Our Facility
The Smart Water Research Centre based at Griffith University, Gold Coast campus is comprised of research laboratories and equipment to support a world-class water research team, co-located with a state-of-the art commercial analytical laboratory operating under NATA accreditation. This enables Smart Water Research Centre to provide a practical testing ground for solutions to the full spectrum of water supply challenges confronting the water industry. In particular, it offers validation of new techniques and technology under quality control conditions.
Significant advantages of the research facility location are:
- Proximity to other scientific and research endeavours taking place on Griffith University's Gold Coast campus as well as the proposed new teaching hospital;
- Access to Gold Coast's existing water supply infrastructure and tourism industries which fuel the need for research-based sustainable solutions;
- Proximity to state-of-the art residential developments that focus on water conservation and re-use practices encompassing urban water sensitive design.
Specific and unique laboratory features and equipment will assist in attracting world-class researchers and support leading edge research achievements in water management, technology and sustainability. Some of the key features providing a platform for excellence in water research include:
- Flow through aquatic animal husbandry system allowing for in vitro direct toxicity testing to unequivocally determine the health effects of water contaminants;
- Purpose-built genetic preparation and analysis laboratories equipped with the latest DNA technologies for rapid analysis of actual pathogens in water;
- Enabling building features piping three sources of water into the building for direct testing, monitoring and manipulation. These pipelines are exposed in the laboratories to allow online testing, validation of technologies and treatment systems as well as direct biofilm studies. The opportunity to focus on improved decentralised water treatment;
- Rainwater tank test site specifically designed to evaluate and validate building materials, tank design, treatment and water quality testing systems. Rainwater can also be piped through the laboratory test pipeline.
