eFlash #483

eFlash #483

eFlash #483
Date: 13-May-2021

In this edition: Biosolids Workshop – Recordings Now Available| Charters Towers Conference – Call for Papers| qldwater Annual Forum and Automated Metering Workshop 2021 – Save the Date| qldwater Newsletter Edition 30 – Now Available| Position Available – Tablelands Regional Council| Did you know?

1. Biosolids Workshop – Recordings Now Available

On 22 April 2021, qldwater convened two workshops dealing with contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). The first focused on treatment of biosolids to deal with CEC while the second, co-convened with the Department of Environment and Science (DES) examined the measurement of PFAS in biosolids to inform compliance with the End of Waste Code. Recordings of the workshops are available below.

Session 1: Understanding existing water sector activities in biosolids treatment and future opportunities.

Topics included:

  • Treating Biosolids in Northern Queensland (JCU)
  • Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource (ARC Centre)
  • Biosolids Gasification (Logan)
  • Options for Water Utilities (SE Water)
  • Biochar technology (RMIT)
  • Anaerobic Digestion and Thermal Treatment (UQ)
  • Modular Thermal Treatment (IQEnergy)
  • qCRAC Update (qldwater)

Session 2: Guidance on PFAS analysis for End of Waste Code.

Speakers / Topics included:

  • End of Waste Code (DES)
  • Estimation of PFAS in biosolids (UU)
  • Practical and operational considerations (Townsville, Unitywater, Arkwood, Gold Coast)
  • CRC CARE
  • National Chemical Working Group update & QLD compliance issues (DES) followed by discussion on preferred analysis techniques and development of guidance on methodology and data requirements for EOW Code.

If you would like to view these records, they are located on our website here.

2. Charters Towers Conference 21-22 July – Call for Papers

Coming up soon is our Charters Towers Regional Conference being held in Charters Towers on 21st and 22nd July, hosted by Charters Towers Regional Council.

The theme for the event will be focused on the ‘Water Quality Challenges in Northern Queensland’.

Have you learnt something new that you would like to share? Or partnered with an external business who you could co-present with? We want to know! The call is now open for presentations to fill 20-25 minutes slots.

This event will be run in a hybrid format however we hope to get as many people as possible to attend in person. There will be a meeting for NQ alliance participants in the morning of the 21st.


Presentations from qldwater members or organisations able to co-present with members will always be prioritised. We aim to make the process as easy as possible: you will need to provide us with a brief outline now and a PowerPoint a couple of days before the event. Please forward your ideas to dcameron@qldwater.com.au.

Early bird registrations will be complimentary again for qldwater members, with a dinner planned on the evening of the 21st.


 Thank you to our confirmed sponsors - GanDen our dinner sponsor dinner, Royce Water Technologies, Aquatec Maxcon and Aqualyng our Gold Sponsors and Taggle our Silver Sponsor.

Please contact Naomi (ncarragher@qldwater.com.au) if you are interested in sponsoring this event..

3. qldwater Annual Forum and Automated Metering Workshop 2021 – Save the Date

Mark your calendars everyone, the planning for this year’s Annual Forum is underway and we are excited to share with you some key details about the upcoming September event, hosted by Redland City Council.

7 September – Automated Metering workshop to be held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel. The planning is well advanced and we expect to be publishing a draft program in the next few weeks – it will be a great opportunity to share experiences in automated metering and our increasingly digital operating environment, as well as the chance to connect with industry experts and vendors. 

8 September – Straddie Tour! A day on North Stradbroke Island visiting the Point Lookout STP and other fun activities including the Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, followed by a dinner in the evening at the Alexandra Hills Hotel.

9 September – workshop day at the Hotel focussed on industry strategy (building on the highly successful 2019 event) and asset management themes.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Annual Forum, please contact ncarragher@qldwater.com.au. All qldwater events aim to be as cost-effective as possible and your support helps us keep registration fees low. This forum typically attracts around 100 people from over 30 service providers and other government and private stakeholders state-wide.

This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers across the state. We hope to see you there!

4. qldwater Newsletter Edition 30 – Now Available

The latest edition of the Queensland Water Newsletter is now available.

 The deluge of rain that has fallen over large parts of Queensland over recent weeks will no doubt temporarily shift the focus away from drought in many regions for a little while but we all know it never really goes away.

Other parts of Queensland also missed out on the prolonged rain event and many Councils have water restrictions in place as we head into the drier months of the year over autumn and winter.

The feature article in this edition focuses on demand management with some examples of successful programs in Queensland.

We are also looking forward to the return of the Best of the West Water Taste Test in Barcaldine, where Longreach, Boulia, Barcaldine, Barcoo and Diamantina will battle it out to win the last of our historic Lego Water Treatment Plants – a highly coveted prize!

 Any feedback, comments or suggestions for future articles are always welcome.

5. Position Available – Tablelands Regional Council

Tablelands Regional Council is looking for a Team Leader for Reticulation Operations.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the supervision of the day to day operations of water & wastewater reticulation activities as per the prescribed objectives and responsibilities.

 It will be necessary for this position to coordinate with water treatment operations staff to ensure seamless supply of water and wastewater operations.

Applications close 5pm Thursday 20th May 2021.

Please refer to the Tablelands Regional Council website for further information or to apply.

6. Did you know?

A summary of the urban water industry KPI data that is sent to the Queensland Government each year is for available for qldwater members to view for each Queensland Water Service Provider, accessible through the following link.

https://qldwater.com.au/benchmarking

The Power BI dashboard has been recently updated, and can be used to view available data for a selection of indicators from 2015-2020.

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