Dr. Phillip Geary, Senior Environmental Lecturer from the University of Newcastle, reveals the current status of domestic wastewater in Australia, including its treatment and disposal. The majority of the population is in urban areas and has access to centralised wastewater collection with off-site treatment. For the other 2 million Australians a suitable on-site system is required. Dr. Geary defines domestic wastewater, refers to the appropriate guidelines, then discusses the common options utilised. The septic tank will always have its place, but in the current climate of reduced land areas and water restrictions, other solutions are explored.
A discussion of the environmental constraints is followed by a look at the extensive techniques available both for wastewater treatment and greywater reuse opportunities. Dr. Geary concludes by identifying the inherent risks and benefits of greywater recycling, providing a useful wastewater reference for design professionals.
At the completion of this seminar you should be able to:
Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental and Life Sciences - University of Newcastle
Dr Phillip Geary is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Newcastle, N.S.W. He holds a Master of Science degree in Hydrology from Newcastle and a PhD from the University of Western Sydney.
Phillip has lectured in Environmental Science at the University of Newcastle since 1990 and is currently Head of the Discipline of Earth Sciences.
Phillip’s research interests include the design and performance of small-scale on-site waste management systems, including constructed wetlands. His specific interests are in the fate of contaminants in soil and groundwater and in human and agricultural waste management. As well as University teaching, Phillip has also been involved in developing teaching material and in running Short Courses also dealing with wastewater treatment and disposal.
