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Water Research Review2014/2015
Inte
rnat
iona
l aid
and
spo
nsor
ed w
ater
pro
gram
mes
Stakeholder engagem
ent opportunitiesregarding w
ater challenges
NER
C strategy partners likely - S
evernTrent, B
P, Shell - can explore challenges
Advising on facilitating partnerships -
water stew
ardship/governance
Advise governm
ent alternative financingsolution to building infrastructure
Working w
ithin DB
, PP
P, DB
Oteam
s for desalination
Risk assessm
ents on existing
and new supply projects
Value of natural
eco system
Surface w
ater managem
ent
for water quality
Whole catchm
ent modelling:
water resources, w
ater cycle
Water cycle m
anagement vs hard
infrastructure, 'design with w
ater'
Clim
atic/hydrological
studies
Water dem
and
managem
ent
Water resources
assessment
Land use planning
and water
Monitor im
pacts over-extraction
through groundwater m
odelling
Holistic m
anagement
of whole w
ater cycle
Water
auditsCatchm
ent: resource/ assessment/
managem
ent studies
Studies into the ground 'asset'
and design of mitigation
Imposed m
igration - identification
of regions with natural resources
International waters as
a specific business area
Advise government on cross-border
policy and water sharing arrangements
Use of oceans for heat sinks, CO2
reduction & water awareness raising
Political differences
'wars'
Trans boundary: taking sides
and fall out - stressed politics
Trans boundary: horizon scan
of water sensitive/strife areas
Trans boundary: political invest,
security of funding in the long-term
Coastal engineering
and flood defences
Concern for coastal flooding leading to
RFDs on CC resilience for transport
Advising government on downstream
impacts of dams on river systems
Water as connector: wildlife
corridors, transport, urban form
Transport navigation
Creating port infrastructure
Catchment planning
Strategic water management
plans for citiesPopulation movement
studies
Asset management of
existing infrastructureLack of governance and
funding from 'cities'Water and climate change resilience
perspective for future city designHierarchy of change: demographics,
climate & environment, market Develop and promote a 'water & people' agenda
Influence gov policy to entice behavioural change
Fully integrated water reuse systems for cities
Carbon foot-printing urban water supply
Missing transition to focus on small-scale and incremental
Conflict with 'natural habitats'
designated sites & eco/conservationists
Water sensitive urban
planning - retrofit models
Mega cities catchment
scale and security
Influence policy
in cities
Mega cities - challenge
status-quo
Comprehensive population/
city planning
Potential of aggregating small
scale action: funding, supply
Treatment of effluents for re-use - to be
used on process water, grey water, etc.
Water recycling in new developments,
campus & eco-districts
Industrial water reduction
service model (sole source)
Alternative water : share Arup capacity
and good practice from global coverage
Storm water harvesting
system design
Resource factories - energy, h
eat,
resources, nutrie
nts
Direct potable
re-use
Fracking and
water use
Respond to
the s
hort
term politic
al agen
da
Energy r
educ
tion
in dem
and
Low en
ergy t
echn
ologie
s
for fre
sh pota
ble wate
r
Energ
y effic
ient
desa
linati
on
Integ
rated
wate
r and
ener
gy m
arke
t offe
rings
Nuclea
r and
water
use
Ener
gy re
cove
ry fr
om w
ater
and
treat
men
t sys
tem
s
Heat t
reat
men
t
netw
orks
Ener
gy e
fficien
cy fo
r
wat
er tr
eatm
ent
Indu
stry
CSR
: wat
er/
ener
gy/w
aste
Lo
w g
rade
hea
t
sour
ces/
sinks
Ener
gy tr
ansit
ion
- wat
er
infra
stru
ctur
e, le
gacy
- re
-use
Proc
ess
heat
utilis
atio
n
Cos
t of e
nerg
y vs
.
