Australia and the Asian Institute of Technology collaborate with Lao PDR on water modelling

This week, officials from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are working with modelling experts from Australia and the Asian Institute of Technology to exchange knowledge on how water modelling can be used to build climate resilience.

Both Australia and Lao PDR share the challenge of high variability in available water, despite the seasonality of water availability being very different in the two countries. Modelling provides one mechanism for understanding existing water availability and use, and how this may change into the future.

Experts from Western Sydney University, the Asian Institute of Technology, National University of Laos, and eWater Solutions are providing training in water modelling, data analysis, and equitable water management. Led by Western Sydney University’s Dharma Hagare, the training draws on the experience and understanding of water management in Lao PDR through co-delivering with knowledge brokers from the Department of Water Resources and Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Water Partnership, the training comes at an important time with Lao PDR’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment currently delivering on its mandate to develop river basin plans across the country.

One of the models included in the training is the Australian eWater Source model at the direct request from the Government of Lao PDR. eWater Source is Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform, which supports utilisation of available data and best practice science to support water management and planning. 

Mukta Sapkota, Hydrologist, eWater Solutions, helped run a customised training program focusing on the applications of eWater Source in Laos.

“These training sessions in water modelling are crucial to assisting Lao PDR’s water departments. They are an essential tool for planners and decision-makers for planning and developing resilient and sustainable infrastructure, taking into consideration future flood risks associated with changing climate as well as projected development of irrigation and hydropower, expansion of urban areas, population, and land use changes,” Ms. Sapkota said.

“By using water modelling tools, like eWater Source, local water managers can develop a more informed understanding of current and future river basin flows and water availability to guide infrastructure development and the supply of water for agriculture and energy generation.”

The training is an important component of the broader collaboration between the Government of Lao PDR and Australia, and we were delighted to have participants from within Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, including the Department of Water Resources, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat, and the National University of Laos.

Laura Beckwith, Mekong Coordinator, Australian Water Partnership, said “AWP seeks to build partnerships between Australian technical experts and partners in the Asia Pacific to facilitate this type of knowledge exchange.”

“This shared learning about successes and challenges related to water management in Australia and the Mekong, strengthens… [our collective] ability to deliver on the sustainable and resilient management of water resources, in the context of climate change.”

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary people and their successes in science and technology.

Today is also recognition of the need for everyone across all sectors to join together to break down barriers to support the continued success of this current, and the next generation, of girls and women in science and technology for the benefit of all.

eWater Group is a diverse workforce. Our people have years, decades of experience from a various range of industries, including science and technology, academia, public policy, and more – with a central focus of finding sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally.

We are incredibly proud of our people and have profiled their extraordinary experience over the last several months, follow this link to read the profiles:

• Juanita Moolman, Senior Hydrologist, eWater Solutions – https://ewater.org.au/meet-our-people-at-ewater-juanita-moolman/
• Shreya Gyawali, Senior Program Officer, Australian Water Partnership – https://ewater.org.au/meet-shreya-gyawali-australian-water-partnerships/
• Samira Azadi, Hydrologist, eWater Solutions – https://ewater.org.au/meet-samira-azadi-hydrologist/
• Daxa Bhudia, Software Developer, eWater Solutions – https://ewater.org.au/meet-our-people-daxa-bhudia-software-developer/
• Lucy Chilver, Program Officer, Australian Water Partnership – https://ewater.org.au/meet-lucy-chilver-australian-water-partnership/
• Laura Beckwith, Mekong Coordinator, Australian Water Partnership – https://ewater.org.au/meet-our-people-laura-beckwith/
• Praveeni Prematilleke, Senior Test Analyst, eWater Solutions – https://ewater.org.au/meet-our-people-praveeni-prematilleke/

Our people represent a diversity of skills and experience across all sectors of government and private sectors.

Through eWater Solutions, we deliver a range of science and technology programs such as Australia’s National Hydrological Platform, eWater Source™, as well as eWater MUSIC™ which is Australia’s leading urban water sensitive platform, used by councils, governments, and water experts in Australia and globally.

Though the Australian Water Partnership, we work with more than 240 Australian partners to support sustainable and climate-resilient water resource management through skills and knowledge in response to demands from stakeholders across South Asia, the Mekong region, and the Pacific.

We recognise the importance of International Day of Women and Girls in Science and continue our efforts to support and celebrate the achievement of girls and women and need to continue the fight to break down barriers.

Delivering a new version of eWater MUSICX™ for our community

As Australia leading tool for water sensitive urban design, eWater MUSIC™ plays a critical role in how urban developers, planners, engineers, and local councils manage the impact of urban development on waterways.

We’re bringing you a new version of eWater MUSICX™ with new features and improvements.

These changes include:

• inclusion of a Buffer Node
• addition of a data preview window to make it easier to upload large rainfall data files
• updates to the Simulation in Progress Bar, so users can better track run progress
• new MUSIC Link configurations and a more seamless process for updating requirements
• minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

You can now download the new version of MUSICX™ via this link > software download link.

As part of this latest update, you will now need an up-to-date Support and Maintenance Agreement to download the latest version. Please email us at support@ewater.org.au to update your SMA.

L to R: Greg Claydon (Chair), Murray Rankin, Hamish Butler, Bob McMullan, Deb Brown, Kathryn Silvester, Mitchell Issac, Andrew Reynolds, Dr. Grace Mitchell.

Our recent Annual General Meeting marked a great opportunity for our Board and people to come together to share and celebrate our achievements and a greater focus on what we want to accomplish in 2024 and beyond.

We farewelled long serving Independent Director, David Dreverman, who stepped down after more than 15 years of service and support to eWater Group. David brought more than 40 years of experience and understanding of the water sector to the eWater Limited Board and the wider organisation. We wish David all the best for the future. Head to the link for more on David Dreverman here.

This year also marks new beginnings for the eWater Limited Board with the announcement that Hamish Butler will now step in as an Owner-Nominated Director within the eWater Board Limited, nominated by the Queensland Government.

