May 2012
Water authorities in Europe are set to learn from the expertise gained at Melton’s state-of-the-art recycled water plant.
Western Water’s Melton Recycled Water Plant Team Leader, Rod Curtis, is the latest recipient of the Kwatye Prize, awarded for innovation by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia.
Mr Curtis’ prize involves a trip to Europe, where he will make a presentation on the Melton Plant to operators at Thames Water in London, the UK’s largest water services provider.
“Believe it or not, London is experiencing a drought at the moment, so they are very keen to increase their use of recycled water,” Mr Curtis says.
“Thames Water is interested in our use of technology, especially our Class A Recycled Water Plant, which is powered by renewable energy from biogas.”
Mr Curtis will also visit Germany, where he will research ultrasonic sewage treatment technology pioneered in that country.
“In Germany they use ultrasonic waves to disintegrate the sewage sludge, which releases more energy,” he says.
“At our plant in Melton this sort of technology would help to increase the amount of energy we can generate from the biogas.”
On his return, Mr Curtis will present a paper to the water industry on his research.
Western Water’s Managing Director, John Wilkinson, says the trip is a great opportunity for sharing technology and information with water authorities across the world.
“Rod’s research will benefit not just Western Water, but the water industry right across Australia.”