Project details
Funded by Griffith University, National water Commission, TRaCK, NRETAS (Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport), Power Water Corporation
Chief Investigator (CI): Malcolm Cox, Joseph Young
GSR researcher: Amy Hawke, Allan James

Project Summary
The Howard East rural area near Darwin has experienced a rapid growth of small block subdivisions and horticulture over the last 40 years, which has been based on groundwater supply. The Territory government (NRETAS) has established a monitoring network, and now 48 bores are monitored, however, there are over 2700 private bores that are unregulated. The area has fine grained sediments overlying a dolomite aquifer and is starting to reflect excessive use.
This application of 3D visualisation using our GVS software is for a two-layer groundwater system, mixed semi-consolidated sediments over a fractured dolomite, in an area with a large increase in bores and water use.
This project produced a conceptual hydrogeological model and developed a 3D visualisation of the groundwater system and borefield. The interactive visualisation tool provided to the community and water planners aids in the understanding of groundwater resources and supports decisions about the management of the system. This included how the different aquifers and systems as a whole operate, responses to seasonal rainfall, and long-term trends in use.

Project details
Funded by Brisbane City Council, SEQ Healthy waterways partnership
Chief Investigator (CI): Prof. Mengersen, Mrs Johnson


Project Summary
In Western Australia recycled water will be introduced in stages. Prior to undertaking the managed aquifer recharge scheduled for 2015, it is planned to first use recycled water for watering ovals, for industrial processes and for agriculture, then to introduce third pipe systems for new residential areas, and finally to use high quality recycled water for recharging the aquifers. The School of Population Health, University of WA, has won a contract with the Premier's Water Foundation to assess the health of recycled water use.
Management decision-making, informed by the associated costs and health risks, is an important focus of this project. The research being conducted by QUT utilises Bayesian approaches to estimate parameters for the nominated pathogens and chemicals of concern in recycled water. QUT is also building an interface prototype linking the estimated parameters to an object oriented Bayesian network (OOBN) which models the recycled water processes. This OOBN will then be expanded to provide a comprehensive risk network for recycled water, able to assess various disease outcomes based on different scenarios and contaminants.

Upper Obi Obi Groundwater investigation, Maleny (2005–08)

Project details
Funded by SEQ Catchments Ltd and Burnett-Mary Regional Group
Chief Investigator (CI): Andrew Todd
GSR researchers: Allan James, Malcolm Cox

Project Summary
This project involved community engagement and hydrogeological assessment of an elevated Basalt flow sequence near Maleny, SE Qld.

It developed a framework for community-based groundwater monitoring, which detailed the community engagement process and compiled nationally recognised methods for standing water level and water quality monitoring. The community engagement process achieved access to monitoring bores, identification of local issues and compilation of local groundwater / surface water knowledge.

Privately owned bores and rainfall were monitored over a 2.5 year period, using community input. The objective was to better understand groundwater system configuration, recharge, discharge and water quality condition in relation to local land use. A 3D visualisation model was developed collaboratively with QUT’s GSR Group to communicate the results of the investigation back to the community, and as a basis for ongoing management of the Maleny groundwater system.

The project was undertaken in collaboration with local community groups, local Council, local water industry and the Qld Dept of Environment & Resource Management.