Plants can shed light on how best to clean wastewater

Jul 12, 2023

Industrial and urban wastewater is often a jumbled mixture of contaminated liquid, minerals, metals and nutrients — all valuable resources.

Much of Canada’s wastewater is urban effluent that has been treated and discharged into sewer systems. Industrial wastewater must be managed under federal regulations.

But if the minerals, metals and nutrient resources in wastewater could be extracted in a pure form, they would be invaluable for use in other industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, battery recycling and desalination.

Scientists at the Australian National University drew inspiration from how plants use their specialized molecular separation mechanisms to recognize and separate these resources for their own use. What if those biological mechanisms were adapted to use in new wastewater recycling technologies?

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Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.