With 20 years’ experience in the Queensland public service, including natural resource and environmental management roles, Mr. Butler is currently the Executive Director South Region, Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

Mr. Butler brings to the board strong experience in science and evidence-based water planning, compliance, and program implementation, as well as being an experienced leader with a passion for building technical and leadership capacity in the Queensland public service.

Greg Claydon, Chair, eWater Limited Board, said, “in welcoming Hamish to the Board, I also acknowledged retiring Director David Dreverman’s wonderful contribution to eWater, and indeed water resource management in Australia and internationally, over many years. I wish to thank David very much for his wise counsel, deep knowledge and very helpful insights, always aimed at achieving better outcomes, and wished him well for the future.”

“The eWater Ltd Board is a skills-based board and it is vital that we have a diversity of the necessary skills to inform our strategic direction and our decision-making.”

“Hamish’s role within the Queensland Department encompasses effective, evidence-based decision making, best practice regulation and consultative water planning activities, with an emphasis on business improvement and delivery. All of these align well with eWater’s products and services, so it is great to have him on board.”

We also welcomed the re-election of two Board Directors – Owner-nominated Director by the Commonwealth, Andrew Reynolds from the Murray Darling Basin Authority, and Owner-Nominated Director, Deb Brown, from the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change.

Andrew Reynolds has more than 24 years’ experience in the water industry, managing major water supply infrastructure, as well as extensive knowledge in the fields of engineering project management, dam safety and construction management. Andrew is the Executive Director, River Management at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

Deb Brown is the Executive Director in the Water and Catchments Group of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and a trusted and respected water leader with over 20 years’ experience within the public sector. Over her career, Deb has specialised in urban water management and conservation, environment, and river health improvement, and more recently in improving Traditional Owner inclusion in water management.

We welcome Hamish to the eWater Limited Board, and the re-election of Deb and Andrew.

eWater Group is governed by a Board of Directors who bring a diverse range of skills and experience to our organisation, including water policy and management, commercialisation of Australian technology, research and development, and strategic planning.

As we near the end of the year, we celebrate our achievements as an organisation and the challenges we have overcome to deliver water policies and programs with integrity and value for the communities we support throughout Australia and in developing countries around the world.

Michael Wilson, Group CEO, eWater Group “I take this opportunity to thank the hard work and perseverance of eWater Group employees and am optimistic that our organisation has a bright and dynamic future ahead of us driven by a creative, expert, and professional team.”

We look forward to 2024 and continue our work in the pursuit of sustainable management of water resources through the development and sharing of best practices, capabilities, and knowledge of Australian water expertise, nationally and globally.

Australian Water Solutions and the role of eWater Group in Australia and internationally

Greg Claydon, Chair and Independent Director, eWater Limited Board, deep dives into the challenges ahead for the water industry next year and the role of eWater Group in Australia and internationally.

As we move into our twelfth year of operation as eWater Limited, this past year has provided an opportunity to refresh the strategic direction of the organisation, including strong custodianship of a modernised national hydrological modelling platform that is fit-for-purpose, now and into the future. 

No other organisation can ensure the safe custody and prudent ongoing development of this critical national asset.

eWater Source, used appropriately, greatly assists those tasked with the sensible and sustainable management of Australian water resources to make high-quality, informed, confident, transparent, equitable and wise decisions.

This past year was also an opportunity for the Australian Water Partnership and Mekong Water Solutions to further strengthen our international efforts and our partnerships to build water security, resilience, equality and understanding in the face of climate change, population growth, demographic shifts, poverty reduction and other challenges. 

Through these efforts and partnerships, we aim to support and further develop Australia’s world-class water management and modelling products, services, and capabilities.

We also aim to deliver operational excellence and capacity building as a trusted adviser to international governments, demonstrating and exhibiting strong capabilities in international development program management.

Most importantly, we finish 2023 in a stronger financial position than we started – this was no easy feat. It means we are going from strength to strength as we can continue our work in pursuit of better water management both in Australia and with our partners overseas and that is what eWater is all about.

This year, like many other water advocating organisations in Australia and around the world, we have seen some challenges, all of which we can address through strong cooperation, collaboration, and commitment.

For the wider water industry first, the all-encompassing challenge is how do we come to grips with our changing climate – preparing for and dealing with the increased variability, the bigger floods and the longer droughts, the higher temperatures and higher sea-levels, and less rainfall in many areas. That, combined with continued population growth and changing demographics, including expanding cities, puts tremendous pressure on water security for the environment, for industry and for communities. These all-impact people’s lives and livelihoods.

At the same time, there are imperatives to better manage available water supplies more efficiently and get the best outcomes from water for the environment, while recognising the importance of meeting cultural water provisions and the needs and aspirations of First Nations people in water management.

And concerns continue to grow about threats to water quality and the distressing impacts of poor water quality on people and the environment.

So, there is still a lot to do to have an efficient and sustainable water industry. It continues to be important to invest in science and knowledge, skills and capacity and decision-support tools, to exercise leadership and good governance and to support initiatives like a refreshed National Water Initiative and overseas aid programs that seek climate resilience, poverty reduction and equity of opportunity.

All the above actually present tremendous opportunities for eWater Group.

The challenge is to make those opportunities a continuing integral part of our business by way of partnerships, investments, commitments, and innovation.

That is why, for example, eWater Group is determined to modernise eWater Source as the National Hydrological Modelling Platform that is fit-for-purpose for 2030 and beyond. Not only is eWater Source a focus, but we are also looking to update the science underpinning the eWater MUSIC modelling platform, to further improve information and decisions about water sensitive urban design and improved water quality in urban settings.

That is also why eWater Group is keen to deliver phase 3 of the Australian Water Partnership, building on the tremendous achievements of the first two phases managed by eWater. And we also would like to continue our great work in the Mekong, including with the Mekong River Commission, which has been a valuable partnership over many years.

I think it is fair to say that we all desire greater certainty in these uncertain times. eWater Group can provide the strategies, the skills, and the tools to help with that.

Engineer Australia’s 2023 Hydrology and Water Resource Symposium

Author: Samira Azadi, Hydrologist, eWater Group

eWater Solutions hydrologist, Samira Azadi, represented eWater Group at Engineer Australia’s 2023 Hydrology and Water Resource Symposium in Sydney recently and provide an insight into her attendance.

