair NancarrowProject Leader
11 March 2008
Challenges for Social Science
PRWIt is a matter of history that Decide Announce Defend approaches to the
introduction of potable reuse of wastewater are prone to failure– Nervousness increases as the time to turn on the tap approaches
DEMAND MANAGEMENT• Conservation and sustainability attitudes do not automatically
translate to water conserving behaviours and management of this is poorly understood– How do we achieve long term, sustainable behavioural change?
Challenges for Social Science
ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY SYSTEMS• It is not generally known what alternative neighbourhood water
supply systems might be acceptable to the community and why– Developers, planners and engineers have a wealth of innovative
WSUDs available, but which are acceptable to the community and what factors are important in acceptability decisions?
MOVING WATER AROUND THE GRID• Defining “fairness” that is agreed by the range of stakeholders, and
measuring benefits from water on a TBL are both problematical– The first easily degenerates to arguments and conflict– The second has methodological issues
Year 1 - PRW
Baseline Behavioural
Measure
Trust Fairness(Social Justice) EmotionRisk
Recommendationsfor Communication
& Information(Jan 2008)
Preliminary Recommendations
forCommunication
(Nov 2007)
Evaluation & Behaviour
Re-measure
Ongoing Recommendations
(June 2008)
Predicting Intended Behaviour
SubjectiveNorm
Health Risk
Trust
.81
.27
.70
.63
-.13
Strong ContributionModerate Contribution Weak Contribution
Fairness
Emotion
Behaviour
.26
.81
.69
86% of variance explained
.81
.22
-.20
System Risk
-.55
-.37
.86
Some Key Findings – The Good News
• Considerable support for PRW
• The behavioural model provides a good baseline measure of community decision making
• There is some trust in specific bodies to responsibly manage and operate the scheme, and to provide reliable information – Trust in scientists, and CSIRO in particular, is significantly higher
than for all organisations
Some Key Findings - Caution
• Support for PRW drops markedly– in the case of environmental harm– if other management options could provide water supply
• There may be up to 1/3 of those supportive of PRW who are not aware they will be in a PRW supply area– support could therefore be more sentiment than intended
behaviour
• Trust in private companies is significantly lower than for all other groups/organisations to provide reliable information
• Lesser trust in Veolia Water than other bodies to perform required functions, though not a lot is known about them
• Trust in a regulating “Queensland Government Body” is low (but as yet an “unknown”)
Some Key Findings – Understand, Monitor and Manage
• There is nervousness and uncertainty about system risk
• Both trust and emotion strongly influence perceptions of system risk
• System risk predicts health risk
Scoping Workshops
• December – 9 scoping community workshops throughout SEQ to explore in-depth the key drivers of behavioural decisions
– Support for PRW was cautious reflecting feelings of inevitability
– Confirmation that system risk and its influence on health risk are major concerns in the community
– Interrelationship of trust, risk, emotion and fairness again strongly emerged, indicating a need to carefully monitor and manage all four variables
– A need for accessible and ‘living’ information was strongly expressed• The workshop experience was apparently positive and informative
What Now?
• Risk– Professionals and community need to talk risk with a common
understanding (or at least by understanding the differences)– Q-method is being utilised for experts and community to identify the
different dimensions in which they make risk judgements about PRW
• Fairness & Emotion– Fairness has links to cost, risk and emotion– Distributive justice – involvement of industry and manufacturing
stakeholders– Emotion (“disgust” / “yuck factor”) is the wild card– CADS and opponents play on emotions to influence the general
community
• Demand Management– Originally planned for Year 2, now looking at ways to bring it forward
Thank You
http://www.urbanwateralliance.org.au/publications.html
Nancarrow, B. E., Leviston, Z., Tucker, D., Greenhill, M. P., Price, J. & Dzidic, P. (2007).Community Acceptability of the Indirect Potable Use of Purified Recycled Water in South East Queensland and Preferences for Alternative Water Sources: A Baseline Measure. CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country National Research Flagship Perth.
