PAST RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Urban Hydrology Program
Program Leader: Prof Tom McMahon,
The University of Melbourne
Core Projects
Publications
A complete list of publications and videos from this program
is available here.
Aim
To better understand urban stormwater pollution processes,
in order to develop methods for estimating pollution loads
and for improving the effectiveness of urban stormwater
pollution control structures.
Background
Urbanisation of a catchment brings about dramatic changes
in hydrology. Runoff volume is typically doubled or tripled,
and stormflow rates increased up to 20 times higher, than
in the pre-urban catchment. This results in more flash
floods and higher peak flow rates. Pollution loads also
increase significantly with urbanisation. This not only
represents an environmental and health hazard in built-up
areas; it also affects water quality and habitat in rivers,
estuaries and coastal waters downstream.
The CRC Urban Hydrology program began in 1993, with
researchers identifying critical research needs, and
establishing field monitoring and theoretical studies
to investigate pollution processes and develop more
effective control techniques. To overcome the lack of
data, the CRC reviewed the findings of 800 studies worldwide.
This analytical research complemented computer-modelling
studies to simulate the behaviour of pollutants and
runoff before and after storms (Project U2). Once researchers
had a clearer picture of how and where pollution was
generated in urban catchments, they were able to develop
methods for estimating runoff and pollution loads for
a range of management objectives.
In the other core project (U1), researchers developed
guidelines for more effective pollution-control structures
such stormwater detention basins, ‘constructed’
wetlands and litter traps. The effectiveness of practices
such as street sweeping on stormwater pollution control
was also examined. Detailed studies carried out at a
stormwater detention basin in Melbourne (Blackburn Lake)
enabled the CRC to develop guidelines for more effective
pond design and management. These guidelines complement
guidelines developed by the CRC on constructed wetlands.
Detailed studies were undertaken in collaboration with
the CRC for Freshwater Ecology on macroinvertebrate
habitat changes resulting from catchment urbanisation
upstream and downstream of the pollution control pond.
The emphasis during the last year of this project was
on technology transfer. Highlights included a series
of industry seminars in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra,
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth on design and construction
of stormwater wetlands to integrate pollution control,
landscaping, urban design, and ecological goals. The
CRC published an industry report to coincide with the
seminars.
Other highlights included the completion of an urban
water-balance model (Aquacycle) that simulates scenarios
for storing and reusing stormwater and wastewater, and
of a pollution ‘mass balance’ for three urban
catchments to help managers identify pollutant sources
more effectively. The CRC also piloted a new short course
for the industry to inform them about recent advances
in stormwater management techniques and to provide them
with the necessary training to design stormwater management
facilities. (Information about the course is available
from Tony Wong).
Planned activities for the new CRC Urban Stormwater
Quality Program involve a whole-of-catchment approach,
encompassing urban hydrology, sustainable land development,
land use planning, urban landscape architecture, and
socioeconomic issues. The main outcome will be a decision
support system that will quantitatively predict the
performance of different stormwater management measures,
and define appropriate design standards for resource
management and economic goals.
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