News article
For Science Week, we’re celebrating cannibalistic bacteria with a passion for poo
10 August 2023
Of all the high tech, scientific equipment used across our network, our most magical technology just might be the smallest. Yes, we're talking about bacteria.
With National Science Week starting today, we're celebrating the army of tiny bugs that we strive to keep happy. In exchange, we only ask them to happily eat poo. Together, we achieve something amazing.
At Greater Western Water's treatment plants, millions of litres of waste are processed each day thanks to these tiny organisms. Our Altona Treatment Plant uses a system called activated sludge, where the bacteria feast on waste (yes, human poo), converting it into a sustainable by-product while removing toxins from the water. This innovative process ensures safe, Class B recycled water for various purposes including agricultural use and irrigation of public green spaces.
Keeping the bacteria happy is crucial to the process. A team of engineers, including Process Engineer Josh Mah, meticulously test and monitor the ecosystem, keeping the bacteria happy to sustainably process the waste of 20,000 residents.
"For some people it's out of sight, out of mind but for those of us committed to this industry, its fulfilling being at the centre of evolving technology in this space," says Josh.
The Altona Treatment Plant hosts a diverse community of bacteria, each with its own role to play.
Rotifers contribute to the removal of murkiness in the treated wastewater by ingesting and removing inactive bacteria. They are between four-hundredths of a millimetre, to half a millimetre in length. About the size of the full stop at the end of this sentence.
A computer-generated picture of a microscopic tardigrade.
Tardigrades, aka 'Water Bears' are named for their bear-like gait and said to be the most resilient animal in the universe. There are over 1000 different species, varying in length from 0.1 to 1.5 mm. In wastewater, tardigrades may prey on bacteria, plant matter or algae. They can be carnivorous and even cannibalistic.
More than two billion litres of treated effluent from Altona Treatment Plant are saved from outfall discharge to produce fit-for-purpose recycled water for commercial and industrial supply, including manufacturing and local councils for irrigation and urban streetscapes.
Greater Western Water is dedicated to sustainability, investing in innovative energy solutions to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Innovations such as incorporating UV light disinfection into the wastewater treatment process and converting biosolids into biochar (with potential use for agriculture) are steps toward achieving these goals.
So next time you're about to flush and forget, spare a thought for your microscopic mates doing you a solid.