Engineers Australia recently hosted the 2023 Hydrology and Water Resource Symposium in Sydney which was a fantastic opportunity to engage and connect with fellow industry experts on a wide range of theoretical, technical, and practical aspects of hydrology and water resources.

The symposium provided me the opportunity to hear firsthand from some of our user community and partners on their real-world application of eWater Source or eWater MUSIC.

I was also able to hear from key leaders in the hydrology industry on the challenges and proposed solutions, particularly in the context of climate change and flood control. Notably, there were engaging presentations on the application of artificial intelligence in hydrological issues, revealing intriguing results.

An aspect of the symposium I really liked was the recognition and appreciation extended to several distinguished individuals in the field of hydrology, including Dr. Allen Goyen, Dr. Geoff O Loughlin, and Dr. Francis Chiew, who have dedicated themselves with high motivation to the field of hydrology in Australia for many years.

Hearing firsthand from several distinguished experts and learning about the significant amount of effort, time, and energy they have invested in the scientific and practical progress of hydrology in Australia, is not only essential but also highly inspiring for early career professionals like me.

Considering that Australia features a diverse climate and abundant natural resources, it becomes imperative that we continue to be led by proficient and experienced individuals across various realms of management, science, and practice, particularly in the domain of hydrology.

The Hydrology and Water Resource Symposium provided an opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and forge new connections with experts in various fields, ranging from hydrology and hydraulics to urban water management, flood control, and climate change. One of the highlights for me was the amount of research conducted using eWater Source and eWater MUSIC software. This underscored the potential of these software tools for use in research and practical projects in Australia.

The discussions and questions that followed the presentations contributed to a deeper understanding of user needs across different fields, offering the eWater team valuable insights for designing and planning the future software enhancement path.

David Dreverman steps down as Director, eWater Limited Board, after 15 years of service and support to eWater Group.

eWater Limited Board Independent Director David Dreverman announced today at the Annual General Meeting his decision to step down after 15 years of service and support to eWater and its goals.

eWater Group and the eWater Limited Board commended David for his sound advice and support – from eWater’s early beginnings as a Cooperative Research Centre to the Australian and world-leading organisation that it is today.

David brought more than 40 years of experience and understanding of the water sector in Australia and internationally to the eWater Limited Board and the wider organisation, including an Executive Director of River Management at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and the Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Prior to these roles, David worked as a consultant in the engineering industry; with SMEC, Hydro Electric Commission, Tasmania and Australian Power and Water.

Michael Wilson, Group CEO, eWater Group, said, “David’s contribution to ensuring better and more sustainable and equitable water management outcomes in Australia – and his contribution to eWater in particular – has been extraordinary.

“It has been a privilege to have had the benefit of David’s wisdom and counsel for so long, and the legacy he leaves to eWater Group’s Australian and international work is immeasurable.

“We thank David for his energy, diligence, and all-embracing passion for water management across the globe.”

Greg Claydon PSM, Chair, eWater Limited Board, said, “I wish to acknowledge David’s wonderful contribution to eWater, and indeed water resource management in Australia and internationally, over many years. I thank him very much for his wise counsel, deep knowledge, and very helpful insights, always aimed at achieving better outcomes.”

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

eWater Group supports National Water Week 2023

It’s National Water Week, and we are supporting the Australian Water Association. This week is an opportunity to celebrate the work of our water professionals and organisations across Australia as well as continue to find ways to protect our most vital resource, water; now and into the future.

Michael Wilson, eWater Group CEO, said “Water is fundamental to all life on Earth and its sustainable management is critical to the wellbeing of our society and our environment.  To achieve positive outcomes across all sectors – food security, energy security, climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem health, and disaster management – water security is paramount.”

“eWater Group and its divisions proudly support National Water Week, and join in with the Australian Water Association, through our work, to help communities throughout Australia and in developing countries across the globe, manage their water more sustainably.”

eWater Group is committed to the pursuit of sustainable management of water resources through the development and sharing of best practices, capabilities, and knowledge of Australian water expertise, nationally and globally.

We develop and deliver Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform (eWater Source) on behalf of all Australian governments; and deliver international water development programs on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including the flagship, Australian Water Partnership.

Together, we are united by water.

Learn more about National Water Week > https://sbee.link/83qetn9mwv

Learn more about eWater Group and its divisions > https://sbee.link/gu6a4pnvt8 and https://sbee.link/9btxrnjp8q

eWater Group attends the 13th MRC Regional Stakeholder Forum

The impact of climate and human activities in the Mekong River Basin continues to have a detrimental impact on the lives of millions of people and communities in the region and requires experts across government, the private sector and community organisations to work together for a sustainable future.  

eWater Group was delighted to participate in the recent 13th Mekong River Commission Regional Stakeholder Forum, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, with representation from Trudy Green, Hydrology and Partnerships Lead, and Dr Paradis Someth, Principal Hydrologist.  

A highlight of the forum was the release by the Mekong River Commission and Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (LMC Water Center) of the Phase 1 findings on Changing Hydrological Conditions of Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies. We congratulate the MRC and LMC on this significant achievement. 

For eWater, the Forum provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the outcomes of the Joint Study and engage in insightful conversations with our partners in the Mekong. 

Trudy Green, Hydrology and Partnerships Lead, said: “Attending the workshop was a fantastic opportunity to understand the diversity and complexity of issues in the Mekong Region and will allow eWater Group to continue to improve and refine the technical support we provide to the MRC and the Member Countries.”

At this regional forum, we were excited to reconnect with our valued Mekong partners, including Mekong River Commission Secretariat, National University of Laos (NUoL), Lao Department of Water Resources (DWR), Laos National Mekong Committee (LNMC), Cambodia National Mekong Committee (CNMC), Thai Office of the National Water Resources (NOWR), and Viet Nam National Mekong Committee (VNMC). 

eWater Group is thrilled to offer a world-class water resource modelling tool, empowering transboundary water management. 

