Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Associate Professor Phillip Geary

• 1972 B.Sc. (Newcastle)
• 1973 Dip.Ed. (Newcastle)
• 1978 M.Sc. (Newcastle)
• 2004 PhD (UWS)

• Environmental impacts associated with the on-site treatment and disposal of domestic and agricultural wastewaters, and stormwaters.
• Movement and fate of contaminants in soils and groundwaters
• Performance of small-scale treatment systems such as sand filters and constructed wetland systems
• Effluent transport through vadose zone and tracer applications
• Microbial/pathogen source tracking in catchments

A wide range of bodies have provided support for research. Research funding has been obtained over the last 15 years from:

• The Australian Research Council (Linkage and Small Grants)
  • #LP0214978 - The Sustainable Effluent Irrigated Plantations Project - Effects of Effluent Irrigation on Soil Sodicity and Groundwater Quality (project partner Hunter Water Corporation).
  • #LP0348754 - The Characterisation of Wastewater Decision Support Systems for Pathogenic Risk Analysis in Water Catchments (project partners MidCoast Water, Hunter Water, DPWS, DIPNR and four NSW North Coast Councils)
• The Australian Dairy Research & Development Corporation
• NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation
• NSW Department of Local Government
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
• The Hunter Catchment Management Trust
• Hunter Water Corporation
• Hunter Public Health Unit
• Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Trust
• Various Local Government Councils

Funding has been used to assist with research on designated projects in specific areas and to support graduate research students.

Principally involved in undergraduate teaching in the Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management Program in the School of Environmental & Life Sciences. Responsible for various undergraduate courses and the supervision of graduate research students.

Development of and participation in Short Training Courses for Environmental Health Professionals, Consultants and Local Authority employees (in association with the Centre for Environmental Training). Approximately 50 short courses on On-Site Domestic Wastewater Disposal delivered throughout Australia and New Zealand over the last 12 years.

Phillip has lectured in Environmental Science since 1990 and is involved in research into small-scale wastewater treatment technologies and the movement of chemical and microbial pollutants in the environment. Phillip has also worked in the fields of water resources management and pollution control for a number of State agencies and in environmental management in the private sector.