To improve water security, drought and environmental resilience of our water bodies many utilities and governments are exploring ways to augment natural systems with highly treated recycled water (HTRW). These can be used to improve environmental flows, secure yields through indirect potable reuse (IPR) and enhance environmental outcomes in urban waterways, including recreational access to water bodies, for urban cooling and liveability benefits.
Understanding the short-term and cumulative long-term effects and interactions arising from augmenting natural water bodies with HTRW is needed to deliver positive environmental benefits. This project focuses on research beyond the immediate environmental impact and will enhance knowledge around the long-term ecosystem changes that may occur in the receiving water bodies.
The project involves synthesising existing knowledge on HTRW (from Australian and international literature, case studies and information from water industry partners) and developing conceptual models and a framework for assessing risks associated with augmenting lentic (lakes and reservoirs) or lotic (rivers and streams) waterways with HTRW.
Through the course of this project, we expect to achieve the following:
Funded by Water Research Australia (WaterRA) on behalf of its water industry partners (listed above)
Thank you to EPA Victoria for providing data for this project.
May 2025
Contact: aquest@rmit.edu.au
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.