Graduates advance wastewater treatment through nanobubble technology
Greater Western Water (GWW) has become the first utility in Australia to pilot
nanobubble technology, with its graduate engineers successfully delivering
improved Class C recycled water quality as part of the wastewater treatment
process.
In 2022, graduate engineer Samuel Leong proposed a trial to explore the
potential of nanobubble technology in wastewater treatment. Building on
this initiative, graduate Roshi Selvakumar carried the project forward in
collaboration with Custom Fluids, to successfully implement the trial in 2024.
Their technical paper, detailing the trial and its outcomes, was awarded
second place at a water industry conference - a testament to the quality
of their work and its significance within the industry.
General Manager of Strategy and Partnerships, Kessia Thomson said the
project highlights the potential of emerging technologies to improve the quality
of recycled water, with the added benefit of being driven by graduates who
represent the next generation of industry leaders.
"Led by two graduate engineers, this trial has delivered valuable operational
insights while offering early-career professionals the chance to take ownership
of a real-world, impact-driven innovation." said Ms Thomson.
The small-scale trial was conducted at GWW’s Bacchus Marsh Recycled
Water Plant and aimed to heighten and maintain the dissolved oxygen (DO)
levels in one of the site’s operational lagoons. By improving DO levels, the
nanobubbles support a more natural process, reducing the need for chemicals
and enhancing overall treatment efficiency.
As a result, the trial met its intended aim and produced a much higher quality of
Class C recycled water. Class C recycled water is used across agriculture,
industry, and community spaces for purposes such as irrigation, dust suppression,
and roadworks. Improving water quality not only increases customer confidence but
also strengthens environmental outcomes by reducing nutrient discharge, protecting
waterways, and promoting sustainable resource use.
The next phase will involve a follow-up trial exploring the use of additional technology
in the lagoon to further improve the quality of recycled water.
