Research into NSW's water management released

Research has been facilitated by the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), in partnership with universities and government partners, to understand NSW’s water networks and their potential future.

Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), Macquarie University (MQ), UNSW and the University of Sydney, as well as from the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), have worked together to trial new technologies and use data modelling techniques to boost the state’s water management capabilities.

DPE Water Chief Knowledge Officer Mitchell Isaacs said: “Exploring new technologies means we can better serve the community in a rapidly changing environment. The unprecedented weather events of recent years have highlighted the need to understand the complexities of natural water systems better. The outcomes of this study have shed light on ways we can improve our world-leading water monitoring network.”

NSSN Co-Director Professor Benjamin Eggleton said: “The collaboration has brought together leading researchers to develop a holistic solution to water management. The team has investigated a range of integrated technologies, from quantum sensors capable of mapping underground aquifers to low-cost sensors collecting highly localised data, that respond to the problem of great distances in Australia and remote sensing through satellite imaging.”

Associate Professor Willem Vervoort, Director of the ARC Training Centre in Data Analytics for Resources and Environments (DARE), said: “Cumulatively, this work has demonstrated the importance of collaboration between multidisciplinary research teams working in close harmony with government agencies. Through continued and regular discussions between the partners, the project has produced a roadmap to improve integrated and evidence-based management of water resources in NSW.”

The research covered a range of topics and areas. The ANU scientists used NASA satellites to analyse gravity’s effects on water to understand how it moves across the landscape. The MQ researchers looked at how low-cost sensors could be used for high-resolution special sensing.

The UNSW team lent to the project their understanding of hydrology and analysed the recharge mechanisms of aquifers, while modelling from the University of Sydney’s DARE turned up information about how uncertainty of water measurements can be addressed.

The report about these research activities is available from the NSSN website.

Image credit: iStock.com/tsvibrav