Australian Research Centre for Water in SocietyCSIRO Land and WaterBlair E. Nancarrow
Phone: +61 8 9333 6290Email: [email protected]: www.clw.csiro.au/research/society/arcwis
Trust to Perform Roles and Responsibilities
1
2
3
4
5
Scientists Queensland Health NRW Veolia Water Qld Govt body
CompleteTrust
No trust at all
Some trust
Trust to Provide Reliable Information CompleteTrust
No trust at all
Some trust
1
2
3
4
5
CSIRO Medicaldoctors
Universities EPA NRW Consumergroups
Environmentalgroups
QWC QueenslandHealth
Veolia Water Privatecompanies
Support for PRW (80% of sample; n=465)
*41%
*60%
*26%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Rained Environmental harm Other options
Changed mindUnsureContinued support
* = % of total sample(n=583)
Opposition to PRW (20% of the sample; n=117)
*11% *11%
*6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
No severe restrictions No water No ill-health
Continued oppositionUnsureChanged mind
* = % of total sample(n=583)
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
ENHANCING INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES
Brian HeadProject Leader
11 March 2008
Purpose of this project• We are examining the evolving “institutional”
foundations for building effective and efficient long-term arrangements for water management in SEQ.
• “Institutional” includes various aspects:– Organisational roles – Legal and regulatory– Performance objectives/measures– Links and relationships– Consultation – Learning and evaluation– Behavioural and attitudinal change– Governments (3 levels), businesses, communities, and
individuals.
Purpose (cont’d)
• The challenges and urgency of building these new arrangements are significant, given national and regional refocus on urban water issues:– the rediscovery of urban water issues by the
National Water Commission and possible revisions to the NWI.
– the scale and rapidity of change in SEQ and the change-management challenges
– the establishment of QWC itself, with strong new powers and responsibilities, notably for “supply-side” water security
– re-negotiating and designing other bodies’ responsibilities concerning water planning, water quality etc.
Purpose (cont’d)
• The project will provide research information to the principal stakeholders (NRW and QWC), and to wider scientific and decision-making communities.
• We complement the 8 scientific/engineering projects which are investigating the feasibility of delivering high-quality technical solutions.
• We explore the organisational pathways for achieving long-term multiple benefits through these new institutional arrangements.
• We take a multi-scale approach by looking at how decisions are “nested” in federal – state – regional layers, with their local rules and perspectives.
• We note there are interacting regulatory rules and networks which help or hinder the delivery of multiple water outcomes.
Links between diverse issues
Community attitudes & behaviours
Agency roles andPartnership arrangements
Scientific & stakeholderinformation
Scope of project
• Institutional Context: we analyse the institutional reform directions for SEQ in context of successful institutional innovation in Queensland, other relevant jurisdictions, and national/international developments.
• Supply, Quality and Efficiency issues: we note that water quality and water-use efficiency are also important dimensions of water security. Their inter-relations require analysis of broader program and policy frameworks.
• Tools and instruments: improved water outcomes will be delivered through a mix of instruments/actions, e.g. market based incentives, regulatory directives, partnerships, and voluntary actions by business and citizens. We explore this mix of instruments.
Scope (cont’d)The core outcomes for water management in SEQ include:• Security of water supply• Efficiency and effectiveness of water operations• Effective governance and control mechanisms.
Other important related outcome areas will also need to be explicitly addressed as the implementation unfolds, e.g.:
• Continuous innovation, development and implementation of water use efficiency among all end-users (including effective demand-management).
• Sustainable management (triple bottom line outcomes) throughout the integrated water cycle and “water-sensitive urban design”.
• Management of externalities and associated environmental outcomes (e.g. storage catchment management, land-use issues and water quality).
Methods and progressCurrent status:• Team recruitment and two quarterly meetings held with
Reference Group.• Team is currently undertaking background research on
institutional arrangements in SEQ, other relevant states/regions of Australia, and the national frameworks:
• To map and understand the context in which water reform implementation takes place
• To clarify the processes by which decisions are made, including process for risk assessment and future needs, and process for integrating multiple objectives in water cycle management in various jurisdictions.
• Planning an initial round of focus-groups/interviews and a survey of key water managers in SEQ to establish the perceptions of key stakeholders early in the change process; prelude to a further survey in a later year.
