The AWQC is in a position to maximise the benefits of research experience into consulting services for its clients. SA Water Corporation, through AWQC, performs internationally respected R&D that provides a significant contribution to improved operational practices, sustainability and new analytical methods for the water industry. The AWQC employs 40 scientists working on areas of research relevant to the water industry and produces in excess of 100 journal papers, conference presentations, technical papers and reports each year. Centre researchers hold three international patents dealing with MIEX® for the treatment of water, an improved method for Legionella detection and DNA detection of toxic blue-green algae.

AWQC routinely undertakes method development to respond to emerging water quality issues and alternative water sources to meet its customers’ needs. The AWQC’s greatest strength is in its ability to respond to the needs of water utilities and their ongoing challenges to produce safe drinking water to cost effective standards. AWQC is able to quickly mobilise and develop new methodologies for various chemical, algal and microbial contaminants to low levels of detection. Examples include new methods for detecting Cryptosporidium, blue-green algae and detection technologies for a variety of chemical contaminants including taste and odour compounds and toxins. Many of these projects employ and develop leading edge technology in fields such as molecular biological identification, nanotechnology, biotechnology and electronics as applied to rapid and on-line monitoring.