Welcome to Urban Water Cycle Solutions
We believe in a better world.
A sustainable and equitable ecosystem supports this aim.
Forensic examination of systems provides best knowledge to guide our journey.
Transfer of wisdom derived from courage, independence and honesty is our approach.
Featured Projects
Water Quality in Rainwater Tanks – Microbiology
Longitudinal sampling from rainwater tanks throughout Australia was employed to analyse the microbial ecosystems in water supplies. Epidemiological research indicates that drinking rainwater does not create averse health impacts. The concept that domestic rainwater storage tanks may host sustainable microbial ecosystems that improve water quality has not previously been addressed. The bacterial diversity, cultivated from more than 80 samples from 22 tanks at various locations across eastern Australia, is presented as evidence of potential operation of a functional micro-ecology within rainwater storage systems. In combination with low abundance of bacteria associated with faecal contamination, the results indicate high quality water and beneficial ecosystem processes. A recent presentation to the RHAA on water quality processes in rainwater harvesting systems is also provided.
Renaissance Rise at Mernda
The water sensitive urban design (WSUD) development includes a unique stormwater treatment train that includes rainwater tanks, protection of old river red gums in multiple purpose rain gardens, bio-retention swales and restored waterways.
Review of the Hill End Water and Sewerage Scheme
The township of Hill End was established during the 1880s due to the discovery of gold in the area and in 1967 part of the town known as the historical village of Hill End was proclaimed as a historical site. Hillend is located about 70 km northwest of Bathurst and 69 km south of Mudgee.
Sydney Water Alternative Water Strategy – A vision of what is possible and a road map to get there
The purpose of this investigation was to provide an alternative view of the potential for water cycle management throughout the Greater Sydney region and the role of Sydney Water Corporation (SWC).
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Featured Publications
Systems Analysis of Water and Sewage Services, Costs and Prices
Bottom up systems analysis of urban water resources and market mechanisms for pricing water and sewage services
Presentation Peter J Coombes, Michael Barry and Michael Smit at the HWRS 2018 conference in Melbourne at 11:00 am on Tuesday 3 December 2018. Consumers in the Greater Melbourne region pay uniform fixed and variable tariffs for utility water and sewage services. Removing fixed tariffs creates substantial reductions in water demands and improvements in water security to 2050 at a net present value of $8.6 billion. A full usage tariff regime was seen to increase water efficient behaviours and reveals improvements in household welfare.
ARR 2016 Urban Book workshop at HWRS2018
Australian Rainfall & Runoff 2016 Urban Book workshop at the Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium
Workshop by Peter Coombes, Steve Roso and Mark Babister at 11 am on Monday 3 December 2018 at Ballroom 3 Pullman Hotel 192 Wellington Pde Melbourne.
Introduction to Australian Rainfall & Runoff 2016 Urban Book workshop
Introduction to Australian Rainfall & Runoff 2016 Urban Book workshop by Peter Coombes and Steve Roso at 1 pm on Thursday 18 October 2018 at Reg Sparks Room, Sporting Car Club of SA, 51 King William Road, Unley. Join the authors and editors of Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) Urban Book as they cover the philosophy and application of ARR in urban catchments.
Direct Rain Investigation and Urban Stormwater Design
Presentation by Peter Coombes, Mark Colegate and Sophia Buchanan at Stormwater 2018 conference at 3:45 pm on Wednesday 10 October 2018. Urban stormwater catchments can be subject to complex hydrological and hydraulic responses that are driven by unresolved sub-catchment influences, flow pathways and local depression storages. This paper provides an overview of the processes to define complex urban hydrology, establish evidence based targets for urban catchments and design of detention basins using ARR2016 resources.
