Presentation by Peter J Coombes at WSUD 2018 & Hydropolis 2018 at 14:00 on Tuesday 13 February 2018, at Crown Towers Perth Western Australia. This paper provides a narrative of insights and experience derived from two decades of monitoring of a sustainable house in the inner city suburb of Carrington in New South Wales. Water efficient appliances, rainwater harvesting, solar panels and battery storage reduced demands for grid water and energy, and provided resources to the grid. Use of rainwater harvesting and edible rain gardens reduced stormwater runoff from the property which has potential impacts to mitigate flooding and improve waterway health.
Blog
Challenging Ideas
Challenging Ideas and New Opportunities. Presentation at the Future Water Association Conference “Shining the Light of the Possible, Exploring the Radical” by Peter Coombes & Michael Barry at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Wednesday 5 December at 3 pm.
Independent Residential Rainwater Harvesting Guide
Independent Residential Rainwater Harvesting Guide. This guideline is provided by Urban Water Cycle Solutions (UWCS) and the Rainwater Harvesting Association of Australia (RHAA) for above ground rainwater harvesting systems connected to residential dwellings in urban areas. This independent design specification is a living document that will be regularly updated in response to evidence, discussions and independent science. The user is encouraged to provide comments and feedback to this webpage for inclusion in the ongoing review process.
Sustainable house performance over two decades
Sustainable house performance over two decades. Peter J Coombes, Presentation at the Stormwater NSW Conference at 11:20 am on 7 September 2017 at Newcastle Convention Centre
Insights from editing Australian Rainfall Runoff Urban Book
Insights from editing the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Urban Book. Peter J Coombes, Steve Rosso, Mark Babister. Presentation at the Stormwater NSW Conference at 4:05 pm on 7 September 2017 at Newcastle Convention Centre
Systems Analysis for Policy and Strategy
Systems frameworks of big data for analysis of policy and strategy. Systems science processes that incorporate macroeconomic analysis of water reforms, and reveal trade-offs in water cycle projects.
Peter J Coombes and Michael Barry. Presentation at the CIWEM seminar at 6 pm on 18 July 2017 at 106-109 Saffron Hill, Farrington, London. EC1N 8QS
Greater Melbourne Alternative Water Plan
Urban Water Cycle Solutions partnered with Kingspan and Thirsty Country to create an alternative water plan for Greater Melbourne. We are pleased to provide an overview of phase 1 of the plan in this Article. We have identified over $16 billion in cumulative savings using systems analysis and historical evidence from Big Data.
New Economy Solutions at Multiple Scales
The new economy of multiple scales of solutions are addressed by our ongoing peer reviewed research over the last 20 years and were presented at a WaterSensitiveSA workshop in December 2016.
International and local water planning
A busy and interesting week hosting an international delegation and presenting an alternative water plan for Greater Melbourne. Some common themes for sustainability, urban water resources, sustainability and agriculture.
Water Supply Needs Competition
Why the Water Supply Needs a Splash of Competition. Article in the Australian Financial Review on 19 January 2017 by Professor P J Coombes with Michael Smit and Dr Katherine Daniell. Australia’s inefficient water monopoly structure is gouging consumers. It is protected by state legislation and bureaucrats with little appetite for change. What’s needed is a radical overhaul of the business philosophy underpinning water services, to allow improved technology and community-led alternatives to cut water costs.