Potable reuse of reclaimed wastewater: challenges for sustainable water management

Paper

Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2006. "Potable reuse of reclaimed wastewater: challenges for sustainable water management." Enviro 2006 Conference: Building Sustainable Cities. Melbourne, Australia 09 - 11 May 2006 Sydney, Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Potable reuse of reclaimed wastewater: challenges for sustainable water management

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorAravinthan, Vasantha
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the Enviro 2006 Conference
Number of Pages8
Year2006
Place of PublicationSydney, Australia
ISBN097752230X
Conference/EventEnviro 2006 Conference: Building Sustainable Cities
Event Details
Enviro 2006 Conference: Building Sustainable Cities
Event Date
09 to end of 11 May 2006
Event Location
Melbourne, Australia
Abstract

Australia, being the driest continent in the world, experiences its worst drought currently. The cities located around the coastal areas look for desalination of seawater for potable supplies whereas inland cities explore the possibilities of wastewater reclamation as a last resort for indirect potable supply. The concept of reclaimed wastewater to be considered as a resource for indirectly augmenting the potable supplies has been a subject of debate. Wastewaters can introduce microbial and chemical contaminants into the environment. Even though the existing wastewater treatment plants can successfully remove the conventional contaminants such as organics and nutrients, they are less effective in removing the emerging contaminants such as pharmaceutical and personal care products, endocrine disrupting chemicals and new emerging microbial contaminants. Surface water partly fed with the effluents is widely used as water resource for drinking water and therefore the occurrence of trace organics in surface water is of concern. They are not causing any immediate threat to the humans when exposed since they are present in very low concentrations; however, we need to take precautionary measures to remove the presence of them from potable supplies to minimize the risk of unpredictable long-term effects. Planned indirect potable reuse aims to remove these contaminants in the tertiary treated effluent using advanced treatment technologies with multiple barriers before discharging them into the water bodies to augment the drinking water supply downstream or of their own. Advanced drinking water treatments could also be used to enhance the treatment. This paper discusses how waste treatment and source control will have to be equally managed for successful sustainable water resources management system of potable reuse of reclaimed wastewater.

Keywordsdrinking water; recycled water; health impacts
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020400411. Water treatment processes
400499. Chemical engineering not elsewhere classified
401102. Environmentally sustainable engineering
Public Notes

No access restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y1w5/potable-reuse-of-reclaimed-wastewater-challenges-for-sustainable-water-management

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
e6007.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND
File access level: Anyone

