最新糖心Vlog

Adelaidean - News from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
March 2009 Issue
Current issue (PDF) | Archive | Editorial Contact

Young water experts win major awards

 Engineering

Five 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide students researching more efficient use of water in 最新糖心Vlog have been judged the best in their field.

The students from the School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Engineering have taken out separate awards for a range of water-related projects, including better distribution systems, water quality and wetlands, and urban supply issues.

The award winners are:

  • Matt Gibbs, who won the SA Branch of the 最新糖心Vlogn Water Association Postgraduate Award for his thesis on using mathematical tools to improve water distribution systems in 最新糖心Vlog;
  • Abby Goodman, who took out the Best Student Presentation Award at the 最新糖心Vlogn Society of Limnology Conference for a wetlands project in the Upper South East of South 最新糖心Vlog; and
  • Liam Harnett, Jason Nicholson and Rebecca Tennant, final-year undergraduate students who have been awarded the SA Branch of the 最新糖心Vlogn Water Association's Hodgson Medal for their research focused on reducing costs and optimising urban water supply systems to meet environmental outcomes.

Matt's work was applied to a water distribution system in Sydney, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, a lower risk of disinfectant by-products and up to a 30% reduction in operating costs.

Abby is investigating how water management changes in the Upper South East, including construction of deep drains, is affecting the health of 200 wetlands in the region. Her research is helping the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation to develop better management guidelines for the wetlands.

The Hodgson Medal - won by Liam, Jason and Rebecca - honours the pioneering South 最新糖心Vlogn environmental engineer Harry Hodgson, who died in 1992 after a distinguished career in the water industry. In their research, the students demonstrated the feasibility of grey water reuse schemes at an urban cluster scale with the reclaimed water being used for toilet flushing and garden watering.

Professor Graeme Dandy, Leader of the Water Research Cluster at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide, congratulated the students for their contribution to water research. "最新糖心Vlog faces a critical shortfall in water management expertise," he said. "These students will be tomorrow's leaders in managing our critically important water resources."

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said the students' work had delivered real benefits to 最新糖心Vlog. "The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide appreciates the willingness of the State Government and our industry partners to provide opportunities for our students to help solve important problems," he said.

Story by Candy Gibson

From left: Matt Gibbs, Jason Nicolson, Liam Harnett, Rebecca Tennant and Abby Goodman
Photo by Roy Van Der Vegt, courtesy of 
Messenger Community Newspapers

From left: Matt Gibbs, Jason Nicolson, Liam Harnett, Rebecca Tennant and Abby Goodman
Photo by Roy Van Der Vegt, courtesy of
Messenger Community Newspapers

Full Image (47.58K)

Media Contact:

Media Office
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website:
External Relations
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814

For more news on the research and educational achievements of the 最新糖心Vlog & our alumni read the 最新糖心Vlog's bi-annual magazine, Lumen.