Sustainable water futures for Melbourne?

As part of Monash University’s prestigious 50th Anniversary Public Lecture Series, the Faculty of Engineering delivered a timely and topical forum on, ‘Sustainable water futures for Melbourne’ on the 22nd of April 2008, at the BMW Edge Theatre at Federation Square.

Over 200 guests including Monash alumni, members of the public, guests from the water and energy industry, Monash staff and students attended, representing a significant interest from the community in new concepts in engineering water solutions.

The panel, chaired by Associate Dean of Research, Engineering, Professor Paul Webley, consisted of leading researchers in the area of sustainable water and environmental engineering from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Senior Research Fellow from the Institute for Sustainable Water Resources and eWater Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Dr Grace Mitchell, presented a challenge in how to select the best mix of options to create Melbourne’s water future, including integrated solutions and a balance of individual tools and large scale technologies.

One of these options, groundwater, was discussed further by Environmental Engineer, Dr Gavin Mudd. It appears that numerous parts of Melbourne have groundwater which is not utilised, such as groundwater found at golf courses. However Dr Mudd indicated that we must be cautious with the quality during injection, storage and extraction. There is major potential for use of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), using either stormwater or recycled water as a resource.

Monash PhD student and researcher, David Flower, from the Institute for Sustainable Water Resources and eWater CRC, provided insights into the role that different household hot water systems play in urban water system greenhouse gas emissions with a case study from Melbourne. David’s case study demonstrated that changing the fuel used to heat water can have the capacity to reduce total per household water-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 78 per cent. “As replacing hot water systems can be expensive, an alternative approach is to reduce hot water consumption, which can be achieved in the shower by reducing duration, temperature and flow rate”, explained David.

Monash PhD student and researcher, David Flower

In essence the researchers at Monash aim to harness the potential of stormwater to overcome water shortages, reduce urban temperatures, and improve the landscape and liveability of Australian cities, explained Associate Professor Ana Deletic. As an example, Ballarat could become its own water supply catchment using stormwater harvesting. In addition vegetated stormwater treatment facilities may also improve the urban microclimate and therefore public health, plus provides infrastructure which enhances social amenity and is likely to be publicly acceptable.

Associate Professor Ana Deletic, researcher, David Flower, Dr Gavin Mudd

This stimulating public lecture suggested that there is no panacea to the water crisis, as Associate Professor Deletic concluded; “We must all employ a range of water solutions if our cities are to become resilient to climate and social pressures.”