Learn more about the Forum > https://www.mrcmekong.org/news-and-events/consultations/regional-stakeholder-forums/mrc-rsf-13/  

To read more about the MRC Joint Study > https://www.mrcmekong.org/news-and-events/news/pr-20230910/?fbclid=IwAR3wAhpldrLocWbuwyksmsMcER3S5efCBwfO6hd-kgBD3wQTjHU-JLSP_Vs  

Shreya Gyawali, Senior Program Officer, Australian Water Partnerships

“Our work directly impacts people’s lives. Knowing that my day-to-day contributions at work could positively influence someone’s life is a significant motivator to keep going.”

It is this kind of thinking that makes eWater Group an exceptional place to work. Our people – like Shreya Gyawali – bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organisation but it is the willingness to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people and their communities that is truly exceptional.

We are an organisation dedicated to delivering water management expertise and tools in Australia and internationally through our three divisions – the Australian Water Partnership, eWater Solutions, and Mekong Water Solutions.

The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is a key part of Australia’s support for sustainable water resources management in South Asia, the Mekong region, and the Pacific. Working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AWP supports a range of activities that draw on Australian expertise to respond to assistance from our international partners and governments.

In her role as AWP’s Senior Program Officer, Shreya has a whole raft of responsibilities including managing and engaging on international and national events for AWP but just as important, if not more, leading the Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (or GEDSI) portfolio within AWP.

Shreya works with the AWP program team to better integrate GEDSI across all activities, as well as lead on internal policy reviews and implementation processes. It is one of our critical roles within AWP.

“AWP’s commitment to advancing Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in partnership with different organisations in Australia and overseas is a significant reason of why I work at AWP.”

Water has always played a big role in Shreya’s life. Having worked in the development sector in her hometown of Kathmandu, Nepal, prior to moving to Australia to complete her Master’s in Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from the Australian National University Shreya participated in field visits to see first-hand the impacts of water stress on women and girls.

“Issues like water insecurity disproportionately impacts women and girls. It impacts their education, hygiene, and safety, and as they usually have the responsibility of fetching water- also impacts their time. These issues are embedded within cultural contexts and social norms and become further exacerbated in the face of climate change as well as in crisis scenarios.

“Water issues are personal issues for women and girls. Creating change in this space will mean having the ability to influence people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour – which is what I would like to do, and being in this sector is a great platform to meet like-minded people and create momentum for that change.”

Now working at AWP for nearly two years, Shreya has represented AWP at major national and international events, including SIWI World Water Week 2022 in Stockholm where she collaborated with water leaders from Australia and the region to share knowledge and successes.  She is on her own leadership journey as one of AWP’s Young Water Professionals and brings her passion and unique perspective to her work every day. 

“Being a Nepali woman with my own cultural experiences and having seen the lived realities of people back home, I am aspiring to be a change agent and champion for people in my community, and I see this as a step towards making that happen.”

“There is a crucial need to recognise and accept the different forms of knowledge that inform solutions to the challenges of climate change; cultural, Indigenous, technical, and local knowledge and find ways to better integrate them together.”

It is this commitment to changing how we engage with communities, develop policies and programs on water management, and think more strategically about our water resources, which remains central to the work of AWP and eWater Group.

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

The people who work at eWater Group are leaders in their fields, bringing years – in many cases decades – of experience from a diverse range of industries, including science and technology, international development, academia, public policy, project management, sales, and more.

We are an organisation dedicated to delivering world-class water management expertise and tools in Australia and internationally through our three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership, and Mekong Water Solutions.

Usman Khalil encapsulates many of the diverse skills and experience we have across the eWater Group. As one of our hydrologists, Usman works closely with one of our most significant partners, the Murray Darling Basin Authority, where he contributes to the review of water resource plans and the implementation of the Basin Plan.  

For Usman, our partnership with MDBA is a critical one in which he provides hydrologic and statistical analysis for several major rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin to help inform water allocation and management policy, as well as analysis of water flow and rainfall data insights.

This collaborative partnership with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is an example of our support for the use of eWater Source, Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform to support water management.

Usman holds a PhD in Water Resource Engineering from the University of Wollongong, where he focused on Queensland Australia’s Coastal flood governance and water management in Queensland. He also has an MSc in Hydraulics and Irrigation Engineering and a BSc in Civil Engineering.

Usman’s passion for hydrology and finding sustainable water management solutions was solidified during the completion of his BSc in Civil Engineering in Pakistan in late 2010. In that year, approximately one-fifth of Pakistan’s total land area was devastated by floods from heavy monsoon rainfalls, causing casualties and destruction of property, infrastructure, and land.

“That was the time I decided to contribute to sustainable water and flood management and decided to focus my career on the field of Water Resource Engineer to play my role in it.”

And it is this passion that led Usman to join eWater Group, where he works closely with our government owners and partners with knowledge and understanding of their bespoke challenges and provides guidance on using our technology and expertise in hydrology to find solutions.

Usman brings 13 years of knowledge and experience to eWater Group. Usman has been involved in a diverse range of projects and activities, including dam design, hydrological modelling, hydraulic modelling, hydrodynamic modelling, transboundary cooperation, academic teaching, sustainable development and planning, and climate-resilient water plans.

“I value my work at eWater and appreciate the diverse opportunities that it offers in several ways, including the diversity of work, the ability to shape the direction of Australia’s hydrological modelling tools, the close partnerships with government owners and many of Australia’s leading water managers, and the collaborative work culture.”

“I enjoy my role as it enables me to share knowledge and expertise in water management to meet national and international needs.”

These national and international needs include the growing need to address water scarcity and sustainability, which continues to be a current and emerging challenge for Australian governments and partners, as well as international governments and institutions.

How we address these challenges relies on the hydrologists, academics, software developers, sales, project managers, public policy, and water industry experts and innovators who make up eWater Group.

For Usman, the key to finding solutions is through eWater Group’s products and software that “help customers make informed decisions in water modelling, scarcity, and sustainability. We are helping to bridge the gap between complex data and actionable information. This enables decision-makers, stakeholders, and policymakers to understand the implications of their choices, identify optimal solutions, and prioritize investments that promote water sustainability.”

