Greater Western Water (GWW) is known for its innovative approach to water management. A new partnership and pilot program aims to trial new UV technology that could prove very significant for the Australian water treatment industry.
Greater Western Water (GWW) has teamed up with NovoLabs and Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) to conduct a pilot trial of new technology at the Woodend Recycled Water Plant. This collaboration aims to test NovoLabs’ advanced Supercritical UV (SCUV) technology for the first time in Australia, a milestone for water treatment in Victoria.
“Our new technology allows us to treat liquids the global giants can’t,” said Dr. Matthew Sells, CEO of NovoLabs. “Clean water is a global necessity. Our solution aims to prevent waterways being contaminated easier and cheaper.”
NovoLabs’ equipment is designed to be installed at the end of the wastewater treatment process to achieve disinfection, effectively reducing the pathogen load before the water is discharged into the environment.
“Our equipment enables councils and industries to affordably disinfect their wastewater before releasing it into the environment, thus helping to prevent the spread of illness in the community,” Sells said. “This should be the primary goal of any wastewater treatment system.”
Showcasing award-winning technology
NovoLabs recently made headlines by winning three prestigious Hi-Tech Awards in New Zealand for its new globally patented technology. The awards were the Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution, Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product, and Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future. These accolades highlight NovoLabs’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology to create impactful and sustainable solutions.
NovoLabs’ founder and Chief Technology Officer, Professor Andrew Shilton, was thrilled with the company’s recent successes. He is the inventor of the Supercritical UV technology central to NovoLabs’ technology.
“It was a good week for NovoLabs, with some of our team attending the NZ Hi-Tech Awards, where we were honoured to win in the three categories,” Shilton said. “Meanwhile, in Europe, others in our team have been attending our first expo in the European market, which resulted in a deluge of sales agencies requesting our patented UV tech.”
Innovative UV disinfection technology
The SCUV technology addresses long-standing challenges in UV disinfection, particularly for treating low-clarity liquids and wastewater. Legacy UV systems often struggle with liquids with low UV transmittance (UVT). Those legacy systems typically need UVT above 30 per cent to be effective. The SCUV system, however, can treat liquids with UVT as low as one per cent in a single pass, making it a transformative solution for the industry.
Using the unique “top-down” UV-C delivery method and supercritical flow hydraulics, the Patented SCUV system ensures a high UV dose throughout the liquid, enhancing disinfection efficacy. This approach also reduces or eliminates the need for chemical dosing, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits. By avoiding chemical pretreatment, the SCUV system prevents the creation of chemical sludge, facilitating the recycling of valuable nutrients back into the environment.
Strategic partnership with GWW and IWN
The collaboration between NovoLabs, GWW, and IWN highlights their shared commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability. GWW operates the Woodend Recycled Water Plant and is enthusiastic about exploring advanced solutions to improve water treatment efficiency and sustainability.
Intelligent Water Networks is crucial in this partnership by introducing innovative technologies across Victoria. IWN aims to bring practical solutions to the region’s water suppliers, ensuring Victoria remains a leader in water management practices. Through facilitating this pilot trial, IWN demonstrates its dedication to fostering innovation and supporting technologies that offer environmental and operational benefits.
Details of the year-long pilot trial
The pilot trial at Woodend Recycled Water Plant will run for a year, testing the efficacy of NovoLabs’ SCUV technology in real-world conditions. This trial aims to validate the system’s capability to achieve effective disinfection without chemical pretreatment, even with effluents considered untreatable with legacy UV systems. While the SCUV system is already quickly being adopted in New Zealand, success in this trial could lead to broader adoption across various water treatment facilities in Victoria and beyond.
During the trial, NovoLabs’ mobile testing unit will be installed at the plant to demonstrate the SCUV system’s performance. This comparison will focus on key metrics such as pathogen reduction, operational efficiency, and environmental impact. Similar sites in New Zealand have shown that the SCUV system can achieve high log pathogen reductions in low UVT liquids, positioning it as a highly effective solution for challenging water treatment scenarios.
The Woodend site currently discharges into a river. NovoLabs has demonstrated its ability to disinfect wastewater to a swimmable level before it even reaches the river. This ensures a safer, cleaner discharge that significantly benefits the environment and public health.
To maximise the impact of this trial, IWN will run tours of the Woodend site and organise webinars to share insights and progress with the wider water treatment community and industry stakeholders. These initiatives aim to showcase the performance of SCUV technology and foster greater understanding and support for innovative water treatment solutions.
Anticipated outcomes and industry impact
Sells said the successful implementation of NovoLabs’ SCUV technology in this pilot trial could revolutionise the water treatment landscape in Victoria. The SCUV system provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for disinfecting low-clarity liquids, benefiting the environment and water treatment facilities. Reducing reliance on chemicals cuts operational costs and minimises the environmental footprint of water treatment processes.
Additionally, the partnership between NovoLabs, GWW, and IWN is a model for collaborative efforts driving technological advancements and improving public utilities’ operational efficiencies. IWN expects industry stakeholders eager to see how this innovative technology performs will closely monitor the trial as it progresses.
“The upcoming Woodend Recycled Water Plant pilot trial marks a significant milestone for NovoLabs and its partners,” said Sells. “With the potential to transform UV disinfection practices, the SCUV technology is a testament to innovation’s power in addressing complex environmental challenges.
“Greater Western Water and Intelligent Water Networks are to be commended for their forward-thinking approach and willingness to embrace new technologies that promise a more sustainable and efficient future for water treatment in Victoria,” said Shilton. “As the trial unfolds, it will undoubtedly attract attention and set the stage for broader applications of this groundbreaking technology.”
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