Graduate engineers at Greater Western Water (GWW) have successfully delivered improved Class C recycled water using nanobubble technology.
GWW said that it is the first utility in Australia to pilot this technology as part of the wastewater treatment process, a journey that began in 2022 after GWW graduate engineer Samuel Leong proposed a trial to explore the potential of nanobubble technology in wastewater treatment.
Building on this initiative, another GWW graduate Roshi Selvakumar carried the project forward in collaboration with Custom Fluids, to successfully implement the trial in 2024.
Their technical paper, detailing the trial and its outcomes, was awarded second place at a water industry conference – a testament to the quality of their work and its significance within the industry.
GWW General Manager of Strategy and Partnerships, Kessia Thomson, said the project highlights the potential of emerging technologies to improve the quality of recycled water, with the added benefit of being driven by graduates who represent the next generation of industry leaders.
“Led by two graduate engineers, this trial has delivered valuable operational insights while offering early-career professionals the chance to take ownership of a real-world, impact-driven innovation,” Ms Thomson said.
The small-scale trial was conducted at GWW’s Bacchus Marsh Recycled Water Plant and aimed to heighten and maintain the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in one of the site’s operational lagoons. By improving DO levels, the nanobubbles support a more natural process, reducing the need for chemicals and enhancing overall treatment efficiency.
As a result, the trial met its intended aim and produced a much higher quality of Class C recycled water. Class C recycled water is used across agriculture, industry and community spaces for purposes such as irrigation, dust suppression and roadworks.
For GWW, improving water quality not only increases customer confidence but also strengthens environmental outcomes by reducing nutrient discharge, protecting waterways and promoting sustainable resource use.
The next phase of the initiative will involve a follow-up trial exploring the use of additional technology in the lagoon to further improve the quality of recycled water.
