Water Research Australia (WaterRA) has successfully secured $482,473 in funding from the National Emergency Management Authority for a project titled “Improved Hydrological Modelling and Analytical Capability to Mitigate Bushfire-Related Risks to Water Security.”
This $2.3 million initiative, with significant co-contributions from all major jurisdictions, aims to develop and implement a framework for assessing, monitoring, and predicting the impacts of bushfires on water quality.
This project will focus on building modelling tools and enhancing analytical laboratory capabilities to strengthen bushfire preparedness and resilience in water supply catchments. The framework will support water utilities and catchment managers in improving preparedness and developing cost-effective risk mitigation strategies.
WaterRA acknowledges the support of emergency management authorities across Australia, with particular thanks to Emergency Management Victoria. The project bid team included Alluvium and ChemCentre, alongside over 15 utility, regulatory, and research partners.
This project aligns with the objectives of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), the Australian Government’s key initiative for disaster resilience and risk reduction. It will contribute to:
1. Enhancing the understanding of natural hazard impacts to inform future disaster risk reduction.
2. Strengthening the resilience, adaptability, and preparedness of governments, communities, and organisations in mitigating disaster impacts.
3. Reducing the exposure to natural hazard risks, minimising the severity of their impacts, and alleviating the recovery burden for governments and vulnerable communities.
Featured image courtesy of Clinton McKenzie, Narrogin
