Evaluating the impacts of trade waste contributions to wastewater networks for a preventative approach to contamination

Trade waste is water-borne waste from business, trade or manufacturing premises, other than waste that is a prohibited substance, human waste or stormwater. Its composition varies by industry, but can include organic matter, heavy metals, synthetic chemicals and more. The concentrated and complicated nature of trade waste poses risks to wastewater utilities, who must manage trade waste to protect their infrastructure, people and the environment.

Wastewater utilities face increasing pressure to manage concerning contaminants without significant upgrades to treatment systems, which are often costly and logistically challenging. This research aims to support source control approaches by identifying industry sources of contaminants, exploring the logistics of large-scale trade waste monitoring, analytical burdens and information sharing, as well as contributing case studies of previously unknown impacts of trade waste on wastewater systems. Developing more targeted and proactive source control and monitoring methods will be vital to achieve a preventative approach to environmental pollution, minimising the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and improving the sustainability of wastewater management.

Conference Abstracts

Keane, C.A. Linking CECs to Trade Waste Sources: A Systematic Approach to Source Control in Wastewater Networks, Australian Water Association Ozwater Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 30 April - 2 May 2024.

Keane, C.A. Investigating the effects of antibiotics on WWTP biological treatment, Water Services Association Australia Wastewater Source Management Network Meeting, Launceston, Australia, 24 October 2024.

Keane, C.A. Investigating the effects of antibiotics on WWTP biological treatment, Australian Water Association Q’Water Conference, Sunshine Coast, Australia, 31 October - 1 November 2024.

Keane, C.A., Balasuriya, T. Biological treatment shock events at a municipal resource recovery centre, International Water Association Nutrient Removal and Recovery Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 17-21 November 2024. 

Research Outputs

Keane, C.A., Verhagen, R., Mueller, J.F., O’Brien, J.W., Shiels, R. and Li, J., 2026. Chemical profiling of industry wastewaters to identify industry sources of contaminants. Water Research, p.125575.

Keane, C.A., Li, J., Li, J., Mueller, J.F., O'Brien, J.W. and Verhagen, R., 2025. High levels of antibiotics released by a pharmaceutical manufacturer negatively impacted wastewater treatment plant performance. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology.

Awards

• 2024 School of Pharmacy/Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Three Minute Thesis Competition: Runner Up.
• 2024 Australian Water Association Q'Water Conference Best Paper Finalist