Welcome to Urban Water Cycle Solutions

We believe in a better world.
sustainable and equitable ecosystem supports this aim.
Forensic examination of systems provides best knowledge to guide our journey.
Transfer of wisdom derived from courageindependence and honesty is our approach.

Featured Projects

Is zero afflux the question or answer to better flooding outcomes?

Is zero afflux the question or answer to better flooding outcomes?

Presentation by Peter J Coombes and Andrew Allan at HWRS 2022: Is zero afflux the real challenge or solution for better flood management? It is vitally important to establish science and legally based rules for fair administration of the objectives and exploration of options that respond to flood risks. Otherwise, there will be a substantial administrative burden for marginal benefit. Our professionals and agencies need to be prepared for a different and challenging future, and our methods need to be fit for purpose from a whole of society perspective.

Available Storage in Rainwater Tanks – Stormwater Benefits

Impact of rainwater tanks on stormwater infrastructure. What is the available storage in rainwater tanks prior to a rain event that is significant to stormwater infrastructure? The use of design storms is current Australian practice for design of stormwater management...

Systems Analysis of Ballarat Region: Water Grid?

Systems analysis of the Ballarat and connected regions: A first ever systems analysis of the Ballarat region provides a reality check on assumptions underpinning proposed water grids for the state of Victoria. Essentially, it is proposed that a water grid supplies the towns in the Ballarat region by transfer of water from dryer irrigation areas and the water stressed Murray Darling River Basin. Detailed systems analysis of hydrology, water resources, irrigation and urban behaviors across multiple linked water districts provides a wealth of cautionary information about the need for systems analysis to truly understand linked water systems.

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Publications

Benefits, costs and enabling conditions to achieve ‘water for all’ in rural and remote Australia

Benefits, costs and enabling conditions to achieve ‘water for all’ in rural and remote Australia. I am honoured to announce the publication in Nature Water of our multidisciplinry research collaboration into an important challenge of access to good quality water in rural and remote communities.

Application of joint probability to respond to climate change and avoid cumulative extreme assumptions

Application of joint probability to respond to climate change and avoid cumulative extreme assumptions Presentation the Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium at the Hilton George Street Sydney by Professor Peter J Coombes at 12:20 pm on Wednesday 15 November 2023....

Urban Flood Risks, Water Law and Insurance

Urban flood risks, water law and insurance: The intersection of emerging science, practice and authority  By Professor Peter J Coombes Published in Precedent issue 178 - September/October 2023, Journal of the Australian Lawyers Alliance This article discusses the...

SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE ON CHARACTERISING RESILIENCE IN URBAN WATER MARKETS

Results from two decades of accumulated big data and systems analysis of Greater Melbourne and Sydney was investigated to develop insights into the resilience of each city. The key resilience parameters are distributed water sources and conservation in an urban water market, household welfare, government policy and regulation, pricing strategies, total dam storage and supply of desalinated water. These parameters have different levels of impact and significance across the two cities. Further studies are needed to better define the attributes and benefits of these parameters.

An Interesting Year for a Systems Scientist

An interesting year for a systems scientist
It has been an interesting and productive year that included fascinating applied science and policy projects, research activity and contributions legal, economic and planning domains.

Featured Publications

Urban Flood Risks, Water Law and Insurance

Urban Flood Risks, Water Law and Insurance

Urban flood risks, water law and insurance: The intersection of emerging science, practice and authority  By Professor Peter J Coombes Published in Precedent issue 178 - September/October 2023, Journal of the Australian Lawyers Alliance This article discusses the...

The Future of Australian Housing Design

The Future of Australian Housing Design

The Future of Australian Housing Design
Responding to population growth and climate change
Dr Peter Coombes is speaking on the economic advantages of decentralised water and stormwater management at the Rainwater Harvesting breakfast at 7:30 am on Wednesday 27 February 2019 at the Parramatta Novotel.

Tone Wheeler, Principal of Environa Architects will be discussing how architects are, and believe we should be, responding to these challenges. 

Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson will be speaking on the Parramatta Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017

Australia city face escalating challenges of population growth, economic development, decline of ecosystems and climate change. A number of new urban housing challenges have emerged, and western Sydney is experiencing all of them.

Systems Analysis of Water and Sewage Services, Costs and Prices

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

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.

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