ETC Research: WATER

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.

| Food | Water | Energy | Construction |