Understanding water recycling

When we turn the tap on, do we know what comes out? According to a water expert visiting Central Queensland University Rockhampton next week, we don't.

Project officer for Water Management Issues for the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Jenifer Simpson believes that Australians need to understand more about what's in their waste and the new technologies available to treat our water.

"We now have the technology and expertise to safely reclaim water to drinking quality," Simpson said.

However, she believes we are inhibited because of a lack of community knowledge and a fear of what's in our water.

"Sophisticated and efficient new technologies are now available and we need to take advantage of them, understand them and learn to trust them, to make the most out of the water we have available."

Simpson will present "From waste-d-water to pure water', the same title of her self-published book, on Monday, 28 August, from 11 am to 12 pm at CQU Rockhampton, building 29 G.05.

The presentation will also be videoconferenced to Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay and the Queensland University of Technology.

Water recycling expert Ben Kele from CQU said water recycling needs to address the particular needs of the local area.

Kele said it costs a relatively large amount of money to treat wastewater to a drinking water standard compared to producing recycled water "fit-for-purpose' for cooling tower water for industry or irrigation.

"If you have the money you can produce a very high quality recycled water from sewerage. For example, in Singapore the water is so pure it is used in the production of computer chips; a process that requires ultra-pure water."