“By providing accurate assessments, modelling different scenarios, and promoting sustainable water management practices, we are contributing to informed decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and the long-term sustainability of water resources in the country.”

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

The people who represent our organisation are exceptional. They bring years – in many cases decades – of experience from a diverse range of industries, including science and technology, academia, public policy, project management, sales, and more. Our workforce is world-class experts and leaders in their respective fields.

We are an organisation dedicated to delivering water management expertise and tools in Australia and internationally through our three divisions – the Australian Water Partnership, eWater Solutions, and Mekong Water Solutions.

Introducing Dr. Jin Wang, who has been working as our Senior Hydrologist for the past five years and counting, plus two decades of experience in the industry.

Jin, who works within the eWater Solutions teams, brings an enormous amount of experience to our organisation, including four degrees (B.Eng., M.Eng., M.Sc., and Ph.D.) in Hydrology and Water Resources from institutions within Australia, Ireland, and China.

Dr. Wang’s doctoral research revolved around the development of a computer-based spatial decision support system for flood forecasting and warning.

In addition to his pursuit of higher education, Jin also worked at the University of Melbourne, consulting firm GHD and the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. It is this industry experience, coupled with his education, that has actively contributed to the advancement of his hydrological knowledge and practices.  

His love for hydrology was spurred by a serendipitous incident where he encountered his cousin, who inspired Jin with his interest in hydrology and water engineering, leading Jin to change his university application and apply for water engineering instead of a career in medicine. This decision was reaffirmed soon after when his father encountered challenges when a geologist failed to detect a concealed sandy layer at a dam closure site, which led to an accelerated flow and subsequent difficulties for hydrologists in managing the flow velocity at the narrow closure site. This served as an indelible inspiration, propelling Jin to pursue a comprehensive academic exploration of hydrology and geology.

“I believe that these disciplines would equip me with the requisite skills to address and mitigate such critical issues effectively. The immense gratitude I harbour for this serendipitous path is surpassed only by the profound satisfaction and fulfillment I derive from the continuous study and professional engagement within this fascinating field.”

It is Jin’s profound proficiency in hydrological and stormwater analysis, water resource management, dam design, hydraulic models, and more, that led to joining eWater Group.

“eWater is an excellent organisation for pursuing my career interests. Its primary objective is to establish and disseminate Australia’s world-class modelling tools while concurrently offering expertise and a community of practice to support their implementation both within Australia and globally.”

“Consequently, I can leverage my diverse skill set to address complex problems and provide support to fellow professionals in water modelling. The collaborative work environment at eWater, coupled with its associated modelling tools community, fosters a deeper comprehension of the application of our tools, and the opportunity to contribute to feature development enhances the overall allure of the work.”

It is commitment like Jin’s to sharing knowledge and expertise with his colleagues, our owners, and partners which enables eWater Group to be a leader in water management in Australia and internationally. Our people are central to maintaining and developing Australia’s internationally respected water modelling tools and provide support, program delivery, and training both in Australia and overseas.

Jin’s role as a senior Hydrologist sees him working on diverse projects and solving our clients’ water-related issues using our platforms, eWater Source and eWater MUSIC.

“As part of my role, I deliver technical support by applying hydrological principles and eWater software to address client issues, including effectively identifying, investigating, and resolving problems within the existing product. I also provide comprehensive guidance to support clients to use our products to tackle their water management challenges.”

“I find immense gratification in integrating my expertise in hydrology, GIS, and computer science to contribute to the advancement of the eWater Source application and facilitate feature development.

“Through the collaborative application of specialised knowledge, services, and unwavering support, I am humbled by the opportunity to address complex challenges and offer innovative solutions. This pursuit of excellence not only fuels my professional growth but also underscores the meaningful impact of my contributions to shaping the hydrological landscape.”

Dr. Wang is part of a dedicated group of hydrologists and software developers, and the wider organisation, who work diligently to support our owners, partners and the water management sector with tools, knowledge, and expertise to find solutions to many of the challenges facing our environment and the impact of climate change, in Australia and internationally.

We face many challenges ahead of us. According to Dr. Wang, how we address these challenges in water modelling must include “integrating with other existing models (e.g., groundwater models) and providing capacities to consider future development in the relevant disciplines such as climate change and environmental accounts.”

It is this experience and understanding which helps eWater Group provide expert knowledge and understanding of water resource management to the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments, our Australian and international partners, as well as leading water experts and leaders.

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

AWS Immersion Day on Containers

Our software development team attended an Amazon Web Services Immersion Day on Containers, part of our ongoing focus to ensure that modernized versions of eWater’s Source software continue to best support Australian Governments as they continue to evolve their hydrological modelling capabilities.

We’re not talking Storage World or Marie Kondo; these Containers are packages of software containing all of the necessary elements to run in any environment. In this way, containers virtualise the operating system and run anywhere, from a private data center to the public cloud or even on a developer’s personal laptop.

Containerisation is a powerful way to ensure seamless application operation and availability during updates, load spikes, and partial error conditions.  Running containers in the cloud allows companies to build robust, scalable applications and services.

This training will help our amazing team of developers to support new projects and new ways of leveraging the power of eWater’s Source hydrological modelling tool.

Celebrating Australian science and technology and the power of people

The sustainable management of water is critical for all life on earth and the wellbeing of our society. As the driest inhabited continent on earth, Australia is well-placed to understand the complexity of protecting and managing our water resources and has become an internationally recognised leader in water policy and management.

We are marking National Science Week 2023 by acknowledging and celebrating the people and science behind the work we do at eWater Group.

We are committed to the pursuit of sustainable management of water resources through the development and sharing of best practices, capabilities, and knowledge of Australian water expertise, nationally and internationally.

Our people are hydrologists, academics, software developers, sales and project managers public policy and water industry experts and innovators who are all here to find water management solutions for the benefit of all people and their communities.

We develop and deliver Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform on behalf of all Australian governments through eWater Solutions; and deliver international development programs on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including through the Australian Water Partnership and Mekong Water Solutions.

We provide creative, science-based, and trusted water management expertise, products and services for people, communities, livelihoods, and environment impacted by many factors, including climate change.

