Research Themes

Discover WETT’s three research themes and how they drive innovation for a sustainable future.

Resilient Water Infrastructure

Sub-themes

Integrated water resource management
Sustainable sewer infrastructure management
Climate change adaptation and risk mitigation
Simulation and modelling

Description

Systems and methods to improve quality, distribution, management practices and environmental impacts for various sources of water. It emphasizes asset management, integrated design, smart technologies, and nature-based solutions to ensure long-term water security and quality for protecting communities, supporting sustainable development, and safeguarding environmental health. This theme covers the research areas of fatberg management and water resource management.

Water and Wastewater treatment and reclamation

Sub-themes	Advanced treatment technologies Energy efficient and low-carbon treatment processes Monitoring and management of conventional and emerging contaminants Water Reuse and recycling strategies Fit-for-purpose and safe water reuse
Description	Treatment technologies and quality monitoring systems for drinking water, industrial wastewater, municipal wastewater, water recycling, desalination, concentrate management and resource recovery augmented by smart sensors (asset monitoring), IoT, remote wireless monitoring and data collection. This theme covers the research areas of water reclamation, water and wastewater treatment and hydrology.

Sustainable circular economy and low-emission resource recovery

Sub-themes	High-value resource recovery Net-zero and climate-positive solutions Water–energy–resource nexus optimisation Advanced biosolids valorisation Next-generation nanocarbon materials
Description	Wastewater-derived biosolids and FOG (fat, oil and grease) waste are being transformed to organic fertilisers and renewable energy using low emission process. These will support a sustainable circular economy and reduce disposal to landfill. This theme covers the research areas of water and energy, resource recovery, and biosolids and biochar.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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