cost
of w
ater
Com
mun
ity e
ngag
emen
t
rega
rdin
g w
ater
as
an a
sset
Cre
ate
a vi
rtual
wor
ld a
nd s
ell '
conc
ept'
and
'act
ual'
dece
ntra
lised
wat
erK
now
ledg
e tra
nsfe
r fro
m
dece
ntra
lised
ene
rgy
netw
orks
Loca
l and
dec
entr
al w
ater
, int
egra
ted
wat
er m
anag
emen
t eng
inee
ring
Com
mun
ity to
olki
ts a
nd s
chem
es
right
sol
utio
ns fo
r site
con
stra
ints
Dec
entr
alis
ed w
ater
sup
plie
s: n
ewm
odel
s to
sup
ply
mun
icip
al w
ater
Bot
tom
up
and
top
dow
n in
frast
ruct
ure
Glo
bal c
orps
and
glo
balis
edca
pita
l vs
loca
l man
agem
ent
Loca
l and
dece
ntra
lised
wat
er
Initiate an OPA
L debate on food and w
ater (urgent)
Suitability of crops for different clim
ates due to water stress
Efficient irrigation for food
production, water/energy/food
Agriculture w
ater efficiency
and water rights m
anagement
Food and energy production, water
efficiency, cost savings, embedded w
ater
Land, food, water, energy - nexus
we need m
ore expertise here
Opportunities
around food
Irrigation techniques for crops that
minim
ise water consum
ption
Map pharm
a
water globally
Waste w
ater treatment
for pharma pollution
Manage visualise
and use client data
Smart w
ater metering
AMR
, AMI
Integrated spatially based
data managem
ent of data
Catchm
ent
monitoring
Smart control of w
ater
ways to relieve flooding risk
Smart m
etering,
information m
anagement
Big data
capture and analysis
Space, earth observation
data - managing the catchm
ent
technology, readiness (integration of
technology) support to supply chain
Systems approach, inter m
odelling,
catchment scale, m
ega city scale
Data analytics, data -
information - decision support
Smart water and more
integrated city systems
Smart metering and
smart hydraulic modelling
“Smart cities to smart
catchment” using span source
Storm water, ageing infrastructure
and combined sewer overflows
Asset management - critical
failure and business risk
Developing design codes
for resilient infrastructure
Eliminate mitigation
and resilience
Material selection and
reducing replacement costs
Address inconsistent and incoherent
approach to asset management
Design in response to climate
change with geoengineering
Mapping natural
infrastructure opportunities
Green infrastructure analytics:
environmental restoration and enhancement
Integrated economic assessment/
planning of infrastructure
Combine social and natural capital
models, ecosystem services, social ROI
Collaboration with others on
ecosystem services qualification
City scale resilience, scale
interventions and interdependencies
"Totex" evaluation of impacts & benefits
Create a 'capitals' framework embracing economy and extending to social and natural
Bio mimicry to heal ageing infrastructure
Rehabilitation of water infrastructure
New approaches to address financing of ageing assets
Health & wellbeing -
public health
New generation
infrastructure
Adaptive infrastructure - building
in community & change
Maintain serviceability of
US water infrastructure
Water banking
in aquifers
Green infrastructure
and natural capital
Ecosystem
services
Population shifts - resilient
and flexible infrastructure
Capital models and
value of water
Future economic/
value trends - forecastDelivering 'whole life
benefits'
rather than min 'whole life
costs'Low maintenance materials/
networks for water supply
New entrants in this
space : P
WC, McKinsle
yManaging water a
t
source - h
olistically
Policy, desig
n,
planning
Building design (s
elf-su
fficien
t) in
term
s of w
ater/e
nergy c
onsumptio
n
Toward
s zero
wate
r - no
n-wate
r
solut
ions - b
reakin
g the m
odel
Share
best p
ractic
e effic
iently
with
in
Arup
whe
re reg
ulator
y les
sons
share
d
Horizo
n sca
n of u
pcom
ing ch
ange
s &
solut
ions f
or cl
ients
- brie
fing p
acks
Chang
e of d
irecti
on
in m
arke
ts if u
nsigh
ted
'Tra
nslat
ing re
gulat
ion a
nd le
gislat
ion -
so w
hat?
' guid
e with
Aru
p Le
gal
Using
our r
esea
rch
and
know
ledge
to
influ
ence
poli
cy -
thou
ght le
ader
ship
Impr
oving
con
sum
ption
rate
s
Do w
e re
view
all o
ppor
tuni
ties
for a
pps,
sof
twar
e an
d IP
?
