What We Did
With new rules and regulations introduced in September 2020 as part of the Government鈥檚 Essential Freshwater package of reforms, water treatment plants will be required to bring their facilities up to standard to meet the more stringent water discharge guidelines. Associate Professor O鈥橲ullivan鈥檚 research focuses on creating ecologically sound design solutions for treating polluted waters.
鈥淲ith M膩ori and iwi, we are developing a valuable project which has the potential to disrupt the water treatment sector 鈥 and most importantly return Te Mana o te Wai to our ecosystems and tangata whenua,鈥 A/Professor O鈥橲ullivan says. 鈥淲e are going to produce the next generation of wastewater treatment media that are 3D-printed to precise specifications and made from biomaterials, including some waste resources鈥. The Science for Technological Innovation (SfTi) Spearhead project, 鈥楥lean Water Technology for restoring Te Mana o te Wai (CWT)鈥, is a nationwide, multi-institutional, three-year project.
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Who Was Involved
The Science for Technological Innovation (SfTi), M膩ori research advisor including Craig Pauling (Ng膩i Tahu, K膩ti Mamoe, Waitaha and Ng膩ti Mutunga) and during the research proposal stage were supported by Troy Brockbank (Te Rarawa, Ng膩ti Hine, Ng膩puhi), who is an urban stormwater engineer/Kaitohutohu Matua Taiao and on the board of Water New Zealand.
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Why It Matters
We all rely on the wellbeing of our water. Rivers and lakes are integral to M膩ori cultural identity especially. Their health and wellbeing is intrinsically connected to the health and wellbeing of wh膩nau, iwi and hap奴. New Zealanders want to swim, fish, gather mahinga kai and enjoy freshwater as our whakapapa did. We also need clean water to drink and irrigation to support a sustainable economy. However, its deterioration, in both the rural and urban landscapes, is a critical and global challenge. This has caused substantial ecosystem decline and ultimately impacts on our food security and mauri (health).
Learn More
- Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions (CELTS):听
- /engineering/schools/cnre/research/osullivan/
