Reports
Keep up to date on Industry Reports and Bulletins
All themes
Summary of all project outcomes and key impacts:
2025
ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource, July 2025. Industry Report 2020-2025
Theme 1 Improving technologies
Project 1A: Novel biosolids processing routes for next generation high quality products.
Project 1B: Enhancing resource recovery through thermal and hydrothermal processing.
2025
STILL UNDER REVIEW – 2025
S Patel, G Veluswarmy, K Nahar, S Tait, K Shah, D Batstone: June 2025. Biosolids Transformation Technology Assessment: A Systematic Approach Involving Selection Criteria and Benchmarking based Analysis (Project 1B)
Project 1C: The impact of microbial ecology on operation of biosolids treatment trains.
2024
Krohn, C., 2024. How the weird and wonderful microbes in wastewater can make our cities more sustainable. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-the-weird-and-wonderful-microbes-in-wastewater-can-make-our-cities-more-sustainable-220850
2025
C.Krohn, M.K.D.Dueholm, D.J.Batstone, A.S Ball. Summary of microbial diversity in Australian anaerobic digesters – from the global MiDAS database of microbes in anaerobic digesters.
C.Krohn, A.S.Ball, D.J.Batstone 2025. Progress report: Results from a sequencing trial and recommendations for project delivery. Development of a digester-health test using DNA sequencing technology.
Project 11: Upcycling of biosolids into biochar as a win-win-win for environment, economy and community
2024
The following five (5) project reports are available via the WaterRA member’s link. See HERE
1. Report_Project_2073_Final report_WP1:
- G.Veluswamy, S.Patel, M.Hedayatimarzbali, A.Sharma, K.Shah. Establishing a missing link between thermal technologies, transformed products, and market applications for biosolids transformation.
2. Report_Project_2073_Final report_WP2:
- G. Veluswamy, K. Shah. Regulatory landscape for thermal treatment of biosolids in Victoria and New South Wales.
3. Report_Project_2073_Final report_WP3:
- G Veluswamy, S.Patel, A.Sharma, K.Shah. Selection criteria, standard trial framework and testing protocol for assessing different thermal technologies.
4. Report_Project_2073_Final report_WP4:
- G Veluswamy, S.Patel, K.Shah. Biosolids Transformation and Technology Assessment based on Selection Criteria (BTTAS-SC tool).
5. Report_Project_2073_Final report_WP5:
- G.Veluswamy, A.Vuppaladadiyam, K.Shah. Opportunities, challenges, and solutions during the co-processing of different feedstocks along with biosolids during thermal treatment.
Theme 2 Enhancing Product Applications
Project 2A: Creating a market for biosolids by blending with other waste streams to produce a range of high value tailored fertilisers.
AND
Project 2B: Blending biosolids with other waste streams to optimise nutrient ratios and restore and stabilise carbon in Australian cropping soils.
2023
Tom Wagner. 2023. Report 1 – Assessing pH and EC compatibility of alternative waste derived compost blended with carbon based products to meet Australian Standard for Potting mixes AS-3743-2003 – dated 05/12/2023
2024
Kayla Dermawan. 2024. Report 2 –Assessing pH and EC compatibility and dry shoot biomass of different waste streams for potting media with the Australian Standard for Potting mixes AS-3743-2003– dated 20/06/2024
Project 2C: Future direction of biosolids.
2025
I.G.Hakeem, A.K.Vuppaladadiyam, M.H.Marzbali, R.Kaur & K.Shah. May 2025. Future Directions of Biosolids. Developing non-agricultural applications for biosolids transformed products (Project 2C)
Theme 3 Ensuring Sustainability
Project 3A: Linking Stability, Odour and Production route.
2025
J.E. Hayes, R.M. Fisher, M. Kearnes, & R.M. Stuetz, May 2025. Enhancing complaint processes – Making the most out of complaint databases Report 1 of 3 from Project 3A: Linking Stability, Odour, and Production Route
J.E. Hayes, R.M. Fisher, M. Assal, M. Kearnes, & R.M.Stuetz, May 2025. Mapping biosolids management – Identifying the roles of non-community stakeholders Report 2 of 3 from Project 3A: Linking Stability, Odour, and Production Route
J.E. Hayes, L. Liu, T.N. Guerrero, A. Pfeifle, L.X. Coggins, R.M. Fisher, A. Ghadouani†, & R.M. Stuetz. May 2025. Identification of biosolids odour qualities – Impacts of measurement, microbial ecology, and unit processes on biosolids odour Report 3 of 3 from Project 3A: Linking Stability, Odour, and Production Route
Project 3B: The role of Biosolids Management in preserving Earth’s resilience.
2025
S Aryampa, J Luo, R Fisher, T Wiedmann, R Stuetz: 2025. Nutrient recovery from wastewater and biosolids in Australia. Potential, challenges and way forward.
J Luo, S Aryampa, R Fisher, T Wiedmann, R Stuetz 2025. Life cycle assessment of biosolids processing systems. Investigating variation and a best practice guide
J Luo, S Aryampa, R Fisher, T Wiedmann, R Stuetz 2025. Life cycle assessment of biosolids processing systems: harmonised literature results and Australian-specific modelling
Project 3C: Development of a risk-based framework for biosolids quality management.
STILL UNDER REVIEW 2026
M.Braine, M.Kearnes, R.Fisher, R.Stuetz, D.O’Carroll, S.Khan, December 2025. “Biosolids Risk Management Framework. Subject Immersion: Assessments and Data Collection for a Risk Management Framework.
Project 3D: Stakeholder engagement and acceptance.
2025
P. Bonney, M Kearnes, L Rickards, J Hayes, C Rollins, M Burton. February 2025 Biosolids and the Public: Rethinking Community Engagement in a Time of Change ISBN-13: 978-0-646-70351-0
J.E. Hayes, R.M. Fisher, M. Kearnes, R.M. Stuetz., Liu, L., Guerrero, T.N., Pfeifle, A., Bonney, P., Rickards, L., Rollins, C. & Burton, M. June 2025. Community engagement platforming – Translating lessons learnt into on-the-ground strategies