Our leading edge in water, environment and agriculture technologies.
The earth’s natural environment, its food supply, cities and economies are all fundamentally dependent on water. Its secure supply consistently rates as one of humanity’s biggest strategic challenges as the imbalance between supply and demand, caused by rapid population growth and industrialisation, over-extraction of water, chronic pollution and climate change, grows.
Water innovation is vital to a sustainable future and we take a holistic approach to the three pillars of water productivity and security: water planning, infrastructure and operations (technology), and governance.
We work with farmers, river and catchment managers and water utilities to develop practical solutions for their water challenges in urban and natural environments. Our collaborations in research and development have underpinned advances in water technology and policy including transformation in salinity management, wastewater treatment and remediation, irrigation supply, flood design, basin planning and river restoration.
Research themes
Our research collaborations deliver innovative solutions with transformative outcomes for industry, communities and the environment.
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Agriculture technology
We are developing new technologies and precision agriculture to boost agricultural production and reduce its environmental footprint to advance farm productivity needed to achieve food security for a global population expected to increase from 7.6 billion in 2018 to 9.8 billion by 2050.
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River basins
As many parts of the world face serious threat from water stress, our research provides valuable information and tools for governments, water management agencies and industries managing water in a changing and variable climate.
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Environmental water
To optimise environmental outcomes, our focus is on continual improvement of environmental water decisions by strengthening the quality of available information to support evidence-based decisions.
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Urban water infrastructure
From smarter delivery systems, to remediating and purifying wastewater and understanding the impacts of climate change and population growth on water supply – our research focus takes in the entire water cycle, providing effective, efficient infrastructure.
Collaborate with us
We are client-focussed and collaborative – we work side-by-side with your leaders, engineers and scientists to develop solutions to your challenges.
From complex multi-partner research to student projects and internships, talk to us about your needs for:
- Emerging technologies
- Developing technology strategies
- Technical training
- Engineering customised solutions
- Teaming up with our students
- Creating a talent pipeline through student engagement
- Leveraging our state-of-the-art research facilities
What challenges do you have? Let us help you solve them.
Media enquiries
Prue Gildea
Media Advisor, Melbourne School of Engineering
Telephone: +61 3 9035 4306
Mobile: +61 466 473 741
Email: prue.gildea@unimelb.edu.au
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Quenching water’s thirst for power – understanding the water-energy nexus
Smart energy ideas and technology are helping to meet the growing demand for water.
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Forecasts to recoup more value from water resources
Improving the accuracy of water supply and demand forecasts to provide more precise water deliveries through Australia’s river systems is expected to add millions of dollars to the value of irrigated agriculture and to enhance environmental outcomes.
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A paradigm shift in flood risk assessments
Associate Professor Rory Nathan explains his work in assessing the risk of sewage spills for Melbourne's sewerage system.
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Wastewater surveillance to provide early warning of COVID-19 outbreaks
Victoria is launching a monitoring system to track the movement of COVID-19 in the state’s population by identifying the presence of the coronavirus in the sewerage system.
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Climate-proofing the urban water supply
University of Melbourne researchers have joined an international collaboration with Indian institutions to protect diminishing clean water supplies by harnessing new water sources that are currently only partially, or not at all, tapped.
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Momentum grows for diversified water supplies
As the global population continually grows and a changing climate brings highly variable rainfall, pressure is building – both locally and internationally – to secure more reliable water supplies.
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Monitoring crop growth from the skies above
Aerial hyperspectral imaging and modelling techniques are being developed to help growers better evaluate stress on their crops.
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New strategies lift women’s role in solving water challenges
In many developing countries, improving access to water can be life-changing, particularly for women.
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Benefits flow from water collaborations
With experience in both water policy and operations, Dr Sharon Davis is identifying opportunities and building capacity for Melbourne School of Engineering to partner with government and industry – for community benefit.
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Expert panel discuss water resources and bushfire responses
Securing water supplies for towns and cities in the face of major bushfires could rely on the increased use of technology to more quickly identify fire events and increase the speed of response.
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Irrigation network automation improves efficiency and water productivity
Gravity has powered the distribution of water in agricultural districts for millennia. Enhanced by Australian innovations, several large-scale gravity-fed irrigation networks are now delivering water to farms more efficiently, leading to improved productivity of limited water resources.
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How did it come to this?
The death of up to a million fish on a stretch of the Darling River highlights the need for the full implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, industry and government to provide evidence-based insights and raise the quality of debate around key issues in water security.
- Wednesday 12:00pm - 1:00pmUnintended Impacts of Poor Water Quality on Animal Health and Production
- WednesdayRecent changes in Victorian rainfall and runoff – findings and implications
WednesdayChanging nature of water-energy: online panel discussion- WednesdayCOVID-19 wastewater surveillance: an online panel discussion
- WednesdayAre our cities ready for a diversified water supply in future?
- WednesdayGender equality in the water sector
- TuesdayImpacts of recent bush fires on water resources
- WednesdayONE Basin Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Roadshow
- ThursdayEnvironmental Outcomes from the Basin Plan
- ThursdayRiver Murray System Operations
- WednesdayContaminants of Emerging Concern
- ThursdayThe Melbourne Region Healthy Waterways Strategy
- ThursdayReturning flow to the Murray Darling
- ThursdayImplications for water storage
- ThursdayMurray-Darling Truths