Wat
er w
isdom
: sm
art,
secu
rity,
meg
a ci
ty, c
c im
pact
s, re
sour
ces
Educ
atio
n : e
xplo
it ES
RC re
latio
nshi
p
beha
viour
cha
nge
& at
titud
es to
wat
er
Esta
blish
ing
a 'v
alue
of w
ater
' blo
g an
d
kno
wle
dge
porta
l to
prom
ote
exch
ange
Advis
e go
vern
men
t on
educ
atio
n
and
wat
er a
war
enes
s ra
isin
g
Valu
e? a
ltern
ativ
e
ski
ll to
adv
ocat
e?
Not
hav
ing
right
sta
ff an
d kn
owle
dge
Wat
er a
cces
s pr
ojec
ts in
und
er-d
evel
oped
regi
ons
Priv
atis
ed d
eliv
ery
of w
ater
trea
tmen
t in
deve
lopi
ng c
ount
ries
PD
P's
in d
evel
opin
g co
untr
ies
for a
sset
man
agem
ent
Hea
lth a
nd s
anita
tion
in d
evel
opin
g co
untr
ies
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Water resources & ecoystems
Inter
natio
nal w
ater
Coa
stal
& tr
ansp
ort
Citi
es &
dem
ogra
phic
s
Water & energy
Decentralised water Food
waterPharma
Recycling and re-use
Smart water &
data
Resilient Infrastructure A
sset Managem
ent
Water & housing
& legislation
Regulation
Education & knowledge
Developing countries
Funding infrastructure
Stewardship & partnering
Water & energy
Resilient infrastructure
Cities &
dem
ogra
phic
s
Decentralised water, recycling and re-use
Water resources & ecosystem
services
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Sm
art w
ater &
data
First principles city (m
aximum
use of gravity)
Rethink relationship
between w
ater and energy
Working w
ithclim
ate change
Wise use
of water
Impacts of ageing
populations
Assessm
ent of critical
infrastructure
City real-tim
e,
smart data, M
IF
Water and
healthSmart products, fully integrated G
IS
model to inform
decision making
Smart data
spider
Future infrastructure
requirements for cities
Energy storage
Catchment
scale BIM
Human environmental services
like animals in the eco-system
Use of forecast data: predictive
asset managementIntelligent asset
management
Digital environments
Making use of earth observation data
Future ways of working across supply chains
Local information to support local planning
True understanding of
natural flood management
Asset management
of natural systems
Catchment
sciences
Working with
climate change
Water economics and
valuing the environment
Intelligent asset m
anagement: resilie
nce
and natural syste
ms functionality
Over-natu
ralisat
ion: deve
lop ecosys
tems
for benefits
beyond the natural st
ate.
Develo
pment o
f perf
orman
ce data
-
bases
for n
atural
infra
struc
ture
Econ
omics
or
recyc
ling
and
re-us
e
Wha
t is th
e
busin
ess c
ase?
Wha
t can
be
learn
t fro
m
dece
ntra
lisat
ion
in o
ther
utili
ties?
Publ
ic p
erce
ptio
ns o
f
blac
kwat
er b
arrie
rsSu
stai
nabl
e be
havi
ours
link
ed to
new
tech
nolo
gies
and
bui
ldin
g sy
stem
sIn
fluen
cing
polic
y
Opt
ions
var
iabi
lity,
feas
ibilit
y an
d
rule
s of
thum
b w
ith s
cale
.