From our beginnings as a Cooperative Research Centre Program to the organisation we are today; eWater Group has evolved to occupy a unique place in Australia’s water management and international cooperation ecosystem, including custodianship of the eWater Source platform.  

eWater Source supports integrated planning, operations, and governance from urban to catchment to river basin scales including taking human and ecological influences into account. It accommodates diverse climatic, geographic, water policy and governance settings for both Australian and international climatic conditions. 

eWater Source is the largest scientific software in use by the Australian Government, blending science insights with technological innovation to maintain the National Hydrological Modelling Platform.

Our world-class platform translates water-science outcomes into software to enable all Australian governments and our partners to harness data-derived insights and use scientific outputs in their decision making.

eWater Source has been applied extensively in a wide range of real-world water use situations, both in Australia and internationally, supporting the management of rivers in Australia, the Mekong region, across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Alongside eWater Source, we also have eWater MUSIC and Urban Developer models which are designed to manage the interaction between various water supply systems as well as capture all water cycle components including rainfall and stormwater runoff, potable water, and the recycling / reuse of wastewater. These tools enable robust and reliable decision-making for secure urban water supplies.

To achieve positive outcomes across all sectors – food security, energy security, climate resilience, biodiversity and ecosystem health, and disaster management – water security is paramount. And as climate change accelerates the challenges, international cooperation to share learning is increasingly important.

A key part of Australia’s support for climate resilient water management in South-East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific, is through our work within the Australian Water Partnership, which works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and over 200 Australian partners across the public and private sectors.

The Australian Water Partnership supports a range of activities that draw on Australian expertise to respond to assistance from our international partners and governments, including on river basins, irrigation modernisation, integrated urban water management and environmental water.

This week gives cause for us to acknowledge this collective commitment as an organisation, and individuals, to finding water management solutions which is why we want to acknowledge and celebrate National Science Week.

As the impacts of climate change and other environmental factors continue to grow and exacerbate water security, eWater Group is best placed to provide support, program delivery and training for the protection of our most precious resource. 

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

With MODSIM 2023 now done, we are taking the opportunity to recap our time at this critical conference and how important it is for modellers from a diverse range of fields to showcase the latest science and technology and how it is applied by the global water modelling and community.

Last month, Darwin played host to the 25^th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation – otherwise known as MODSIM – where modellers from across Australia descended on the balmy city to talk about water modelling, including the use of emerging technologies to improve modelling practice and the use of modelling to find new solutions to solve the growing impact of climate change in our waterways and environment.

eWater Group Hydrologists, Dr Jin Wang and Sudeep Nair represented our organisation at MODSIM, where we were a sponsor, to facilitate sessions related to hydrological modelling and showcase the new functionalities of Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform, eWater Source, and how it helps water managers to meet the changing needs in water resources management.

Sudeep said “it was great to see how various users unravel the many facets of eWater Source and understand how it is helping the users to achieve their objectives. We heard their experiences and feedback, which helped us to understand the strength of Source as a hydrological modelling tool and areas for potential enhancement.”

“MODSIM was also a great opportunity for us [hydrologists] to introduce eWater Source to a wider audience who were not so familiar with the tool, and a chance to update ourselves on the latest trends and techniques in water and environmental modelling.”

One of the more interesting observations from our hydrologists was from other presenters at the conference who demonstrated the versatility and agility of Source as a hydrological modelling tool and how modellers were using it for bespoke applications.

“One of the many advantages of eWater Source is that it can handle both water quantity and quality aspects and has many functionalities specific for Australian purposes,” Sudeep said.

With any science-based software and technology tools, there is also room for improvements in areas such as stability, accuracy, and performance improvements, and eWater Group is diligent in improving our software platforms to enable our owners, partners and water experts have an enriched user experience.

For our hydrologists, Dr Wang and Sudeep Nair, MODSIM provided a great back drop to generate interest and discussion on hydrologically modelling methods in general and eWater Source in particular.

Both Sudeep and Dr Wang co-presented a session with Rachael Holden from Power and Water Cooperation: Providing Water for All: Modelling to Improve Water Security for Communities, the Environment and Industry, which helped spearhead conversations on the impact of water modelling to inform decision-makers and the role of eWater Source.

To read the full abstract from Sudeep Nair > https://lnkd.in/eDzNiybjhttps://ewater.org.au/3443-2/ and for Samira Azadi (who was unfortunately a last-minute cancellation) > https://ewater.org.au/3443-2/.

Conferences like MODSIM play a significant role in the water space. It is an avenue for learning, networking, and informing of the latest research and modelling outcomes in Australia and beyond; and an important opportunity for eWater Group and our people to showcase who we are and what we are doing to address the new challenges in the hydrological modelling realm.

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

Our people who represent our organisation are exceptional. Our people bring years – in many cases decades – of experience from a diverse range of industries, including international development, science and technology, academia, public policy, project management, sales, and more.

We are an organisation dedicated to delivering water management expertise and tools in Australia and internationally through our three divisions – the Australian Water Partnership, eWater Solutions, and Mekong Water Solutions.

The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is a key part of Australia’s support for sustainable water resources management in South Asia, the Mekong region, and the Pacific. Working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AWP supports a range of activities that draw on Australian expertise to respond to assistance from our international partners and governments.

As the AWP Program Lead, Rohan Kent plays a critical role in our international program of activities, overseeing a diverse range of projects across the Indo-Pacific in river basin and water resources planning, urban and rural water, agriculture, flood and drought management, and climate resilience.

Prior to joining AWP in 2021, Rohan worked across several sectors, including health, education, humanitarian and international development, and Indigenous community programs, including Save The Children Australia as its Deputy Humanitarian Director, and at the Australian Civil-Military Centre in its Concepts and Capabilities Unit.

“Most of my career has been based around working with vulnerable communities through international development and a rights-based programming lens. Within these roles, I have worked closely with multiple stakeholders – many with differing or competing perspectives. This has helped me not only appreciate the need to take time to design projects carefully so there is not only a focus on sustainable outcomes but also ensure they are delivered in an efficient and effective way.”

