Sustainable wastewater management in South Australia

Abstract

Inadequate wastewater management is a major source of water pollution, which poses a threat to human health, as well as to the natural environment. Thus, reducing wastewater is a major task in many countries. Sustainable wastewater management refers to a systematic solution that effectively manages the wastewater from different communities. Most countries establish wastewater discharge regulation, efficiency measures in wastewater treatment, green campaigns within the community, as well as other sustainable strategies. The aim of this research project was to investigate the current issues of wastewater and water management in South Australia, and to suggest strategies to improve the sustainability of wastewater management. We interviewed wastewater and water-management professionals, government authorities and residents, and found that the Australian government should adopt the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)’s climate change statement policy; this will achieve mitigation and adaptation to climate change, for better water-management outcomes. The methods for improving sustainable water uses in Australia involve developing more sustainable desalination plants and changing buildings’ water plumbing system. Using appropriate technological innovations, policy instruments, and the sustainable reuse of wastewater, will create a solution for the Murray River, Northern Spencer Gulf and Metropolitan Coastal Waters of Adelaide. Future trends of wastewater development will mainly focus on the reuse of wastewater for non-potable purposes, reducing treated wastewater discharges to the natural environment, and embracing new technologies more systematically in the wastewater sewer system.