Further steps in next 12 months
• Complete initial survey/interviews process.• Research possible areas for developing measures in
integrated water management (IWM) based on comparative analysis of other IWM systems.
• Finalise detailed map of specific institutional roles and the transactional requirements for policy, regulatory oversight, and inter-entity transactions.
• Consider criteria for understanding and evaluating (enhanced) institutional capacity to address necessary linkages and partnerships for IWM.
Research challenges
• Understanding the types of relationships needed to plan and achieve long-term objectives for integrated water management outcomes at regional and national levels.
• The intersection of responsibility for water security and linkages to broader issues of ecological health, land-use decision-making and natural resource management.
• Clarifying the evolving responsibilities of three levels of government, businesses and citizens;
• Integrating the findings and insights across several research projects, including attitudinal data on the critical thresholds/limits of behavioural change.
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
CLIMATE AND WATER
Wenju CaiProject Leader
11 March 2008
Outline …
(i) What the project is / purpose
(ii) Progress to date
(iii) Proposed activities for next 6-12 months
(iv) Key messages for stakeholders
Long-term rainfall trend
Accumulated rainfall deficit: Brisbane catchment
(The Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams)
Courtesy of QCCCE
Nesting Structure
Dom ain1800km × 1800kmResolution 22.5km
Dom ain600km × 600kmResolution 7.5km
CSIRO global climate model
200km x 200km
Science capability
GU: Integration at local and basin scalesto determine the impact on stormwater runoff and inflows to reservoirs.
CSIRO dynamical downscaling model
20km x 20km
Climate change attribution
Modelling historical rainfall
Easterlies are decreasingRainfall are decreasing
ENSO
Uncertainty in models
Uncertainty in emission
Present to 2020s:uncertainties in climate & hydrological models dominate
2050s to 2100s:uncertainties in GHG emission scenarios dominate
Run models with various emission scenarios:6 proposed
Work Progress
• Examine deficiencies in climate model simulation in the SEQ region
• Conduct a downscaling experiment in to future climate
• Establish a system linking model outputs with inflows to dams
Consensus
• El Niño-like warming pattern
• More extreme weather
• Impact of rising temperature may be very significant
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS AND INTEGRATED MODELLING
Steven KenwayProject Leader
Shiroma Maheepala, Murray Hall, Joe Lane, Peter Daniels,Paul Lant, David DeHaas, Roger Braddock, Jeff Foley,
Stephen McFallen, Tim Baynes, and others
11 March 2008
Overview
• Background
• Aims, Scope, Focus
• Progress
• Next steps
Project Aims and Scope
• Develop a decision-support system and integrated water cycle modelling tool focussed on water, nutrient, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions
• Assist understanding of the system through improved use of knowledge and data
• Inform water policy and planning phases including key performance indicators of efficiency
• Contribute to the development of new options or approaches not yet on the table
Influences on SEQ Water and Project Focus
SOP (Monthly-Instantaneous)Flows, storage, treatment, pumping, pressure, energy
SEQRWSS – Annual- Daily, 5-10 y horizonDetailed Water quantity, nutrient/sediment, contaminants, receiving water quality, total water cycle modelling and analysis, energy consumption
Regional Plan – Annual+, 30-50 y horizonDemographics, Population, Land Use, Energy, Emissions, Buildings, Hydrology, Food/Nutrients
Data flows & storage
System Processes & Plans
Key Questions
How do future configurations of SEQ drive the water system and regional impacts?
How do proposed future water supply, stormwater and wastewater management strategies impact on hydrological flows, energy and waterway health?Which options offer the best overall solutions for SEQ?
How do we operate the Water Grid to optimise performance and minimise impacts?
