The Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC) at UQ is an international centre of excellence in innovative water science and technology.

The AWMC research team offers vast and complementary expertise with over 35 academic and research staff including three IWA Fellows, and more than 50 research students. AWMC has an outstanding track record of successful research, development, and application projects currently worth almost AU$10 million per annum, many in close collaboration with industry and research collaborators. AWMC partners with over 100 different utilities, industry groups, research institutions, and educational facilities around Australia and the world.

AWMC’s research achieves sustainable outcomes for the water industry through management of greenhouse gas emissions, adding value to waste treatment processes, and understanding how to protect water resources and maintain critical infrastructure.

AWMC key capabilities and expertise includes:

  • Deliver solutions for urban and industrial/agricultural water recycling and wastewater management
  • Process modelling and simulation
  • Design and implementation of water or wastewater treatment processes
  • Sewer corrosion and odour control
  • Analysis of water, wastewater, biosolids and biological samples

A key feature of the Centre’s research is the integration of microbiology into engineering-based research activities, supported by interdisciplinary expertise and innovative facilities. AWMC has excellent and well-equipped laboratory facilities that include several process laboratories, an environmental microbiology lab (PC2 level accreditation) and an Analytical Services Laboratory with a large range of advanced and relevant equipment, overseen by Senior Research Officer Dr Beatrice Keller-Lehmann.

Facilities

2. Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML)

PCR and Molecular Imager FumeThe AWMC Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML), offers a range of services for molecular biology and the culturing of microorganisms. These include facilities for manipulation and fingerprinting of DNA and various forms of enrichment and microbial culture techniques.

PCR and Molecular Imager Fume
Figure 3. PCR and Molecular Imager Fume

Our location at the University of Queensland ensures we have ready access to a range of excellent complementary facilities that include confocal laser scanning microscopy, electron microscopy and flow cytometry. We have strong expertise and experience in molecular characterisation of environmental and industry samples particularly for determining microbial community composition.