“With any role or project, I believe effective communication cannot be underestimated; this helps to promote ownership and create a supportive environment around the project. And of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention how important accountability is within the project management cycle and how it must be encouraged so responsibility for actions is ensured.”

In addition, Rohan has worked across several development and disaster settings, implementing integrated programs in the protection, WASH, food security and livelihoods, and health sectors in the Philippines, Fiji, Pakistan, Iraq, and South Sudan.

While bringing decades of experience to AWP and its partners is nothing short of invaluable, it is Rohan’s understanding of the development sector, together with his compassion for the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people, that sets Rohan apart from others.

“Water security is a challenge that impacts us all. It’s not just about the ability to provide for industrial, agricultural, recreational, energy, and domestic needs. While these are important, we also need to consider the integrity and sustainability of our surrounding ecosystems.”

“It’s important that as Australians we continue to be involved in discussions around water security if we want Australia – and our neighbours – to enjoy continued sustainable development, the preservation of the environmental, and poverty reduction.”

“After all, as Australia, we have much to contribute given we have the privilege of having the oldest, continuing living culture in the world, who can share their knowledge and learnings on caring for water and waterways and promoting better water security.”

It is this commitment to finding solutions to real-world challenges facing communities impacted by climate change, access to water supply, and quality, that drives Rohan and his team to do more. 

“Continuing the conversation doesn’t always mean we are the ones talking. Being present is important but so is acting with humility and patience in this space when we are engaging in conversation. My experience across the world in the aid and development sector has taught me to focus on ‘listening’ as well as to talk at the appropriate time.”

“We must listen to what rights holders and duty bearers’ needs are and work with them in partnership to drive innovative solutions and not just impose what we think they need upon them, no matter how good we think our solutions might be.”

“I remember listening to representatives from the Kaurna people at this year’s AWP Partners Workshop. They spoke of the need for people to take more time to listen to what the environment around us is saying. Indigenous knowledge is a critical source of water science.  We need to recognise its value, and the ways that we can both share and learn from in this space.”

It is this level of commitment by Rohan to the vision and mission of AWP, and the wider eWater Group, that enables our organisation to have an indelible impact on the lives of people and their communities within Australia and internationally.

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

Channpisey Nop, Irrigation Engineer, Mekong Water Solutions

Water sustainability and scarcity is a real challenge for communities around Australia and internationally every single day. At eWater Group our role is to provide governments, decision makers, water managers, researchers and modellers the tools and expertise to make the right decisions when it comes to protecting our most precious resource: water.

Our people are multi-talented and made up of hydrologists, software developers, water industry experts, international development professionals, and innovators, with a strong commitment to supporting sustainable water management.

Our reach is far and wide within Australia and internationally. eWater Group is responsible for the management of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership, and Mekong Water Solutions.

Mekong Water Solutions, which is funded by the Australian Government, works closely with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Royal Cambodian Government, with the skills and tools necessary to provide sustainable and accessible water to communities, farmers and industry across the region.  We do this through innovative solutions, collaborative partnerships, and with local knowledge at the heart of everything.

Channpisey Nop, Irrigation Engineer, Mekong Water Solutions, is responsible for water balance analysis for irrigation system design, and water management system for river basins in Cambodia and brings a special understanding of how important of river managements are to the people of Cambodia.

With an Engineering Degree in Water Resources and Rural Infrastructure supported by the Asian Development Bank from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, and a master’s degree in water resources engineering with a Japanese Government scholarship from Kyoto University, plus years of experience in water resources engineering and infrastructure in both Japan and Cambodia; Channpisey brings a wealth of knowledge to Mekong Water Solutions.

“I am grateful as a specialist on water resources engineering because I have a chance to share my knowledge and experiences for the development of water resources in Cambodia and in the Mekong region or even internationally through Mekong Water Solutions.”

“I enjoy going to the field to study the real issues that provide a better understanding to solve those problems. The main inspiration for my role is when I can directly support the farmers who could get benefit from our work.”

One key project Channpisey has been part of is the World Bank Cambodia Water Security Improvement Project which is focused on improving water security and increasing water productivity in river basins in Cambodia.

“This project is a real challenge for us [Mekong Water Solutions] to deliver quality work and solutions for our partners and safeguard water availability for Cambodia’s economic development – it is a very important project that will ensure water security for the whole of Cambodia.”

Water scarcity is a major concern for the region which faces many challenges including the reliability and variation of water flow, erosion, and of course climate change.

“Mekong Water Solutions with technical support from Australian expertise in combination with local experiences could effectively solve water issues in the country and in the region. We have many tools developed in Australia that can help with in-country issues such as eWater Source.”

eWater Source is Australia’s own National Hydrological Modelling Platform, developed over thirty years and underpinned by world-class science and technical innovation to provide real-time information on water scarcity and resources. eWater Source is used by governments, decision-makers, water managers, modellers and researchers, in Australia and internationally.

Channpisey is a real champion of support more women and girls into the water sector in Cambodia and in the life of society.

“The woman performs the role of wife, partner, organizer, administrator, director, re-creator, disburser, economist, mother, disciplinarian, teacher, health officer, artist, and queen in the family at the same time. Apart from it, woman plays a key role in the socio-economic development of society.”

“Globally, women have become engines for economic growth. Achieving gender diversity in enterprises is of critical importance to improving business outcomes. Women are often under-represented in the academic and professional fields of engineering, and not enough women have contributed as much as they should be able to the diverse fields of engineering historically and now.”

“For example, at Mekong Water Solutions, I am the only female engineer, so more work needs to be done to support more women and girls in engineering, but we are committed to doing that.”

“We need to encourage women and girls to feel supported to be innovative in the water space, need more value from people around them for their skills by providing more benefits for their hard work, encouraging them to believe in themselves.”

Who are we?

eWater Group is owned by the Australian Federal, State and Territory governments to further develop Australia’s world-class modelling tools and to provide support and training nationwide and internationally.

Our organisation is comprised of three divisions – eWater Solutions, the Australian Water Partnership and the Mekong Water Solutions to deliver water management solutions for communities in Australia and overseas.

