Professor
College of Science and Engineering
Professor Fallowfield is an aquatic microbial ecologist. His research focus is health aspects of water quality, which has been conducted across a range of aquatic environments including drinking water, wastewater and recreational waters. Howard has some 25 year's research experience in the UK and Australia, designing, constructing, operating and evaluating the performance of pilot plants for both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Successful research projects include the design and operation of high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) for the treatment of abattoir wastewater; construction and evaluation of new HRAP designs for the treatment of wastewater from rural communities in South Australia. The application of HRAPs for the treatment of wastewaters and on-site biomass energy production is also a current research project. A further research interest is the remediation of drinking water and groundwater contaminated with inorganic nitrogen, pharmaceuticals and personal care products using biological filters.
2020 Stormwater South Australia Excellence in Research & Innovation awarded for Joint Research Between Flinders University and City of Marion, Local Governement Association and the Managed Aquifer Recharge Users Group recognising the Oaklands Parks Wetlands Education Centre contribution to STEM education and outreach. Oaklands Park Wetlands and Education Centre video
2019 joint winner of the Australian Water Association (SA Branch) Infrastructure Innovation Project Award with Peterborough District Council and the SA Local Government Association for Peterborough Community Wastewater Managment Scheme; incorporating two 5000m2 high rate algal ponds.
2017 I was a member of the Environmental Health Team, with Dr Kirstin Ross and Dr Harriet Whiley, presented with the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Within the College of Science and Engineering Prof. Fallowfield is coordinator of Research Higher Degrees associated with environmental sciences and the Health and Environment Group.
My contribution to teaching reflects my expertise and interest in microbial ecology, particularly of aquatic environments, which have the potential to influence human health. Water quality and the treatment of wastewater, drinking water and stormwater is a specific focus together with the eutrophication of freshwater and the impact and management of cyanobacterial blooms.
I am a member of the International Water Association and its Specialist Group on Wastewater Pond Technologies; the Society for Applied Microbiology and of the High Integrity Australian Pork Co-operative Research Centre. Previous research assessing microbial risks associated with recreational waters was recognised by membership of National Health and Medical Research Council committee which reviewed Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters.
I am a reviewer for several international journals including Water Research, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Applied Phycology, Water Science and Technology.
I am a co-editor of the textbook Environmental Health in Australia and New Zealand published by Oxford University Press.
I have authored over 160 articles in peer reviewed journal and conference proceedings. Current research on high rate algal ponds is a collaboration with District Councils and the Local Government Association aimed at adopting the technology for use in rural communities in South Australia, however, the technology would also be appropriate for rural communities nationally and in developing countries. Integrated wastewater treatment technologies are also being investigated to enhance the sustainability and international competitiveness of Australian pork producers through membership of the High Integrity Australian Pork CRC.
Validation of wastewater treatment in a rural South Australian community using high rate algal ponds (HRAPs), International ICEWaRMwebinar August 2016 http://www.icewarm.com.au/australian-water-school/short-courses/course/webinar-community-wastewater-reuse/
ICEWaRM webinar July 2017 Community Waste Water Reuse with High Rate Algal Ponds HRAP #2 considers treatment mechanisms
ICEWaRM Webinar July 2018 https://www.icewarm.com.au/australian-water-school/resources/webinar-community-wastewater-reuse-with-hrap-3/
Oaklands Park Wetlands and Education Centre initiative 2020 https://www.marion.sa.gov.au/things-to-do/wetlands/oaklands-wetland