Resource
factories
Future of the supply chain andim
proving approaches to PP
Ps
Com
munity guidance
for decentralised projects
Water econom
ics and
valuing the environment
Water and w
aste --water facility
of the future: urban and-- rural
Sim
ulating population,
demographics and living habits
Understanding future infrastructure
requirements for cities
Mapping m
etrics,
now and in the future
Retrofitting
energy / water
Catchment scenarios
modelling - efficient investm
ent
Impacts of
ageing populations
Wise use
of water
Impacts of buildings, infrastructure
and technology on wellbeing
Bio-regional planning, value
and benefits of ecosystems
Zero water technology
Exploring innovative land uses
Valuing water and wellbeing (£)
Asset management of natural systems
Establish techniques and evidence base for SROI of water infrastructure
Water, economics and valuing the environment
Combine
capital models
Catchment
sciences
Over-naturalisation: develop ecosystems
for benefits beyond the natural state
Direct and indirect virtual
water in energy productionAdvanced energy re
covery
systems from waste water
Harvestin
g heat across
the water c
ycle
Energy g
enera
tion - a
batemen
t
curve
s to ad
dress w
ater s
carci
ty
Optimisa
tion t
ools
for ne
twor
ks an
d
risk s
cena
rio plan
ning
Develo
ping
fram
ewor
k for
und
ersta
nding
equ
ivalen
ce
Lear
ning
from
ene
rgy
retro
fit in
cent
ives
ESC
OS
& W
SCO
S s
yner
gies
Ener
gy p
rodu
ctio
n, w
ater
requ
irem
ents
loca
l & re
mot
e
Inte
grat
ion
of e
nerg
y st
orag
e
into
the
wat
er c
ycle
Tool
kit f
or c
ity w
ide
low
gra
de
hea
t map
ping
- s
cena
rio te
stin
g
Water Research RoadmapTheme Prioritisation
Short term
Medium term
Long term
1
6
Priority for research activity
Low
High
3
4
5
1
6
3
4
5
1
2
1
2
Integrated water cycle
Wastewater
Water supply Flooding
Economy Place & Community C
limate C
hange
F
ood
& Ag
ricult
ure
Habitat & B
iodiversity Energy & Carbon Health & W
ellbe
ing
2
This report has been produced by the Water Skills Network and the Arup Foresight + Research + Innovation team.
The Arup F+R+I team identifies and monitors the trends and issues likely to have a significant impact upon the built environment and society at large. We research and raise awareness about the major challenges affecting the built environment and their implications. We help clients think more creatively about the long-term future and manage risk and uncertainty more effectively.
Water Research Review 2014/2015
1. Introduction
Water Research Review 2014/2015
The Water Skill Network and the Water Business within Arup have worked collaboratively with our Foresight + Research + Innovation team to review the Water Research portfolio over 2014/2015. The objective of the review was to:
- Capture all water related research undertaken during 2014/15- Analyse the research undertaken- Identify lessons learned that can be taken forward to
the 2015/16 research programme - Showcase some of the highlights of the research undertaken
The review was completed by Justin Abbott (Global Water Skills Lead), Marta Fernandez, David Hetherington and Jenna Beckett.
4
2. Our Skills Network
Water Research Review 2014/2015
Water skills are integral to most of Arup’s activity; either supporting our work direct with water clients, advising our clients on water resilience in a changing climate; or providing advisory services where water is increasingly recognised as a key risk in decision making. We see emerging themes as:
˗ Resilience to too much and too little water and extreme events.
˗ Incremental change e.g. global sea level rise impacting on communities and livelihoods.
˗ An increasing focus on smart water management and big data.
˗ The perceived value of water within both the urban space and the rural catchment with an increasing interest in social and natural capital.
˗ Asset management of deteriorating water infrastructure.˗ Catchment-based responses to address resilience and
climate change adaptation.˗ Increasing tensions over allocation of water.˗ The identification and treatment of “new” pollutants,
e.g. nano-particulates.
Our Network
Our Water Skills Network is currently over 1400 strong. The network forum is very active and reflects a vibrant community of expertise, that allows us to access global knowledge for the benefit of our clients. Our vision is to grow the network, focussing on those areas outside the UK, where network numbers are already healthy
Global1440 people
Arup’s Water Skills Network (2015)
UKMEA800
Australasia130
Americas130
East Asia200
Europe180
5
3. Research Topics
In 2013 the Water Business and Water Skill Network put together a research strategy early in the financial year to identify the priority areas for investment.
This was inspired by the 3 year global research roadmap outcomes and rationalised to respond to immediate business needs.
The agenda was shared with the water skill network community to invite applications in the prioritised areas.
