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Our History

 

Atura staff have extensive experience in:

 

  • risk assessment and management (Since 2001)

  • consulting to industry, agriculture, water industry and government bodies (Since 1996)

  • scientific research and writing (Since 1996)

Our Director

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Dr Daryl Stevens

(PhD, B. App Sci., Hons.)

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Dr Stevens has worked extensively (2005-2010) for the National Environmental Protection Council as Coordinator and Scientific Services for the Environmental Risk component of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (Phase 1 - Sewage Water and Greywater and Phase 2 - Stormwater and Managed Aquifer Recharge). During the last seven years, he has also consulted extensively in developing land suitability assessments and environmental management plans for a range of rural and urban reuse schemes. Recently assisting with an update to the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling Human Health Section.

 

He specialises in detailed qualitative and quantitative risk assessments using a range of modelling techniques based on quantitative structural-activity relationships (QSAR) of chemical hazards and a diverse range of terrestrial risk models and uses the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling to manage human health and the whole of environmental risks. He has led research projects in the runoff and lateral movement in soils of stormwater from micro-catchments.

 

Dr Stevens has an excellent track record on the management and delivery of integrated research outcomes for Atura and with his previous employers: The University of Adelaide and CSIRO Land and Water. Due to his extensive experience and knowledge, he was recently appointed a member of the Program Advisory Committee for RMIT's Environmental Science Department. Research and project management experience of Dr Stevens includes the management of several large research projects integrated across the industry, government authorities and research sectors.

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Memberships past and present:

  • Australia Water Association

  • American Chemical Society

  • Australian Soil Science Society

  • Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

  • International Society for Horticultural Science

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​​Our Expertise

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Atura has extensive experience in environmental risk assessment and management. Our expertise includes:

 

  • Project management

    • For small and large scale projects integrating a number of stakeholders.

 

  • Scientific research

    • Scientific research related to beneficial/detrimental impacts on soils, biota, plants and water

    • Statistical analysis, interpretation and graphical communication

    • Environmental terrestrial toxicology

    • Drafting and scientific support for handbooks, guidelines, websites and standards related to areas outlined above.

 

  • Modelling

    • Chemical modelling of inorganic and organic hazards in aquatic and terrestrial systems - includes pesticides, organic pollutants, heavy metals and more...

    • Water use and water recycling in terrestrial systems

    • Beneficial use of water treatment residuals, sewage sludge and biosolids

 

  • Risk Assessment

    • Risk Assessment (Human Health, Environmental and Agricultural) and risk minimisation strategies

    • Fugacity modelling of hazards (pollutants) in water cycles (sewage catchments, STPs, irrigation and terrestrial systems)

    • Models for management of risks associated with recycling water and biosolids

 

  • Land assessments

    • Land capability/suitability assessments for use of any water source for irrigation to land (e.g. recycled water, groundwater, dam or river water)

    • Farming systems and suitability for use of fresh or recycled water, or biosolids

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Our philosophy

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To provide risk assessment and risk management services to ensure the protection and safety of the terrestrial environment and the environments they can impact. 
 
Our passion has always been to use the best available science to minimise risks while maximising benefits.

 

While doing this we are also minimising our impact on the environment by:

Minimising unnecessary travel, using public transport where possible, using ebikes where possible, powering our office with solar, minimising energy use, and being a paperless office. We also make every attempt to minimise the use of plastics and maximise recycling of any wastes.

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