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Groundwater makes up approximately 17% of accessible water resources and accounts for over 30% of our total water consumption. There is a heavy reliance on groundwater by townships, farms and mines across Australia. The makeup of this groundwater, however, varies considerably. Only about 30% of Australia’s groundwater is potable. Salinity is one major factor limiting groundwater use. From brackish to highly saline, groundwater can even be saltier than sea water. Additionally, the presence of high levels of dissolved chemicals and heavy metals within the groundwater indicate treatment is needed to ensure the water is drinkable. As such, water quality testing is critical if groundwater is to be used for anything from irrigation to livestock and human consumption. Testing Common testing includes acidity; which looks for aquatic organisms, turbidity; which measures suspended particulate matter, nitrate, phosphate, pesticides, metals and salinity to name a few. Typical tests includes: pH Temperature Dissolved oxygen Electrical conductivity (EC) Escherichia coli Biological oxygen demand (BOD) Heavy metals Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons (TRH) Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) Faecal Coliforms These tests need to be part of a regular and consistent testing regime that involves time constraints and temperature control. Filtration The methods of filtration and treatment required to ensure the water is suitable for human consumption are dictated by the results of these tests. A number of filtration systems are available and are used depending on the source water and test results. Typically a series of filters are used, progressing from the coarsest to the finest. Groundwater by its nature often requires the finest filters to ensure removal of bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and salts. These include: Ultrafiltration: Filter pore size 0.01 micron Nanofiltration: Filter pore size 0.001 micron Reverse Osmosis: Filter pore size 0.0001 micron There are other types of filtration effective in removing water polluting particulate matter, such as sands, screens and multimedia filters. UV disinfection by ultraviolet irradiation removes most bacteria, whilst chlorine disinfection is effective against harmful bacteria. All of these solutions have their place and can be effective for a variety of applications. Once again it’s important to ensure the correct systems are put in place in relation to both testing and achieving the required water quality output. Challenges In Australia the minimum standard for drinking water is outlined by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Part of the challenge in more remote locations is addressing the cost and availability of power to drive the appropriate water treatment needed. A major issue has been that if a system is energy intensive, you have to have established power infrastructure in place. The Innovative Alternative Advanced technology, coupling renewable power and small-scale water treatment, has removed the reliance on static infrastructure and is changing the way clean drinking water is delivered to communities. One ground breaking option is a containerised, all-in-one, stand-alone powered water treatment plants that can be delivered to virtually any site across the globe. Remote communities with access to groundwater now have alternate options [...]

The earth’s surface is largely covered in water. In fact, 97.5% of all water on earth is accounted for by our oceans and seas, and as you guessed, and as alluded to in the title, this water is not drinkable. By ducking down to the ocean and guzzling seawater, your body ultimately takes in no water at all, with your body fluids actually depleting. This is the result of osmosis. Simply put, the amount of salt in seawater cannot be removed in the same concentration, so more water (urine) needs to leave the body than has been drank, causing dehydration. Muscle cramps, dry mouth, and thirst will be the resulting dissatisfaction you’ll get. With 10% of the world’s population, some 780 million people, without access to clean drinking water, we have time and again looked to the oceans for answers. For thousands of years desalination has been around albeit using rudimentary techniques. The Romans used clay filters to trap salt whilst Greek sailors boiled water to evaporate fresh water away from the salt. Today we have large desalination plants that provide water to thousands of people. Some of the biggest plants constructed to date are located in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. In Australia, Perth was the location of our first serious desalination plant. Commissioned in 2006, the plant provides nearly 20% of the city’s water needs. There are draw backs to Desalination plants however. High capital costs, significant maintenance requirements and a shorter operating life than traditional water treatment plants can make their proposition a little less attractive. The good news, however, is that with the rapid improvements in membrane technology and significant innovation taking place in the water space, the opportunity for desalination is becoming more available – and not just for larger cities, but for remote and isolated communities. Desalination in an off-grid location Part of the challenge in more remote locations is addressing the cost and availability of power to drive what is an energy intensive process. Matching the right renewable and off-grid energy with the right desalination system can provide a solution and bring expenses down. Whether using wind, solar, batteries or a hybrid system, both the ability and costs of developing and running such plants is fast becomes a reality. With industry working more and more with advanced technologies and with innovative approaches, we can solve the problem of clean drinking water for everyone. Saltwater? Yes we can. Technology and Innovation working hand in glove to provide solutions. For more information see our remote area water page. Download PDF version