Project Description
The purpose of this project is to complete the beta-testing phase of a coagulation prediction model, for optimal performance at relevant SEQwater drinking water treatment plants, as well as appropriate end user training. This is to ensure the uptake of the research outputs of a recently completed ARC Linkage Project, in which such model, relying solely on in-situ, high frequency sensor data, was developed.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
SEQwater: are the main beneficiary of the project, which will enable them to leverage their existing sensors and funded research to save chemicals and optimise their coagulation processes; saving time, money and improving their reputation. The local community will have a health benefit by reducing the risk of drinking below-standards drinking water.
Outcomes to Date
While the project is in initial stages, the preliminary model, built on over 80 samples from all over Australia, showed good accuracy and therefore high potential to achieve the benefits mentioned before.
Project Significance
The project will ensure effective deployment of the developed model. This will ensure more consistent and effective removal of organic matter from the raw water. This will contribute to better treated water quality at all times (SDG6), while minimising the use (and thus waste) of chemicals (SDG12). More indirectly, this will boost Seqwater’s infrastructures (plants and pipes) resilience to poor water quality events (SDG9), overall making its treatment processes more affordable. The community will benefit from consistently high-quality drinking water with acceptable levels of organic matter, limiting their potentially serious (cancer risk) effects when reacting with disinfection by-products (SDG3).