How do we transform large supply systems to be more reliable given far greater climatic extremes, at less energy cost?
This theme will embed responsive water management supported by advanced monitoring, treatment and decision-support into existing supply systems. It assesses alternative water source uses, and integration pathways into centralised water supply systems. Over two decades of extensive literature supports using purified recycled water, stormwater, and other sources as reliable and adaptive supplies. Rapid advances in monitoring better enables their consideration during decision-making. It builds affordable, resilient, low energy, low greenhouse gas (GHG) supply sources, decision support tools and adaptive management strategies.
Theme B works to overcome climate change challenges and meet growing water demand. Alternative water supplies include potable and non-potable water reuse and stormwater, which have been implemented nationally and internationally in decentralised as well as centralised water supply systems. However, there are still technical, social and regulatory barriers for their broader use. Theme B will address technical, economic and environmental hurdles, including risk and quality control, enhanced treatment schemes and adaptative management tools.
View all themesTheme B is expected to produce the following outcomes:
Research
Quantification of climate-change impacts on water; managing alternative water challenges; optimisation of water treatment processes to respond to climate impacts. Life cycle energy analysis of water supply options.
Industry
Affordable, comprehensive, innovative real-time monitoring tools; resilient, low energy, low GHG treatment technologies; multi-criteria decision support tools for adaptive management strategies and partnerships.
Training
Industry training on existing and new technologies for water monitoring and treatment