History

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Many existing on-site wastewater technologies are not sustainable in their present form. In addition to this they are often installed on unsuitable sites and poorly maintained. There is a potential for pollution and adverse human health impacts from failing on-site wastewater systems.

The CQUniversity trial system was developed to be an environmentally and economically sustainable onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system.

A definite need is apparent for an on-site technology that is sustainable and suitable for all Australian conditions, especially those in environmentally senstitive areas.

With this in mind the project was started by S.W Kele & Co Pty Ltd in 1996. The initial work was based on a combination of innovation and existing Australian, European, and Israeli on-site wastewater treatment and reuse techniques.

An extensive period of trial and error was undertaken from early 1996 till mid 1998 at the first stage of the Rockhampton site. During this research period Professor Midmore from the Plant Science Group of CQUniversity became involved with the project.

Several different ideas and techniques were tested and the results compared. From this preliminary investigation the basis of the trial system was developed. The work led to the second stage of the Rockhampton site which was installed in mid 1998.

At this stage extra funding was sought to expand the trial and the testing regime. CQUniversity placed an application to the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology (AWTT) program sponsored by the Queensland Deaprtment of Local Government and Planning.

In conjunction with this substantial support for the trial was gathered from the Broadsound Shire Council, the Emerald Shire Council, the Livingstone Shire Council and the Rockhampton City Council. In principle support was also gained from the Gladstone City Council, the Fitzroy Shire Council, the Mount Morgan Shire Council, and the Mackay City Council.

Private industry also offered support, with the major contributors being S.W. Kele & Co Pty Ltd, McCrackens's Water Services, and Fitzroy Nurseries Pty Ltd.

CQUniversity and its partners were successful in their AWTT funding application and new trial sites began to be installed from October 1999.

To assist in the trial CQUniversity submitted three other funding applications. Funds were sought from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources Water Recycling Strategy, the National Heritage Trust, and the Clean Coasts and Seas Program. All three applications were successful.

The trial is set to run until the end of the 2001/2002 financial year. The final aim of the trial is to prove that its environmentally and economically sustainble and to gain type certification for the system.