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10/09/2024 | Policy, Faculty of Science and Technology

Decades of research on Canberra’s water security

Water is vital to our way of life. It’s essential for our health and lifestyles through drinking, cooking and recreation. It’s critical for agriculture, nurturing the foods that end up on our plates. And water is crucial for ecosystem biodiversity, providing habitats for aquatic species and supporting terrestrial plants and creatures.

We draw water from our taps without thinking too much about where it comes from or if it’s safe to drink thanks to decades of research and work to make Canberra’s water safe and reliable. University of Canberra scientists have played a key role in planning and monitoring Canberra’s water since the 1970s, and have built strong partnerships and relationships with government, utility companies, developers and the community. . Over the last 30 years, UC researchers have undertaken a series of projects to investigate and support Canberra’s water supply catchments and iconic urban waterbodies, including Lake Burley Griffin, Lake Tuggeranong, the Murrumbidgee River, Cotter Dam and Catchment, and Lake Ginninderra.

UC has worked in partnership with Icon Water to understand the hydrology and ecology of the Cotter Catchment, which provides much of Canberra’s drinking water, and worked with government to protect and enhance biodiversity in the catchment. Between 2005 and 2012, UC had a joint appointment with Icon Water to lead this work.

UC researchers have investigated the impacts of fire and flood on water quality and sediment inputs and provided guidance to government and utility companies on catchment management during periods of recovery.

UC research has also been integral to ensuring Canberra’s water security, as water supplies come under more pressure with climate change and more severe weather cycles, including drought. We played a significant role in ecological studies during the expansion of the Cotter Dam, which was completed in 2013 and increased the reservoir’s holding capacity from 4GL to 76GL, and our researchers developed environmental flows guidelines to ensure water security and ecological impacts of the dam are effectively managed.

There is a glob al recognition of the critical importance of managing stormwater in our cities, UC researchers’ are leading a new generation of collaborative work on urban waters with ACT Government. This includes investigations to advise government on water quality management of Canberra’s iconic lakes, including Lake Burley Griffin and Lake Tuggeranong, and how to use novel stormwater technologies to enhance water quality and mitigate against the effects of climate change. The work has increased awareness of water quality issues such as nutrient concentrations that contribute to algal blooms, cyanobacterial and faecal coliform levels that can restrict swimming, and heavy metal contamination that may affect fishing.

ACT Government surveys show there is a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for Canberra’s catchments and that knowledge of water quality increases community use of waters for primary contact (such as swimming) and secondary contact (e.g., sailing, kayaking, and fishing).

Water quality and accessibility are not just government challenges – developers, urban designers, utilities, recreational organisations, communities and individuals can all contribute to the safety and security of our water, which is essential for a healthy life.

Research team

Centre for Applied Water Science and other staff within the Faculty of Science and Technology:

Ross Thompson
Fiona Dyer
Mark Lintermans
Rod Ubrihien
Ben Broadhurst
Ben Kefford
Will Higgisson
Duanne White
And previous UC water science staff who have made contributions since the 1970s
Peter Cullen, Martin Thoms, Richard Norris, Sue Nichoils, Gary Jones

‘What would it take to clean up Lake Burley Griffin? We ask the experts’, The RiotACT , 2024

‘Every drop counts’, Uncover Magazine 2023 (pages 22 – 27), 2023

‘Australia's raging fires will create big problems for fresh drinking water’ National Geographic, 2020

'Like a green enamel paint': Lake Tuggeranong cops massive algae bloom’ Canberra Times, 2019

Health and wellbeing Environment

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