  • 1822
    total views
  • 468
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Bond performance of fly ash-based geopolymer mortar in simulated concrete sewer substrate
Ariyadasa, Piumika W., Manalo, Allan C., Lokuge, Weena, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Pasupathy, Kiru and Gerdes, Andreas. 2024. "Bond performance of fly ash-based geopolymer mortar in simulated concrete sewer substrate." Construction and Building Materials. 446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137927
Macro and microstructural evolution of low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer mortar exposed to sulphuric acid corrosion
Ariyadasa, Piumika W., Manalo, Allan C., Lokuge, Weena, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Gerdes, Andreas, Kaltenbach, Jonas and Galvan, Beatriz Arevalo. 2024. "Macro and microstructural evolution of low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer mortar exposed to sulphuric acid corrosion." Cement and Concrete Research. 178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2024.107436
Removal of natural organic matter and ammonia from dam water by enhanced coagulation combined with adsorption on powdered composite nano-adsorbent
Wongcharee, Surachai, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Erdei, Laszlo. 2020. "Removal of natural organic matter and ammonia from dam water by enhanced coagulation combined with adsorption on powdered composite nano-adsorbent." Environmental Technology and Innovation. 17, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2019.100557
The effect of ‘High-pH pretreatment’ on RO concentrate minimization in a groundwater desalination facility using batch air gap membrane distillation
Rioyo, Javier, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Bundschuh, Jochen. 2019. "The effect of ‘High-pH pretreatment’ on RO concentrate minimization in a groundwater desalination facility using batch air gap membrane distillation." Separation and Purification Technology. 227, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115699
Application of mesoporous magnetic nanosorbent developed from macadamia nut shell residues for the removal of recalcitrant melanoidin and its fractions
Wongcharee, Surachai and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2019. "Application of mesoporous magnetic nanosorbent developed from macadamia nut shell residues for the removal of recalcitrant melanoidin and its fractions." Separation Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2019.1606015
Modeling chloramine decay in full-scale drinking water supply systems
Ricca, Henry, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Gnanamanikam, Mahinthakumar. 2019. "Modeling chloramine decay in full-scale drinking water supply systems." Water Environment Research. 91 (5), pp. 441-454. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1046
Mesoporous activated carbon-zeolite composite prepared from waste macadamia nut shell and synthetic faujasite
Wongcharee, Surachai, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Erdei, Laszlo. 2019. "Mesoporous activated carbon-zeolite composite prepared from waste macadamia nut shell and synthetic faujasite." Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering. 27 (1), pp. 226-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2018.06.024
Effect of air gap membrane distillation parameters on the removal of fluoride from synthetic water
Naji, Osamah, Bowtell, Les, Al-juboori, Raed A., Aravinthan, Vasantha and Ghaffour, Noreddine. 2018. "Effect of air gap membrane distillation parameters on the removal of fluoride from synthetic water." Desalination and Water Treatment. 124, pp. 11-20. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.22694
‘High-pH softening pretreatment’ for boron removal in inland desalination systems
Rioyo, Javier, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Bundschuh, Jochen and Lynch, Mark. 2018. "‘High-pH softening pretreatment’ for boron removal in inland desalination systems." Separation and Purification Technology. 205, pp. 308-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.05.030
Research on ‘high-pH precipitation treatment’ for RO concentrate minimization and salt recovery in a municipal groundwater desalination facility
Rioyo, Javier, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Bundschuh, Jochen and Lynch, Mark. 2018. "Research on ‘high-pH precipitation treatment’ for RO concentrate minimization and salt recovery in a municipal groundwater desalination facility." Desalination. 439, pp. 168-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2018.04.020
Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from macadamia nut shell waste by carbon dioxide activation: comparative characterisation and study of methylene blue removal from aqueous solution
Wongcharee, Surachai, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Erdei, Laszlo and Sanongraj, Wipada. 2018. "Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from macadamia nut shell waste by carbon dioxide activation: comparative characterisation and study of methylene blue removal from aqueous solution." Asia Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering. 13 (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.2179
A review of strategies for RO brine minimization in inland desalination plants
Rioyo, Javier, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Bundschuh, Jochen and Lynch, Mark. 2017. "A review of strategies for RO brine minimization in inland desalination plants." Desalination and Water Treatment. 90, pp. 110-123. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.21439
Use of macadamia nut shell residues as magnetic nanosorbents
Wongcharee, Surachai, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Erdei, Laszlo and Sanongraj, Wipada. 2017. "Use of macadamia nut shell residues as magnetic nanosorbents." International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 124, pp. 276-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2017.04.004
Investigating natural organic carbon removal and structural alteration induced by pulsed ultrasound
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Investigating natural organic carbon removal and structural alteration induced by pulsed ultrasound." Science of the Total Environment. 541, pp. 1019-1030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.143
Insights into the scalability of magnetostrictive ultrasound technology for water treatment applications
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Bowtell, Leslie A., Yusaf, Talal and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2016. "Insights into the scalability of magnetostrictive ultrasound technology for water treatment applications." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 28, pp. 357-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.08.013
