Unitywater has welcomed Fijian scientists and farmers to the Maleny Wastewater Treatment Plant to share their insights into an innovative nutrient offsetting process that has significantly impacted wastewater treatment locally and could inspire change internationally.
Since 2013, Unitywater has planted and nurtured native forest and wetland vegetation on a former dairy farm adjacent to the Maleny Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Since then, this 13.8-hectare forest and three hectares of wetland have been irrigated with treated effluent, becoming a natural extension of the water treatment process. They soak up residual nutrients and further purify the water before it reaches the Obi Obi Creek.
Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Engagement, Joshua Zugajev, says the team’s work at the Maleny Wastewater Treatment Plant has impacted the local environment and hopes the collaborative visit will see these methods adopted across the industry.
“Our processes at the Maleny Wastewater Treatment Plant are naturally reducing the environmental impact of wastewater treatment. We’ve transformed a former dairy farm into a vital part of our operations and an essential habitat for wildlife,” said Zugajev. “The forest and wetland surrounding our treatment plant is now home to various species, from flying foxes and pythons to goannas, bandicoots, and even a pair of platypuses that have made their way from Obi Obi Creek. Turning a former dairy farm into a thriving ecosystem supporting wildlife and our water treatment processes shows what’s possible when innovative thinking and a deep respect for the environment come together.”
Fiji National University Associate Professor Dr. Shipar Shah says the irrigated forest and wetlands at the Maleny Wastewater Treatment Plant are an excellent example of accommodating population growth while caring for the environment.
“We’re intrigued by how Unitywater has successfully integrated this irrigated forest into the wastewater treatment process in a climate similar to ours in Fiji. It gives us valuable insights into how we can adopt similar practices back home, benefiting our water systems and natural habitat,” said Dr. Shah.
Zugajev said the project demonstrated how collaboration with partners, both locally and internationally, could lead to meaningful change.
“By sharing our knowledge and experiences with the visiting team from Fiji, we’re fostering a relationship that benefits both our communities and the global push towards more sustainable water practices,” he said.
To read more about Unitywater’s plans for environmental sustainability, visit their website at www.unitywater.com/about-us/our-business/sustainability.
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