The electronic circuitry of a sensor

The sensor networks we are developing will enable real-time analysis and management water, sewage and stormwater systems.

Urban Water Systems Engineering

Our research is creating the science and technology needed for more sustainable, efficient and innovative use of Australia’s water resources.

  • 16 December 2010 | Updated 18 September 2012
  1. Overview
  2. Skills and expertise
  3. Facilities, equipment and assets
  4. Contributions to research outcomes
  5. Key staff

Overview

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Australia is facing a number of major urban water systems challenges relating to population growth, water shortages, climate variability and change, degrading infrastructure, incorporation of alternative water and wastewater treatment systems, carbon footprint challenges and the evolution of the water sensitive city.

The Urban Water Systems Engineering Program delivers science that underpins national solutions to these problems by providing capability to understand the flows of water, energy and contaminants through the urban environment and enabling the development of methods or technologies that allow more efficient use or reuse of our valuable resources.

We bring together scientists with expertise ranging from water chemistry to urban water systems modelling and planning.

Specifically, the program is focussed on developing research capability to address the following concepts:

Sustainable cities – the role of water

By understanding and modelling existing and alternative urban water systems we can understand their dynamics and performance, as a precursor to optimization. This enables the development of new management procedures and technologies to improve the efficiency of assets and water use including solutions for alternative water, wastewater and stormwater systems.  A key component of these concepts is the development of iconic sites where innovative solutions for centralized and decentralised solutions are designed and implemented in cooperation with industry.

Intelligent networks

By developing and deploying sensor systems in conjunction with data acquisition and analysis, we can enable real-time determination and management of water quality, contamination incidents, and asset deterioration in potable water, sewage and stormwater systems.

Low energy water solutions

Understanding and improving the water/energy nexus and modelling of low energy alternatives to traditional systems will enable the development of methods for low energy water provision and treatment. Technologies developed based on this information will result in more efficient systems as well as the recovery of resources such as nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon from industrial and wastewater streams.

Water governance

Implementation of alternative water solutions in low capacity locations.

Read more about CSIRO Land and Water.