IQQM, E2, EUM, WATHNET, Ecological Models
ASFF (Stocks and Flows)
RQMM (MBP)
Operational models, scada and telemetric systems
System performance, and impacts on water, nutrient and energy flows
Climate models
Impact analysis methodologies (e.g. Simmapro)
SEQ W
AF
Data sources in state, local govt, research providers filtered and provided to and from SEQWAF
Models
Product functional area
Scenario Analysis
Linked hydrological models
LCA and mass flow analysis and modelling
Components of StudyScenario Analysis
User
Integrated quantity and quality modelling
Wathnet/IQQM
E2
Stormwater module
End-Use Model
Wastewater module
Receiving water quality
Life cycle impacts / energy analysis
Population Development and Land Use change
Energy analysis
Bulk supplies
Wastewater
Stormwater
LCA process energy directly
Water and nutrient flows and ultimately energy flows
Possible use of energy from LCA process units
Possible use of nutrients from LCA process units
Mas
s Fl
ow &
Ec
onom
ic U
sesEnvironmental
& economic assessment for
Decision-Making
Use
Urb
an W
ater
LC
A M
odel
Future Water Supply System
• How do water supply options affect water, nutrient and energy balances, ghg emissions
• Does integrated modelling improve resolution• Assumption validity
AWT’s
Desalination
New storages and bulk pipelines
Demand management?
Stormwater harvesting?
Decentralised Options?
Focus areas
H20 – supply, security, restrictions, risk
Total N & P (NOx)
MJ, C02-e (CH4, N20)
Metals, materials & chemicals
Social impacts
Environmental impacts Focus is on the red
area such that:•SEQRWSS and
alternatives analysed • related TBL analysis
can be undertaken
Construction Operation Decommission
Economic impacts
Progress to Feb’ 08• Stakeholder engagement (QWC, NRW, eWater)• Project Reference Panel formed - (MBP, EPA, QWC,
SEQ Councils, OuM, eWater and Tim Grant), • Research question contextualisation & concepts• Draft model review criteria & models list (some held)• Data and information needs defined (preliminary)• Energy characterisation in water cycle commenced
(BW and GCW)• Accounting framework review commenced• Draft functionality specification for IUWM tool
• Data & info (QWC, NRW), LCI inventory…. SEQRWSS, End-Use/SEQWAF, iterative with research question, IP agreements
• Model review & functionality specification…. clear user needs, and functionality / outputs definition, single model functionality versus functionality “as a group”
• Focus research questions & area of application of IUWM tool…. all of SEQ versus detailed component
• Modelling workshop with project reference panel &SEQWAF workshop
Next steps and challenges
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
WATER QUALITY MONITORING TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT(Water Quality Information Management)
Huijun ZhaoProject Leader
11 March 2008
Scope of the Project• Developing water quality monitoring techniques that are capable of
collecting critically important water quality information in a rapid and effective manner
Development of new analytical data treatment/processing methods utilising data collected from existing commercial sensorsImproving the applicability and effectiveness of existing sensors to suit the PRW systemDevelopment of new sensing techniques for PRW systemIntegrate the developed sensing technologies to PRW operation system
• Developing a water quality information management strategyensures the collected water quality information is in a coherent form that enables interoperability to improve the usability and availability of the data for the purpose of maintaining barrier’s integrity.
Progress to Date• Strategic relationships have been established with external
stakeholders• Staff have been appointed into SEQ to develop relationships with
external partners • The original WQIMS Project Proposal has been fully defined and
agreed by the BoardRevised project proposal has been submitted to the Board for approvalDetailed project implementation plan dealing with the scope changes is currently under development
• Collection and collation of existing water information and gap analysis is currently under investigation
• In depth review of existing water quality monitoring technologies and their suitability for PRW system are currently under investigation
Proposed Activities for Next 6-12 months
• Further strengthening the established strategic relationships with key stakeholders
• Completing the detailed implementation project plan• Continuing existing water quality data collection, collation and gap
analysis• Identifying data shortfalls (gaps) related to the Barriers 1 and 2• Identifying the targeted sensing technology focusing on the Barriers
1 and 2• Developing the targeted sensing technologies• Completing in-depth review of existing water quality monitoring
technologies and their suitability for PRW system
Challenges
• Budget allocation / operation• Coordination with key stakeholders to ensure the research findings
can be adopted
SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance
SYSTEMS LOSSES
Stewart BurnProject Leader
11 March 2008
Vision
• To enhance the water availability throughout SEQ by– Reducing evaporative loss from reservoirs– Identifying and reducing leakage in
potable reticulations systems using advanced system
• Partners– CSIRO, GU, NRW, QWC
Evaporation ControlProgress to Date
• Evaporation mitigation literature collated - underpins analysis of techniques
• Model for determining the energy balance and evaporation from storages developed– Based on readily available data– Accounts for changes in heat stores– Model modified to enable effects of monolayers to be
assessed
• Methodology for estimating evaporation from different sized water bodies developed
• Evaporation reduction and effectiveness of monolayers assessed
Initial findings – evaporation model
• Evaporation from major storages 1500-1600 mm• At full storage level (3 major storages) = 260GL • Annual supply to SEQ ~300GL
– 1 LITRE LOST FOR EACH LITRE SUPPLIED!
