IWN Program Updates
IWN runs eight programs. Here’s your regular update of what’s happening in each one, along with contact details for the program managers.
Asset Management and Optimisation
We recently completed two trials:
A Modla trial with Goulburn Valley Water (GVW). It involved developing a sewage pump station model, which is able to inform advanced asset analytics. The model provides a base that can be customised to suit other water corporations’ needs cost-effectively
A PumpCheckR 2 trial involving Barwon Water, Goulburn Valley Water, Wannon Water and Western Water to assess whether pumps are operating as expected. More details will be available to our member organisations soon
We are working on a pump optimisation project with Goulburn Valley Water and RMIT, looking at how to optimise performance with minimal data. We are also trialling EnviroSonic’s ultrasound technology to monitor and prevent blue-green algae blooms. We have worked with WaterRA to develop the methodology for this trial, which is being held at a Central Highlands Water reservoir.
Program Manager: Michael Welk
Biosolids and Resource Recovery
One of the main trials this program is working on involves turning biosolids into biochar, as an alternative use for biosolids (which are currently used in farming). IWN is working with RMIT on this project. Lab and semi-pilot trials have been done and we’re excited to move to the next stage - a full pilot trial - at Western Water’s Melton plant very soon.
Other projects in this program include:
An alum sludge PhD project with Barwon Water
A biosolids application season update - sharing learnings and experiences among biosolids practitioners in Victoria
Assessing whether IWN will join Transforming Biosolids (pending a business case)
Program Manager: Aravind Surapaneni
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
One of the main projects in this program is our monthly webinar series, which we began last year during COVID. The series has proven really popular, as we focus on a range of topics and keep the webinars short and engaging, often with outside speakers.
In February our webinar brought US based Genesis Systems to our members’ screens to share work on solving water shortages by producing water from the atmosphere. And in March, the webinar will give our members a chance to learn from South East Water’s digital transformation. Our webinars are recorded, in case you can’t make it. They’re also an opportunity to find out more about something leading edge that interests you - if you have a topic to suggest, please contact our Program Manager below.
Program Manager: Michael Thomas
Data and Analytics
This program is working on three trials at the moment:
Data cleansing at Goulburn Valley Water and Westernport Water. The first part of this trial is complete and the report is being developed. Our member water corporations will each have the opportunity to trial another version of the data cleansing software later in the year
The Smart Sewer Project with Barwon Water and Deakin University is underway, focusing on a Lorne trial collecting data from the sewer network to predict blockages and spills. We have a PhD student working on this
An automated sewer CCTV footage review trial with Blackbook.ai and AWS. So far, 11 of our member water corporations have provided footage for this trial, which aims to use the footage to automatically detect defects
Program Manager: Kevin Hellier
Digital Metering Systems
This program is focusing on two main projects at the moment:
Developing a state wide digital metering business case and economic model, to support Victorian water corps of all sizes to roll out the technology
Finishing a State of Play report to provide a snapshot of digital metering in Victoria as a base to inform decisions and future actions
Program Manager: Jacinta O’Connor
Edge Technology
This program is looking at various leading technologies and how they can support the Victorian water industry:
Augmented reality (AR) headsets - mainly for field work such as sampling, commissioning and auditing. Many of our member water corporations have trialled this technology and found it very useful, especially with site visits restricted during COVID
Using virtual reality (VR) for training - this idea came out of our Hydrovation Challenge and is currently in the planning stage
Looking at the viability of using drones to apply chemicals at wastewater treatment plants to increase accuracy and reduce safety issues
Program Manager: Brock Tunnicliffe
Energy and Carbon
This program is working on an electricity price forecast project on behalf of the Victorian water industry. We are currently drafting a proposal to share with all water corporations to see if they’d like to be involved in a regular - likely bi-annual - forecast to enable more efficient energy use and lower costs.
We are also working on an ammonia based aeration trial at Black Rock wastewater treatment plant. This aims to optimise aeration and reduce energy consumption. The trial will run over the next few months.
In addition, our Energy and Carbon team is collaborating on:
The State of Knowledge on fugitive emissions from wastewater treatment research project with WaterRA, which is securing a university partner to deliver this project
Carbon offsets - there’s a lot going on in this area. We are connecting the dots between our statewide catchment management authority (CMA) carbon sequestrian project and how it can inform water corporations’ work to reach net zero emissions
Hydrogen - we are across a DELWP project that is developing an understanding of what areas will be good for hydrogen production, including the need for recycled water access
Program Manager: Steve Reddington
Pipeline Intelligence
We recently validated the p-CAT technology trial previously run with Western Water, which adopted the technology as a business-as-usual tool. We worked with Rock Solid Group to independently check the technology's findings. It found the same three anomalies that the p-CAT technology found in a Western Water transfer pipeline.
We are also working on:
A satellite sewer study for healthy vegetation, aiming to reduce sewer blockages caused by trees. This trial is almost finished
A leak detection program in the CBD with City West Water using an audio-based technology that ‘hears’ leaks and prioritises them
Program Manager: Kristina Machena