University of Queensland projects investigating the impact of common bathroom products on antibiotic resistance and reducing the use of chemicals in urban water systems have won industry research awards.
The two prizes were presented at the annual Queensland Gala Dinner and Awards Night.
宅男导航 Advanced Water Management Centre Director Professor Zhiguo Yuan said the 2019 Research Innovation Award recognised a project that would deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to urban water utilities.
“We have been investigating the use of iron chloride to replace alum, the most commonly used coagulant, in water treatment,” Professor Yuan said.
“The same iron is also used for corrosion and odour control in sewers and to remove phosphorus in wastewater treatment reactors, as well as hydrogen sulphide removal from biogas in an anaerobic digester.
“This reduces the amount of chemicals required in managing urban water systems.”
The 2019 Student Water Prize was awarded to PhD student Ji Lu for his work on unravelling the roles of emerging environmental contaminants in promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance has become a major threat to public health globally with
“Wastewater from residential areas has shown high levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria compared to medical facilities where you would expect large antibiotic concentrations,” Mr Lu said.
“We then wondered whether non-antibiotic, antimicrobial chemicals such as triclosan – a common ingredient in toothpaste and hand wash - can directly induce antibiotic resistance.”
Professor Yuan said the centre collaborated closely with industry partners, including Queensland Urban Utilities, South East Water, DC Water, Public Utilities Board of Singapore and Water Research Australia, ensuring the relevance and impact of research outcomes.
“These awards belong to both the Centre and its partners,” Professor Yuan said.
“宅男导航 has won a number of Queensland water awards over the years, but this is the first time winning the Student Water Prize, which aims to encourage and reward students for excellence in water-related studies and research.
“Training the next generation of research leaders and industry innovators is a core business for the AWMC, so it is particularly pleasing that 宅男导航 has won the student prize for the first time.”
All winners are now in the running for the National Water Awards which will be announced in May 2020 in Adelaide.
Photo right: AWA QLD President Justin Simonis (left) and the MULFE project team (l-r) Dr Keshab Sharma (宅男导航) Dr Eloise Larsen(宅男导航), Mario Rebosura Jr (宅男导航 PhD Student), Nonso Okafor (Seqwater), Paul McPhee (Queensland Urban Utilities) and Sirajus Salehin (宅男导航 PhD Student).
Media: Sharon James, s.james@awmc.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 7205.
