CPWS Gets a New Building, and Launches the KEWT System
Published on 11 October, 2009
The University’s Centre for Plant and Water Science (CPWS) achieved a long-held goal with the opening of a new building, and the official launch of the Kele Effluent Water Treatment (KEWT) project.
Prior to officially opening the new research building,
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Bowman praised the work of the CPWS
saying, “It’s great work that the Centre is doing, and it really fits with what
the University is doing on engagement. All of the Centre’s projects are really
about engaging with the communities, and looking at the issues and challenges
facing our communities, and working to solve those.”... 
CPWS Latest Addition
Professor Bowman reminded guests that the Centre had achieved much over many years, and contributes approximately $1M per year in funding, and that figure is expected to continue to grow. The Centre has graduated 44 students, Masters and PhDs, and it attracts many post-Doctoral Fellows. “It really is a very active Centre, spread over most of the University’s campuses, and notably including the smallest, Emerald.”
The CPWS was established in 1992, in an ex-CSIRO demountable, later moving to the revamped building 7. A name change in 2007 coincided with the demountable being removed to a property in the Mt Chalmers area. Funding difficulties delayed the eventual establishment of the latest structure.
The event was also significant for the launch of the Kele
Effluent Water Treatment system. Water which has been used onsite has been stored
in a sump nearby, and will be the first challenge for the KEWT system,
although a much bigger challenge will
come when the system is implemented on the Woodford Folk Festival site. Construction
of the infrastructure is nearing completion,
and when up and running, the KEWT system will process 850,000 litres of
effluent water per day. The water will be utilised in growing plants on the
site... 
Vice-Chancellor Plants the Wollemi Pine
Professor Bowman lent a hand to assist the Centre’s Director, Professor David Midmore to plant two trees, one of which is a relative of the very famous Wollemi (pron: Wolla-My) Pine.