Modelling large scale stormwater harvesting and use

Securing water supplies to meet future urban and peri urban demand, in a sustainable way, is currently very topical in Australia. Stormwater harvesting and use has the potential to meet a portion of future water demand in Australia and provide a means to reduce the impacts of stormwater pollution. However the benefits of utilising stormwater at any particular location in Australia may be uncertain, particularly in terms of harvestable resources, potential demand and environmental services (pollution reduction) provided by a particular scheme. A modelling system has been developed to evaluate stormwater harvesting and use schemes and to provide insight to system configurations, treatment options and storage/demand management options. The system comprises of a stormwater flow and water quality model, harvesting-storage treatment model and water demand model. In addition the system is capable of providing guidance on the quality and quantity aspects of available stormwater resources for a particular location, the environmental service capabilities and the supply reliability. Thus it can be used to support investment, design and operational decisions associated with stormwater harvesting and use and address some of the uncertainty surrounding the potential of Australia's stormwater resources