Research

How can we make water safer? How can we improve the process so that it is more robust? Dr. Basu’s work focuses on the impact of integrated processes in dynamic systems for water and wastewater treatment. Her work examines:

• optimization of bench scale, pilot scale and full-scale systems,
• investigation of alternative disinfection technologies;
• alternative sludge treatments;
• impact of process selection on effluent quality,
• biofiltration
• bioreactor/membrane systems,
• appropriate water treatment for small and remote communities.

Sound interesting? Dr. Basu is always on the look out for strong students interested in Experimental Based Research (Grad Students, 4^th Year Students interested in 4907, and potential NSERC USRA students – please contact Dr. Basu)

Private Companies interested in collaborative research projects in the water and wastewater industry please feel free to contact Dr. Basu. Previous research partners include: Stantec Engineering, Niagara Region, Insyght Engineering, MSFilter, and the Township of Russel.

Activities

• Session Co-Chair Ontario Water Works Association Annual conference – University Research Forum (2013)
• Nominated for Graduate Student Mentor Award (2010)
• Member of the Stakeholders Review Group for the Ministry of the Environment Guidance Manual for Optimization of Sewage Treatment Plants (2009-2010)
• Reviewer of Peer Reviewed Journals: Water Research, Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, and Journal of Environmental Informatics, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, Bioresouce Technology

Selected Journal and Magazine Articles

Nigel P. DeSouza and O.D. Basu (2013). Comparative Analysis of Physical Cleaning Operations for Fouling Control of Hollow Fiber Membranes in Drinking Water Treatment. Journal of Membrane Science 436: 28-35

Hermant, B.M. and O.D. Basu (2013). Comparison of reaction rates and relative efficiencies for various dechlorination chemicals. ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering April 2013: 522-529

O.D. Basu and M. Tran (2010). Peracetic Acid as an alternative wastewater disinfectant. Water Environment Association of Ontario Influents Magazine Fall 2010 Volume 5: 28-31

O.D. Basu and C.M. Gatchene (2009). Peracetic Acid as a disinfection option in wastewater treatment: preliminary trial results. Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine, Sept Edition: 44-46

A.J. MacDonald and O.D. Basu (2008). Influence of polymer selection on nutrient phase separation for waste activated sludge thickening at bench-scale. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada 34(4): 305 – 312

Mosqueda-Jimenze, D.B., P.M. Huck and O.D. Basu (2008). Fouling characteristics of an ultrafiltration membrane used in drinking water treatment. Desalination 230: 79-91.

Basu, O.D. and P.M. Huck (2005). Impact of Support Media in an Integrated Biofilter-Submerged Membrane System. Water Research 39: 4220-4228.

Selected Conference Presentations:

Onita D Basu and Miaoyi Yan (2012). Chemical Disinfection  with PAA and Chlorine – efficacy of micro -constituent removal and formation of disinfection byproducts WEAO Specialty Seminar: Wastewater Disinfection Nov 15, 2012, Milton Ontario

Nigel P De Souza and Onita D. Basu (2011). Comparison of flux step methods for the determination of critical flux of membranes in drinking water treatment. American Water Works Association. Membrane Technology Conference, Long Beach, California March 28-31, 2011

Nigel P De Souza and Onita D. Basu(2011). Critical Flux Analysis of Submerged Membranes in Water Treatment Americana International Environmental Technology Trade Show and Conference, 9^th biennial. Montreal, Quebec, March 22-24, 2011

Onita D Basu (2010). Peracetic Acid for Wastewater Disinfection. British Columbia Water and Wastewater Association (BCWWA) Annual Conference, Whistler, BC May 1-5, 2010.

Shawn Cleary, Onita D Basu, Ravindren Krishnasamy (2010). Evaluation of Modified Slow Sand Filtration in Small and Remote Northern Communities. BCWWA, Whistler, BC May 1-5, 2010

Minh Tran and Onita Basu (2010). Application of Peracetic Acid (PAA) for wastewater treatment WEAO Technical Symposium London, Ontario, April 18 – 20, 2010

Shawn A. Cleary, Onita Basu, Ravindren Krishnasamy, Daniel Kneblewski, and John Snow (2010). Evaluation of Modified Slow Sand Filtration in Small and Remote Northern Communities. Ontario Water Works Association Annual Conference, London, Ontario May 2-5, 2010

Basu, O.D. and C.M Gatchene (2009) Peracetic Acid as an alternative disinfection option in wastewater treatment. Presented at: Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) 3^rd National Conference and Policy Forum on Wastewater Management Sept 10^th -12^th, 2009. Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Basu, O.D. and C.M Gatchene (2009). Odour Control Study – Indicators of Success and Failure. Presented at: CWWA 3^rd National Conference and Policy Forum on Wastewater Management Sept 10^th -12^th, 2009. Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Basu, O.D. and Edward G. Sherwood (2009).  The use of waterworks sludge in concrete production – a pilot study. Presented at: WEAO 5^th Canadian Residuals and Biosolids Conference. Sept 13^th – 15^th, 2009. Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Bhagya N. Weerasinghe and Onita D. Basu (2008). Dechlorination kinetics of municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE). Presented at Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) 37^th Annual Technical Symposium, Blue Mountains, Ontario, May 23-25^th, 2008.