A superbug which eats sewage has been grown from scratch at a plant in Queensland in an Australian first.
The bacteria offer a greener way to treat wastewater and are saving water management company Urban Utilities, half-a-million (Australian) dollars a year.
These unique looking bacteria are called anammox bugs and they thrive on waste water - particularly the type that flushes down your toilet. They don t have x-ray vision or super strength, it s their big appetites that makes them so remarkable, says Michelle Cull from Queensland Urban Utilities.
They eat their way through sewage, getting rid of nitrogen and ammonium, and cleaning it naturally in the process. They are purposefully grown on small plastic discs called carriers which are then moved into sewage tanks.
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A project to deliver recycled water to one of the most popular horse racing tracks in the south east favour the club, especially during drought conditions.
The Kilcoy race club is being backed by Urban Utilities, who have jumped from the barriers to boost the volume of recycled water supplied to the club.
With the drought paying unfavourable odds, Urban Utilities will improve the club’s watering capacity with about 330,000 litres supplied to the club daily.
It takes about 48 Olympic-sized swimming pools to water the track each day.
Urban Utilities spokeswoman Anna Hartley sad it was a “win/win” because the increased water delivery would benefit not just the club, but the community.