Water Research Review 2014/2015
Research theme Research projects Prioritisation
Resilient infrastructure (inc ecosystems used for functionality)
Improving resilience of coastal and river areas, value of water, economics of resilience 5
SMART Water and SMART DataInnovative solutions that reduce costs, big data, ideas for efficient cities, GIS database applications
4
Water & Energy Hazards of underground caverns, HEP, reservoirs, combined utility centres 4
Integrated Water Management Cost benefits of solutions 4
Water Resources & Eco-system Services Water security, regional issues eg California 3
Decentralised Water Recycling and Re-useStrategic Major Opportunities with Operators, business case for industrial water re-use
3
Regulation & Legislation Governance 2
Pharma Water (inc nano technology) Applications for graphene 1
Cities & Demographics Water and people agenda 1
Coastal & Transport Implications of global sea level rise 0
Funding Infrastructure Different models inc BOT. DBFO 0
Education & Knowledge Better knowledge harvesting and water research roadmapping 0
Stewardship & PartneringExplore third sector and multi-agency issues through Design with Water framework (maybe ESRC)
0
International Water (inc Transboundary) Large scale water rights issues eg Colorado, Murray Darling 0
Water & Housing Explore crossover with Public Health research and plumbing 0
Food Food-Water-Energy Nexus around sewage sludge, food waste and farm slurry 0
Developing Countries Understand role in disease avoidance of different treatment solutions 0
6
Projects have been reviewed to assess which subject of the water research strategy they focused on. A significant area of research this financial year has focused on Flooding. This in part is due to the Global Research Challenge call for 2014 which was titled ‘Cities, Flooding and Sea Level Rise’.
The chart shows the distribution of funding across different topics.
Water Research Review 2014/2015
Funding distribution per topic
Smart Water 1% Water reuse 1% Stewardship 1%
Water Risk 3%
Urban water 5%
Water resources 6%
Water and Energy 6%
Wastewater 10%
Resilience 11%
Catchment Management 12%
Flooding 19%
Green infrastructure 25%
3. Research Topics continued
7
4. Collaborations
In many cases external engagement with private or public sector partners or academic institutions is needed to speed up development, leverage funding and maximise the value from investments. Collaboration with private sector partners provides an opportunity develop relationships with current and potential clients.
There were 10 collaborative projects and over 50% of those involved public authorities.
The figure maps the types of collaborations and the amount of funding invested for each type of collaboration.
Water Research Review 2014/2015
The partners that have been engaged in projects this year include:
UniversitiesBirkbeck College, UKMEALeeds University, UKMEANewcastle University, UKMEAOld Dominion University (Virginia), AmericasSouthampton University, UKMEASwansea University, UKMEAUCL, UKMEAYork University, UKMEA
Research CentresHeinz CentreSavory Institute
Public bodiesCities of Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, NorfolkWastewater lagoon operators in AustraliaNational disaster preparedness training centreNatural Resources Wales
CompaniesArgos AnalyticsESASainbury’s plc
8
Appendix 1. Research projects
Water Research Review 2014/2015
ID Project Title Fund Name PD PM Region
9859 Sustainable Drainage Design Guidelines - Hong Kong East Asia Research Fergal Whyte Mathew Bamm East Asia
9934 Arup Scene - online tool for collaborative planning and infrastructure delivery UKMEA Research Wayne Dyer Timothy Durant UKMEA
9940 Underperforming wastewater lagoons in Australia Australasia Research Daniel Lambert Niruma Akhter Australasia
9945 Physical vs computational hydraulic models - PHASE 2 UKMEA Research Rachel Sandham David Neeve UKMEA
9958 CSIC - whole-life assessment of infrastructure and future-proofing infrastructure Global Research Duncan Nicholson Heleni Pantelidou UKMEA
9987 SPLASH I/O UKMEA Research Martin Shouler Kristian Steele UKMEA
10097 Real-time natural disaster, risk alert system - HazardOwl Phase II Global Research Tim Mote Roland Martin East Asia
10116 Green infrastructure - develop conceptual model to quantify its value Global Research Vincent Lee Louise Ellis Americas
