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.
The impacts of trade waste contributions to wastewater networks are historically unclear and underrated. For example, there is increasing evidence of elevated point sources of concerning contaminants in wastewater networks, likely attributed to trade waste sites. This project focuses on determining industry sources of concerning contaminants, as well as any industry pollution hotspots. We are also updating wastewater monitoring strategies to streamline trade waste sampling campaigns and investigating factors that might influence any industry trade waste chemistry trends, such as the contaminant removal efficiencies of on-site treatment technology. Finally, we’re seeking out opportunities to explore previously unknown trade waste impacts on wastewater, including in areas such as wastewater-based epidemiology and wastewater treatment plant performance.
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
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
