Investigation of techniques to better manage Western Australia’s non-potable water resources

[摘要] A research project 'Investigation of Techniques to Better Manage Western Australia’s Non-Potable Water Resources', was established by the WA Water Foundation, WA Water Corporation and the CSIRO National Research Flagship Water for a Healthy Country, and jointly funded and conducted as a collaborative research by the WA Water Corporation, CSIRO Land and Water and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystem over a three-year period (2005–2008). The main project objective was to investigate options for urban water management in a catchment affected by shallow groundwater. This objective was executed through four complementary investigations:1.A regional-scale investigation to assess the catchment-wide impact of urbanisation on quality and quantity of urban drainage, groundwater and local water resources available for non-potable water supply.2.An investigation of materials which could be applied for the effective removal of nutrients in urban drainage, thus controlling nutrient export to receiving water bodies (conservation wetlands, estuaries) and accordingly reducing the risk of eutrophication and associated mitigation costs. 3.A trial of the use of groundwater at a precinct scale to develop a ‘fit-for-purpose’ water supply philosophy, thus reducing dependency on the centralised water supply. 4.An investigation of the public perception of alternative water management options, ensuring environmentally safe and community supported alternatives to current water supply practice.Most investigations were undertaken in the Southern River catchment – one of the most rapidly developing regions in the Perth metropolitan area, where urban expansion is challenged by a number of environmental issues. These issues include shallow groundwater levels, high nutrient concentrations in surface- and ground-waters, seasonal inundation, preservation of conservation wetlands, and proximity to both a drinking water supply mound and the Swan-Canning Estuary. These complex environmental conditions characterise the catchment as sensitive to alteration in land and water management. The non-potable water supply scheme investigation was undertaken in Brighton, while the materials for in-situ water quality control Best Management Practices (BMPs) were tested under laboratory conditions in CSIRO and also tested in the Mills Street Main Drain catchment.

[发布日期] 2009-12-16 [发布机构] CSIRO

[学科分类] 地球科学(综合)