Water resources & infrastructure management research
Our research aims to develop innovative solutions for water resource management and associated infrastructure to address population growth, industrialisation, climate and land use change impacts.
Research areas
Decentralised & distributed systems
Understanding the role of decentralised systems in addressing the impacts of urbanisation, population growth and climate change on current water systems.
This includes exploring various approaches/systems for their harvesting potential for water conservation, water quality improvement and flood mitigation and decentralised wastewater treatment for local reuse.
The research will include undertaking hydraulic, hydrologic, water quality, economic and environmental assessment of urban water systems.
Green infrastructure & urban heat island mitigation
A challenge for liveability and sustainability of cities is the improvement of microclimate and Human Thermal Comfort (HTC) conditions for the urban dwellers. Green Infrastructure (GI) is an interconnected network of green spaces, can help conserve natural ecosystem values and functions.
Our research focuses on using green infrastructure to provide sustainable and resilient solutions for stormwater management, air quality improvement, urban heat island mitigation and biodiversity enhancement.
Integrated urban water management & water sensitive urban design
Exploring the applications of integrated urban water management approaches for sustainable urban water services. This covers technical, economic, social, environmental, climate change, water demand, risk and reliability aspects.
The impact of these approaches and factors on water infrastructure and associated management for their long-term sustainable operation and maintenance is also be investigated.
The externalities and social aspects of integrated water management and water-sensitive urban-design approaches will be investigated in collaboration with other research groups at VU.
River water quality modelling
Rivers are vital for human life and ecosystems, providing drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, and habitat for aquatic life. Our current research in river water quality modelling includes the development and application of river water quality indices.
Improving river water quality considering point and non-point sources of pollution.
Groundwater modelling
The research includes the assessment/ modelling of groundwater quantity and quality using AI/ML techniques.
Water infrastructure & asset management
Researching ways to efficiently and cost-effectively upgrade Australia's aging water infrastructure. Our current research in water infrastructure and asset management includes identifying the key factors that are causing excessive leaks and bursts in Melbourne’s water supply network. The research also includes application of AI/ML in water management and leak/burst prevention/ prediction of buried pipes.
Analysing the impacts of climate change and urbanization on urban drainage systems, including impact of source management practices on septicity in sewerage pipe networks.
Researching ways to efficiently and cost-effectively upgrade Australia's aging water infrastructure.
Our facilities & instrumentation
Our Fluid Dynamics Laboratory includes:
- water circulation systems
- large and small wind tunnels
- wave tank
- water wave generator
- hydraulic modelling tank
- building water supply model
- pipeline/reservoir simulation model
- water testing equipment
- various pumps and ancillary equipment Venturi meters
- momentum boards
- hydraulic benches
- tilting flume
- pipe loss boards
- buoyancy and stability models
- hot wire anemometry
- Starflow ultrasonic Doppler instruments
- digital micro manometers
- data loggers
- function generators
- oscilloscopes
- data acquisition systems
- airflow in pipes apparatus large and tilting flume.
Research projects
The following are the industry supported projects in this area:
- Water and energy footprint of small scale steel industries funded by CSIRO, Australia.
- Stormwater project Melton Growth Area (VU RISE project and Greater Western Water).
- Estimating the Economic Level of Leakage for Greater Western Water (VU RISE project).
- Stormwater quality and quantity monitoring at Werribee funded by Melbourne Water.
- Development of Intelligent Water Networks supported by Greater Western Water.
- Wastewater desalination for irrigation in inland regions funded by Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.
- Recovery of excess energy funded by Greater Western Water Network.
- Platypus Watch - Putting Perridak Back on Track Citizen Science project in collaboration with Werribee River Association and funded by Greater Western Water.
- Key water quality parameters and treatment required for stormwater reuse in collaboration with Hume City Council.
Staff & students
Read about our researchers, and access further information in the sections below.
Partners, funders & collaborators
- AusAid
- City of Melbourne
- City of Greater Shepparton
- Greater Western Water
- Melbourne Water
- WaterRA
- Wyndham City Council
- Hume City Council
- Werribee River Association
- Barwon Water
- Yarra Valley Water
- South East Water
- eWater