Water resources
Reservoir during drought
Our Water Resources research group works closely with the Institute of Sustainability and Innovation (ISI), water industry and several Australian and overseas universities.
We conduct research in major areas of water resource planning, integrated urban water management, hydrological modelling, water infrastructure and asset management, and river water quality modelling.
On this page
Water research projects
We are investigating sustainable ways of improving water use efficiency and productivity by developing methods and techniques for:
- allocating water
- protecting rivers and streams
- reusing stormwater and wastewater
- managing demand
- managing water assets.
Water resource planning
Reservoir with associated structures
We conduct research into water supply and demand focusing on ecological and environmental needs of rivers and streams. Our current research in water resource planning includes:
- potential impact of climate change on water resource systems
- meeting consumptive uses of water through efficient and equitable sharing of water resources
- stream flow generation techniques (e.g. using remote sensing data)
- sustainable river basin management
- protection of integrity and sustainability of ecosystems
Integrated urban water management
Managing urban water sources
Our research focuses on meeting the needs for water services to cater for projected increase in population and rapid urbanisation. Our current research in integrated urban water management includes:
- stormwater opportunities for urban development
- short-term non-residential urban water demand modelling
- 'third pipe' issues using stormwater and recycled water
- alternative water sources, including rainwater, reclaimed and treated water
Hydrological modelling
We use hydrologic models (conceptual and black box or data-driven models) for flood forecasting and predicting catchment stream-flow in urban areas. Our current hydrological modelling research includes:
- climate change and urbanisation impacts on urban drainage systems
- short term forecasting of hydroclimatic variables
- statistical downscaling of General Circulation Model (GCM) outputs to catchment level hydroclimatic parameters
Water infrastructure and asset management
Water infrastructure
We are researching ways to efficiently and cost-effectively upgrade Australia's aging water infrastructure. Our current research in water infrastructure and asset management includes:
- deterioration models for stormwater pipes
- asset management of sewers and manholes
- climate change and urbanization impacts on urban drainage systems
- monitoring corrosion in water mains using in-situ sensors
- impact of source management practices on septicity in sewerage pipe networks
River water quality modelling
River and lake pollution
Rivers can provide valuable supply of drinking water for humans, irrigation water to farmlands, water for hydropower and home for many aquatic ecosystems. Our current research in river water quality modelling includes:
- agricultural non-point source pollution
- septic tank pollution of rivers
- improving river water quality (considering point and non-point source pollution)
- river water quality index development
Research facilities and equipment
Water research facilities
We have a fully equipped fluid mechanics and hydraulics laboratory. Most research projects involve field work and monitoring, using pluviometers, flowmeters, and water quality monitoring equipment.
The majority of our projects use computer modelling. We use a range of industry standard hydrological and water resources computer software packages including GIS and REALM.
Workshops
We provide REALM software workshops on behalf of the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment. REALM simulates the harvesting and bulk distribution of water resources within a water supply system, and models the water storage behaviour.
Capabilities statement
View the Water resources capabilities statement for a brief overview of our research focus, expertise, facilities and resources, track record, profile and contact information.
Our researchers
| Staff | ||
| Name | Phone and email | Research interests |
|---|---|---|
|
Professor Chris Perera Group Leader |
+61 3 9919 4729 chris.perera@vu.edu.au |
Hydrology and water resources, climate impact studies, integrated urban water management, river water quality, and water asset management |
|
Dr Nitin Muttil Deputy Leader |
+61 3 9919 4251 nitin.muttil@vu.edu.au |
Hydrologic modelling and impacts of climate change on water resources |
| Dr Anne Ng | +61 3 9919 5507 anne.ng@vu.edu.au |
River water quality, integrated urban water management, water infrastructure management, and dendrohydrology |
| Mr Peter Lechte | +61 3 9919 4438 peter.lechte@vu.edu.au |
Integrated urban water management |
| Dr Fuchun Huang | +61 3 9919 4431 fuchun.huang@vu.edu.au |
Applied statistics, computational statistics, and time series analysis and forecasting |
| Dr Shobha Muthukumaran | +61 3 9919 4859 shobha.muthukumaran@vu.edu.au |
Integrated water management, water conservation measures, river water quality, water and wastewater treatment, and desalination |
| Dr Dung Tran | +61 3 9919 5007 dung.tran@vu.edu.au |
Artificial intelligence techniques, time-series forecasting of hydroclimatic variables, and water infrastructure asset management |
| Dr Abdullah Yilmaz | +61 3 9919 4195 abdullah.yilmaz@vu.edu.au |
Climate change, hydrologic modelling, integrated water resources management, artificial intelligence applications in hydrology. |
Our research students
Research undertaken by our current research students.
| Name | Thesis topic |
|---|---|
| Sushil Kumar Das (PhD) | Management of agricultural non-point source pollution - a case study on Yarra River |
| Nilantha Gamage (PhD) | Use of remote sensing data for generation of streamflow time series |
| Nepi Marleni Ni Nyoman (PhD) | Impact of source management practices on septicity in sewerage pipe networks |
| Prasad Inamdar (PhD) | Evaluation of potential stormwater opportunities and sites in an urban development |
| Nur Shams (PhD) | Managing septic tank pollution of rivers |
| Stephanie Ashbolt (PhD) | Development of short-term optimal operating plans for water grids |
| Safaet Hossain (PhD) | Effect of climate change on storm intensity, frequency and duration |
| Sachindra Dhanapala Arachchige (PhD) | Catchment level downscaling of hydroclimatic variables from general circulation model outputs |
| Walter Godoy (PhD) | Multi-objective optimisation of water supply systems - a shared vision |
| Shahram Molavi (PhD) | Assessment of potential impacts of climate change and urbanization on urban drainage systems |
| Suchana Barua (PhD) | Non-residential urban water demand forecasting using disaggregated procedures |
| Seneviratne Banda Abyekoon (PhD) | Decision support system for management of urban stormwater drainage network |
Research publications
Members of the Water Resources Group continue to publish their work in a broad range of scholarly journals and in proceedings of international learned conferences. Our recent publications are available.
Contact us
Professor Chris Perera
Leader, Water Resources Research Group
Phone: +61 3 9919 4729
Email: chris.perera@vu.edu.au
Dr Nitin Muttil
Deputy Leader
Phone: +61 3 9919 4251
Email: nitin.muttil@vu.edu.au