Tracking ultrasonically structural changes of natural aquatic organic carbon: chemical fractionation and spectroscopic approaches
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Tracking ultrasonically structural changes of natural aquatic organic carbon: chemical fractionation and spectroscopic approaches." Chemosphere. 145, pp. 231-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.11.079
Impact of pulsed ultrasound on bacteria reduction of natural waters
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Aravinthan, Vasantha and Yusaf, Talal. 2015. "Impact of pulsed ultrasound on bacteria reduction of natural waters." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 27, pp. 137-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.05.007
Assessing the application and downstream effects of pulsed mode ultrasound as a pre-treatment for alum coagulation
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Aravinthan, Vasantha, Yusaf, Talal and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Assessing the application and downstream effects of pulsed mode ultrasound as a pre-treatment for alum coagulation." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 31, pp. 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.11.028
Evaluating the impact of operating parameters on biocidal effects of pulsed ultrasound in natural water disinfection
Al Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2015. "Evaluating the impact of operating parameters on biocidal effects of pulsed ultrasound in natural water disinfection." Journal of Biotechnology. 208 (Supplement), pp. S17-S18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.06.042
Investigating the feasibility and the optimal location of pulsed ultrasound in surface water treatment schemes
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Pittaway, Pamela A. and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Investigating the feasibility and the optimal location of pulsed ultrasound in surface water treatment schemes." Desalination and Water Treatment. 57 (11), pp. 4769-4787. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.996771
Energy characterisation of ultrasonic systems for industrial processes
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Bowtell, Leslie and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2015. "Energy characterisation of ultrasonic systems for industrial processes." Ultrasonics. 57, pp. 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultras.2014.10.003
Coal seam gas water as a medium to grow Dunalliella tertiolecta microalgae for lipid extraction
Aravinthan, Vasantha and Harrington, Daniel. 2014. "Coal seam gas water as a medium to grow Dunalliella tertiolecta microalgae for lipid extraction ." Desalination and Water Treatment. 52 (4-6), pp. 947-958. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.827295
Nutrient removal of nursery and municipal wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae for lipid extraction
Aravinthan, Vasantha, Story, Nadine and Yusaf, Talal. 2014. "Nutrient removal of nursery and municipal wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae for lipid extraction." Desalination and Water Treatment. 52 (4-6), pp. 727-736. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.826325
Special issue on the Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering—CESE-2012 9–13 September 2012, RACV City Club, Melbourne, Australia
Shon, Ho Kyong, Nghiem, Long Duc, Kim, Suhan, Chiemchaisri, Chart, Aravinthan, Vasanthadevi, Virkutyte, Jurate, Shu, Li and Jegatheesan, Veeriah. 2014. "Special issue on the Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering—CESE-2012 9–13 September 2012, RACV City Club, Melbourne, Australia ." Desalination and Water Treatment. 52 (4-6), p. 555. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.827294
Estimating bio-kinetics for nitrogen source oxidation processes using online measurements in activated sludge
Hoque, M. A. and Aravinthan, V.. 2012. "Estimating bio-kinetics for nitrogen source oxidation processes using online measurements in activated sludge." Journal of Environmental Technology and Construction Engineering. 1 (1), pp. 53-65.
Impact assessment of pumping parameters on groundwater bacterial communities
Shani, Noam, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Rossi, Pierre, Laulan, Guillaume, Ducommun, Pascale and Holliger, Christof. 2013. "Impact assessment of pumping parameters on groundwater bacterial communities." Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation. 33 (2), pp. 31-37. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.2012.01420.x
Development and calibration of bio-kinetic model for surfactant biodegradation with combined respirometric and titrimetric measurements
Aravinthan, V. and Hoque, M. A.. 2011. "Development and calibration of bio-kinetic model for surfactant biodegradation with combined respirometric and titrimetric measurements." Bioresource Technology. 102 (9), pp. 5504-5513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.08.101
What are smart meters? [Fact sheet]
Aravinthan, Vasantha, Ho, Goen, Gray, Julian, Butler, Reid and Connell, Damien. 2012. What are smart meters? [Fact sheet]. Sydney, Australia. Australian Water Association.
What are smart meters?
Aravinthan, Vasantha, Ho, Goen, Gray, Julian, Butler, Reid and Connell, Damien. 2012. "What are smart meters?" Current. 39 (2), pp. 80-84.
Combined titrimetric respirometer as a real-time sensor to monitor the aerobic biodegradation process of different substrates
Hoque, M. A., Aravinthan, V., Pradhan, N. M. and Sakhiya, A.. 2011. "Combined titrimetric respirometer as a real-time sensor to monitor the aerobic biodegradation process of different substrates." Journal of Applied Sciences. 11 (13), pp. 2299-2305. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2011.2299.2305
Investigating the efficiency of thermosonication for controlling biofouling in batch membrane systems
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal and Aravinthan, Vasanthadevi. 2012. "Investigating the efficiency of thermosonication for controlling biofouling in batch membrane systems." Desalination. 286, pp. 349-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.11.049
Design of public health engineering course using multimedia resources for dual mode delivery
Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2010. "Design of public health engineering course using multimedia resources for dual mode delivery." Gardner, Anne and Jolly, Lesley (ed.) 21st Annual Conference for the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2010). Sydney, Australia 05 - 08 Dec 2010 Sydney, Australia.
Investigation of household water consumption using smart metering system