Wivenhoe
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
18.00
20.00
11/10/1983 28/04/1984 14/11/1984 02/06/1985 19/12/1985 07/07/1986 23/01/1987 11/08/1987
Evap
orat
ion
(mm
/d)
Initial findings - monolayers
• Long term evaporation reduction of ~10% expected. • This is MUCH less than the 30-50% claimed by some
manufacturers• Most studies short term nature (usually<2 months)
– Evaporation reductions initially high (~35%), taper off significantly as the water body reaches a new temperature equilibrium (takes ~6 months)
• Monolayers cause significant rise in temperature which may have effects on water quality and ecology of the storages – Average increase of 2.2C (3.0C in summer and 1.0C in winter)
Wivenhoe
Initial findings - monolayers
• Based on a full storage at Wivenhoe…– Annual cost of monolayer product per year $11-13 Million– Cost per kL saved - $0.64 - $0.74 (not including application and labour costs)
• Potential side effects – other studies suggest this is minimal but these are mostly short term. Possible longer term effects:
– Reduced oxygen levels– Increased acidity– Changes to gas diffusion processes– Algal blooms
• Technique warrants further investigation as costs less than desalination (~$1.60/kL)
Where to from here?• Analyse potential of remaining techniques (aiming for April 08)
– Surface runoff enhancement (CSIRO)– Manipulation of volume : surface area (CSIRO)– Hard covers (GU)– Shade covers (GU)– Wind breaks (GU)– Biological covers (GU)– Water column mixing (GU)
• Consult with reference panel as to preferred options for field testing
• Design monitoring program for testing of preferred options and development of proposal for commencement of monitoring into 2008/09. – Design will include involvement of commercial product suppliers,
water resource management bodies and scientists.
Reticulation Systems LeakageProgress to date
• Literature completed re current state of the art – a range of papers identified discussing the fundamentals of leak detection
• Training algorithms are currently being developed
• Data sets being sourced from Adelaide University
Where to from Here
• Train leak detection algorithm on signals from Adelaide University
• Experimental set up for measurement of pressure transients in the field
• Develop statistical techniques to extrapolate limited leak detection tests to large parts of the network
Messages and Challenges• Evaporation Control methods show promise
at a lower cost than desalination– Monolayers not as efficient as previously believed
• Field Trials – Currently unfunded, a problem to be solved
• Reticulation Leakage data sets to be resolved
• Some problems with staff availability
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Technologies to enhance existing recycling plant performance to
achieve PRW
Prof Jürg KellerAdvanced Water Management Centre
University of Queensland
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
PRW plants today
MF & RO Membranes
AOP
Concentrate TreatmentDischarge
Nutrient Removal WWTP
Biosolids
Advantages:+ Removal of pathogens+ Removal of chemicals (EDCs, PPCP)+ Reliable technology
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
PRW plants todayDrawbacks:
-10% to 15% concentrated waste stream: must be treated and disposed, unsuitable for locations not close to saline/brackish waterways
- Complex and “high tech” process: might not be suitable for small to medium size plants
Need for development ofalternative treatment trains
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Scopes of the projectAssessment of the capability of existing non membrane recycling plants to produce PRW:• Comparison with similar plants overseas• Comparison with membrane based technologies• Risk assessment
Evaluation of novel technologies generating no or reduced waste stream:
• Alternative treatment options producing PRW• Additional treatment steps to existing plants to
achieve PRW quality
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
ScheduleTask 1: develop tailored experimental methodologyTask 2: chemical and bio-analytical monitoring of process unitsTask 3: identify sensitive process parameters for removal efficiencyTask 4: determine possible limitation of current processesTask 5: testing and evaluating novel treatment optionsTask 6: Integration effects of novel treatment processes in process
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
South Caboolture Water Recycling Plant
High water quality standard: A+
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
South Caboolture Water Recycling PlantMicrobial tests carried out over an extended
period showed minor pathogen risk
Each single step of the overall treatment train will be evaluated:
• chemical analysis: EDCs, PPCPs, pesticides.
