Kuypers_T.pdf (759.16 kB)
Download fileNatural clarification of potable water in a semi-arid catchment
conference contribution
posted on 2018-02-12, 15:08 authored by Tabitha Kuypers, Mark P. Taylor, A. MackayThis paper examines the efficacy of the natural clarification system developed for potable water treatment
in the semi-arid Leichhardt River catchment of north-west Queensland, Australia. The system is examined
through its various stages. Sediment and water analyses show progressive improvements to water quality
parameters such as turbidity, colour and heavy metal concentrations to within Australian Drinking Water
Quality Guidelines. Tracked improvements to microbial water quality indicators (faecal coliforms and
enterococcus) before chlorination emphasise the critical role that natural processes and regulated intakes
perform in the protection of the potable water supply. The success of the system over the past 24 years,
combined with its low cost and minimal maintenance has seen the CWL system viewed as a reliable method
for improving water quality that has the potential to be modelled in other water supply catchments.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
- Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)