We also partner with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and research groups and institutions to provide expertise and support for sustainable water management solutions in Australia and internationally, now and into the future.

Introducing new eWater Source catchment modelling features

S. Azadi ^a, Shiroma Maheepala ^b

^a eWater Group, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia,

^b Vic Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The following abstract was presented at MODSIM 2023, Darwin, 9-14 July.

Abstract: Water is vital for life. Clean freshwater is necessary for drinking and sanitation, providing for crops, livestock, and industry, and creating and sustaining the ecosystems on which all life depends. However, freshwater is becoming scarce in many countries due to human population growth, disruption of natural water cycles in response to human activity, climate change, and poor water management. Australia, as the world’s driest inhabited continent with many different climate zones, has had to deal with many climate-related challenges, from highly variable rainfall and cycles of devastating floods to prolonged drought.

In response, Australia has developed water governance frameworks appropriate to its climate and environment contexts utilizing leading science, innovative technology, and proven water management tools.

In this regard, eWater Source, Australia’s agreed National Hydrological Modelling Platform (NHMP), supports integrated planning, operations, and governance from urban, catchment to river basin scales, including human and ecological influences (https://ewater.org.au/, Dutta et al., 2013). eWater Source accommodates diverse climatic, geographic, water policy and governance settings for both Australian and international climatic conditions (Ly et al., 2020).

Water management often involves monitoring and modelling water quality and quantity; accordingly, water management practices are constantly evolving and improving.

Therefore, eWater Source requires ongoing development to enable eWater Source to meet emerging or specific water management requirements.

Working with the Victorian Government, eWater has added new features to eWater Source to support water quality and catchment modelling, a critical component of good water resources management, including the ability to:

• merge two catchment scenarios to be run as a single scenario,
• specify a catchment map reporting region,
• record flows and constituents in bulk for a specified set of sub-catchments and/or for a specified set of functional units,
• export different model components (such as nodes, links, and sub-catchments) as a spatial layer,
• assess spatial outputs using a mapping tool.

These new features improve the capability of eWater Source catchment modelling at larger spatial scales, provide additional visual diagnostics of spatial outputs and allow a bulk analysis of the water quality and catchment records. Employing Source with these recent enhancements can facilitate the implementation of water management projects in different areas, from the simulation of the interaction between land use changes and water quality and hydrological dynamics to identifying the impacts of alternative development scenarios on water resources.

Email: samira.azadi@ewater.org.au

References

Dutta, D., Wilson, K., Welsh, W., Nicholls, D., Kim, S., Cetin, L., 2013. A new river system modelling tool for the sustainable operational management of water resources. Journal of Environmental Management 121, 13–28.

Ly, K., Metternicht, G., Marshall, L., 2020. Simulation of streamflow and instream loads of total suspended solids and nitrate in a large transboundary river basin using Source model and geospatial analysis 744, article 140656.

Keywords: eWater Source, catchment modelling, water quality modelling, water management

Functionalities in eWater Source to address new challenges in hydrological modelling.

S. Nair¹, J. Moolman¹, Y.Li², S. McCallum³

¹eWater Group, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

²Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

³Western Australia Department for Water and Environmental Regulation

The following abstract was presented at MODSIM 2023 in Darwin 9-14 July.

Abstract: Hydrological modelling is a vital component of the water management toolbox, to stay relevant, modelling tools must evolve to meet the changing needs of water managers, this is particularly evident in the changes needed to respond to the new challenges posed by climate change and its impacts.  Australia has recognised this and responded through the development of eWater Source^® and its adoption as the National Hydrological Modelling Platform (NHMP).

Developed to manage the highly varying water resources in Australia, Source is a crucial tool for climate change adaption. Source helps the water managers and modellers to understand and inform policies regarding environment, codify them, and make operational plans in an efficient way. Source   is a constantly evolving tool, with more capabilities and functionalities added to its toolkit based on changing requirements and feedback from the user community. In this regard, eWater Group is playing a significant role in supporting the environmentally sustainable management of water resources in Australia and around the world.

This paper features two recent enhancements to Source that will support water managers to meet current and emerging challenges of a changing climate.

The uncertainties of climate change require modellers to consider a wide range of scenarios. Working with the Victorian Government, eWater has added new ‘multi-replicate’ or ‘Replicate Analysis’ functionality to Source. Based on functionality in   REALM (Victoria University and Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 2013), the ‘Replicate Analysis’ functionality allows the users to run multiple instances of any Source model with any degree of complexity using the concept of input data recycling to allow modellers to extract each replicate result. This is a useful functionality particularly in understanding the risk of spill in reservoirs under varying climatic conditions. For example, users can test ‘what if’ scenarios such as the reservoir storage and spill conditions if a past rainfall pattern is repeated in a particular year.

The ‘Replicate Analysis’ option is now integrated into Source as one of the run configuration options. Users can define the number of replicates required and the increment of replication and select all or specific data sources to be cycled. For example, if a particular rainfall data is selected and cycled, the resulting multiple downstream flows could be used to analyse the effect of changes in rainfall patterns on the flows.

Farm dams play an important role in helping landowners to manage climate variability. But they can also impact catchment and river hydrology. Source modellers have been able to examine these impacts for several years using the Onstream Farm Dam plugin, this functionality has recently been incorporated into core Source, making it more readily accessible to all Source users.  The new Farm Dams node models the reliability of water diversion from farm dams to agricultural land based on environmental engineering principles (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The node uses inputs and parameters such as dam capacity, demand, rainfall, evaporation, seepage etc. to conduct water balance at every time step.

The adoption of abovementioned functionalities and features help eWater Source to continuously evolve and adapt to new challenges in the realm of water resources management.

Email: sudeep.nair@ewater.org.au; juanita.moolman@ewater.org.au; yong.li@delwp.vic.gov.au; simone.mccallum@dwer.wa.gov.au

References

Government of Western Australia, 2012. Installation and user guide for Farm Dam plugins to eWater Source.

Victoria University and Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 2013. REALM user manual (Edition for REALM Version 6.28) April 2013.

Keywords: eWater Source, NHMP, Replicate Analysis, Onstream Farm Dam, Climate Change