• bioassays: toxicity, carcinogenicity, endrogenocity,…
Risk assessment => is there a need for further treatment to achieve PRW quality?
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Additional or alternative technologies
Biological DOC removal: water filtration trough a media (GAC) supporting micro-organisms capable of degrading organics(separate project with CRC Water Quality & Treatment)
Membrane distillation: water purification via transportation of vapour through a membrane (project work with CSIRO)
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Biological DOC Removal
Ongoing research project at Caboolture (to mid 08)
Results to date indicate that biological GAC leads to 4-6 mg/L removal of DOC from WWTP effluent with 1-4 h of contact time
May not be suitable for large plants but could be a simple and reliable treatment for small to medium size application
Efficiency in removing chemicals of concern must be assessed
Membrane Distillation (Dr Manh Hoang, CSIRO)
Features:•Thermally driven process
•Only vapour molecules transport through hydrophobic membranes
Advantages:•Feed water does not require extensive pretreatment
•Low operating pressures
•Simplicity
•Better process safety
•Operated for a wide range of salinity
Membrane Distillation for water recycling
Project tasks
• Test feed water from Caboolture and other small scale tmt processes
• Determine maximal water recovery from such feeds
• Demonstrate operation in small pilot-scale unit
• Evaluate costs and operating conditions for water recycling
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Enhanced Treatment Project
Evaluate possible alternatives to MF-RO membrane processes for PRW production
Determine current treatment performance and need for enhanced process options/additions
Test additional process steps for performance improvement
Focus on treatment for small-medium scale applications without (large) concentrate generation
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Determination of NDMA potential and possible precursor sources
Prof Jürg KellerAdvanced Water Management Centre
University of Queensland
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA effects
Genotoxic: gene and chromosomal mutation, DNA damageMutagenic metabolitesCarcinogenic:• esophagus, liver, urinary bladder, brain, and
lungs• optimal conditions for carcinogenicity involve low-
dose exposure over long periods of time
N-Nitrosodimethylamine: (CH3)2N-N=O
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA source and occurrence in watersNDMA may be a disinfection by-product from:
• Chloramination (main source)• Chlorination• Ozonation
NDMA concentration in waters:• In drinking water: in the 10ng/L range• In disinfected wastewater: in the 100ng/L range
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA precursors and formationDimethylamine (DMA):• known precursor• present in wastewaters• can not account for the total formation of NDMA
Other N-compounds suspected:• Tertiary amines containing DMA moieties• Nitrogen-containing coagulants• Ammonia
Mechanism of NDMA formation: unknown
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA level control
Prevention of NDMA formation: removal of precursors prior to disinfection• Reverse osmosis removes most/all precursors• Biological treatment remove mainly DMA
Degradation of NDMA:• UV photolysis (UV lamps and sunlight)• Oxidation
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA challenges
Mechanism
Formationpotential
Prevention Degradation
Precursors
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Scope of the project
Establish a NDMA formation potential (FP) method
Identify source streams and operating conditions with increased NDMA FP
Characterise critical component groups correlated with a NDMA FP increase
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
NDMA formation potential methodCareful reaction, sampling and measurement method
NDMA analysis by QHSS
Close collaboration with EnTox and QHSS
Further support by Prof David Sedlak (UC Berkeley)
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Conditions influencing NDMA FP
Measurement of NDMA FP in water recycling plants in SEQ
Correlation between wastewater treatment plant performances and NDMA FP (?)
Need for further treatments (?)
Advanced WaterManagement Centre
Precursor identification
Major challenge
Technique: Excitation-Emission-Matrix method & detailed LC-MS3 analysis
Would help to develop targeted treatment steps to minimise NDMA formation