Mead, Nicola and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2009. "Investigation of household water consumption using smart metering system." Jegatheesan, Jega, Shu, Li and Keir, Greg (ed.) 2nd Conference on Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE-2009): Waste Treatment: Challenges and Solutions. Townsville, Queensland 14 - 17 Jul 2009
Investigation of household water consumption using smart metering system
Mead, Nicola and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2009. "Investigation of household water consumption using smart metering system." Desalination and Water Treatment. 11 (1-3), pp. 115-123. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2009.850
Animations as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes in civil engineering courses
Aravinthan, Vasantha and Worden, John. 2010. "Animations as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes in civil engineering courses." Richards, Larry (ed.) 40th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE 2010): Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation. Virginia, United States 27 - 30 Oct 2010 Champaign, IL. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2010.5673337
Modeling urea biodegradation in activated sludge using combined respirometric-titrimetric measurements
Hoque, Muhammad Azizul and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2011. "Modeling urea biodegradation in activated sludge using combined respirometric-titrimetric measurements." Desalination and Water Treatment. 32 (1-3), pp. 115-125. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2011.2686
How effective is microalgae treatment of nursery wastewater for nutrient removal?
Pufelski, N., Aravinthan, V. and Yusaf, T.. 2010. "How effective is microalgae treatment of nursery wastewater for nutrient removal?" Goh, Steven C. and Wang, Hao (ed.) 2010 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2010). Toowoomba, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2010 Toowoomba, Australia.
Microalgae as alternative fuel for compression ignition (CI) Engines
Allwayzy, S. H., Yusaf, T., McCabe, B., Pittaway, P. and Aravinthan, V.. 2010. "Microalgae as alternative fuel for compression ignition (CI) Engines." Goh, Steven C. and Wang, Hao (ed.) 2010 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2010). Toowoomba, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2010 Toowoomba, Australia.
A review of common and alternative methods for disinfection of microorganisms in water
Al-Juboori, Raed, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Yusaf, Talal. 2010. "A review of common and alternative methods for disinfection of microorganisms in water." Goh, Steven C. and Wang, Hao (ed.) 2010 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2010). Toowoomba, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2010 Toowoomba, Australia.
Work in progress - challenges in designing an assessment scheme for a diverse cohort of students
Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2010. "Work in progress - challenges in designing an assessment scheme for a diverse cohort of students." Richards, Larry (ed.) 40th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE 2010): Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation. Washington, United States 27 - 30 Oct 2010 Champaign, IL, United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2010.5673332
Effectiveness of self-assessment quizzes as a learning tool
Aravinthan, Vasantha and Aravinthan, Thiru. 2010. "Effectiveness of self-assessment quizzes as a learning tool." Engineering Education Conference (EE 2010): Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers . Birmingham, United Kingdom 06 - 08 Jul 2010 Birmingham, UK.
Designing an ideal assessment scheme for dual mode delivery
Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2010. "Designing an ideal assessment scheme for dual mode delivery." Engineering Education Conference (EE 2010): Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers . Birmingham, United Kingdom 06 - 08 Jul 2010 Liverpool, UK.
Calibration of biokinetic model for acetate biodegradation using combined respirometric and titrimetric measurements
Hoque, M. A., Aravinthan, V. and Pradhan, N. M.. 2010. "Calibration of biokinetic model for acetate biodegradation using combined respirometric and titrimetric measurements." Bioresource Technology. 101 (5), pp. 1426-1434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.07.012
Can we decode the messages of activated sludge through the respirograms?
Hoque, Muhammad A., Aravinthan, Vasantha and Pradhan, Nishant M.. 2009. "Can we decode the messages of activated sludge through the respirograms?" Water, Air and Soil Pollution: an international journal of environmental pollution. 9 (5/6), pp. 449-459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11267-009-9238-6
Assessment on activated sludge models for acetate biodegradation under aerobic conditions
Hoque, M. A., Aravinthan, V. and Pradhan, N. M.. 2009. "Assessment on activated sludge models for acetate biodegradation under aerobic conditions." Water Science and Technology. 60 (4), pp. 983-994. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2009.446
Evaluation of simultaneous storage and growth model to explain aerobic biodegradation of acetate
Hoque, M. A., Aravinthan, V. and Pradhan, N. M.. 2008. "Evaluation of simultaneous storage and growth model to explain aerobic biodegradation of acetate." ISBT 2008: 1st International Society of BioTechnology Conference. Gangtok, India 28 - 30 Dec 2008 Indore, India.
Respirometric and titrimetric techniques for monitoring aerobic biodegradation of surfactant
Hoque, M. A., Aravinthan, V. and Porter, M.. 2008. "Respirometric and titrimetric techniques for monitoring aerobic biodegradation of surfactant." ISBT 2008: 1st International Society of BioTechnology Conference. Gangtok, India 28 - 30 Dec 2008 Indore, India.
Evaporation, seepage and water quality management in storage dams: a review of research methods
Craig, Ian, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Baillie, Craig Peter, Beswick, Alan, Barnes, Geoff, Bradbury, Ron, Connell, Luke, Cooper, Paul, Fellows, Christopher, Fitzmaurice, Li, Foley, Joseph P., Hancock, Nigel, Lamb, David, Morrison, Pippa, Mossad, Ruth, Misra, R. K., Pittaway, Pam, Prime, Emma, Rees, Steve, ..., Turnbull, David. 2007. "Evaporation, seepage and water quality management in storage dams: a review of research methods." Environmental Health. 7 (3), pp. 84-97.
Reclaimed wastewater as a resource for sustainable water management
Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2005. "Reclaimed wastewater as a resource for sustainable water management." Thorpe, David, Yadav, Umapati, Snook, Chris and Liang, George (ed.) 2005 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2005). Toowoomba, Australia 15 Oct 2005 Toowoomba, Australia.