Dec 2021

Dematec collaborates in next-generation water treatment project

A new and innovative research project to provide safe drinking water to regional communities in Australia is underway. The project is a collaboration between Dematec Automation, Power and Water, the Northern Territory Government, Water Corporation, The University of Queensland, and Hydro-dis Australia.

There are many challenges in maintaining and improving water quality for the most isolated communities in the country and the development of this new technology is specifically designed with these challenges in mind.

The $2.76 million, three-year project will focus on removing nitrate and heavy metals such as uranium and arsenic. It sets out to achieve this by applying pure electrochemical technology using oxidation and reduction reactions. While existing conventional water treatment technologies can remove nitrate and heavy metals from contaminated groundwater to a certain extent, they have limitations including low efficiency, high chemical demands, and significant waste streams. These factors create considerable operational costs, particularly in these regional settings, and have therefore only limited practical applications in such situations.

Dematec will provide the project’s electrical and control system expertise, enabling the remote monitoring, control, and optimisation of the prototype water treatment units by the project stakeholders.

“We are excited to be able to deploy our expertise and enabling technology to support this unique research and development project that has the potential to provide significant benefit to regional communities,” said David Hart, Dematec Director.

Image provided by Power and Water Corporation.