The ETCs research
and technology program includes projects in the areas of water, food,
energy, and material resources (including building and
construction). The emphasis of the ETCs work is the interactions between
these areas.
Water is a critical
and, especially in Australia, a limited resource. The natural water
cycle has been greatly affected by mans activities
resulting in erosion, deteriorating water quality, salinity, and falling
water tables.
The ETC has a number
of technologies which fall under the categories of Water Supply, Water
Reduction or Water Recycling and Reuse technologies.
Water Supply technologies include solar and wind powered bores and
rainwater tanks to capture water run-off from buildings. Dripline irrigation
is
also utilised to reduce water wasteage when irrigating.
Classification
of water technologies is often difficult, for example:
Water Reduction technologies include the use of dry composting toilets
to reduce water use for sanitation and choosing plant species which
require less water.
Water Recycling
and Reuse technologies include greywater recycling and wet composting
toilets with purifying reed filter beds.
Moreover the ETC
also works to incorporate water features as a landscape design technology
to store water, modify micro-climates and improve plant
and human productivity.