10131 Flood Damages Calculation Tool - develop and test update Global Research Catherine Wenger Jo Nelson UKMEA
10167 Southern Gateway, Birmingham - enhancing project outputs Global Research Nigel Ridgway Faye Beaman UKMEA
10171 CASE 2014 Accurate and efficient application of CFD free-surface Hydraulic Modelling Global Research Mark Fletcher David Neeve UKMEA
10215 LEED Rainwater & Waste Water Calculation Tool Americas Research Cameron Thomson Alan Glynn Americas
10279 App development for geomorphological field surveys UKMEA Research Will McBain Sally German UKMEA
10318 IBuild and Blue Green cities project support and associated research activities. UKMEA Research Andy Mace David Hetherington UKMEA
10387 Urban water management in small island states - develop a sust. and resilient framework Global Research Justin Abbott Geoffrey Morgan UKMEA
10404 Rainwater Harvesting Analytics with GIS (RHAG) Americas Research Rowan Roderick-Jones Kate Tunstall Americas
10413 Interactive Watershed Planning - version 2 Americas Research Rowan Roderick-Jones Bond Harper Americas
10443 Sheffield interactive flood visualisation Global Research Justin Abbott Llew Hancock UKMEA
10461 Mapping our green infrastructure capacity in a digital environment Global Research Justin Abbott Michael O'Neill Australasia
10478 Strategic Flooding Method for Critical Railway/Water Environment Interface Zones Europe Research Declan Bowles Ailis Power Europe
10503 Investigation of hashtag (#flood) trending for insights Global Research Faye Beaman Alison Caldwell UKMEA
10504 Retrofitting Rivers Tool - Excel paired with GIS for SUDS locations Global Research Faye Beaman Alison Caldwell UKMEA
10528 Resilience-based flood design - develop a framework for implementation Global Research Ibbi Almufti Yana Waldman Americas
10599 Low Carbon Infrastructure UKMEA Research Tim Chapman Heleni Pantelidou UKMEA
10651 Energy and PH/ESE systems UKMEA Research Martin Shouler Fabio Coelho UKMEA
10657 Engaging Singapore Government in Smart Cities Initiatives Australasia Research Henry Jeens Alma Banuelos Granda East Asia
10679 Development of a tool to optimise the location of wastewater outfall Global Research Daniel Lambert Ed Beling Australasia
10681 Energy Optimisation in WWTP Australasia Skills Daniel Lambert Rhys Anderson Australasia
10694 ESE BIM tools development UKMEA Research Martin Shouler Kate Fletcher UKMEA
10701 Natural Flood Management - turning science into implementation Global Research Andy Mace David Hetherington UKMEA
9
Water Research Review 2014/2015
ID Project Title Fund Name PD PM Region
10724 SuDS DTX Project - Phase 2 Application UKMEA Research Catherine Wenger Richard Brown UKMEA
10776 Development of a mapping tool to determine priority locations for Natural Flood Management features Global Research Will McBain Alex Nicholson UKMEA
10782 Infrastructure BIM - Information Modelling Global Research Nigel Wooldridge Ioan Evans UKMEA
10878 GRC 2014-Call 2- cities and sea level rise: flood hazard assessment and adaptation toolkits Global Research David Wilkes Donald Daly UKMEA
10916 Climate Plus: beyond readiness in coastal cities Global Research Cole Roberts Rowan Roderick-Jones Americas
10924 Ecodistricts Founding Partner: Year 2 Americas Research Fiona Cousins Afaan Naqvi Americas
10946 Easy Sediment Transport Assessment Tool (E-STAT) Global Research Andy Mace David Hetherington UKMEA
10967 Management of critical interfaces between natural and modified sections of mountain rivers Global Research Jacek Zalewski Tomasz Glixelli Europe
11003 Intelligent asset management of green infrastructure - predictive analytics Global Research Vincent Lee Jenna Browning Americas
11046 Bay Meadows post construction stormwater quality testing Americas Research Grant McInnes Jacob Wood Americas
11078 Hydropower tunnels for hydroelectric schemes - strategy for design capability Global Research Jon Hurt Sean Lee Americas
11083 Anaerobic treatment of sewage - maximising energy recovery Global Research Vincent Glancy Darryl How UKMEA
11155 Water Neutral Development - develop a business model Global Research Andy Simmans Andy Simmans UKMEA
11261 Flood warning and forecasting - review better use weather data Global Research Kenneth Kwok Yuvi Luo East Asia
11270 Water Stewardship - review of corporate approaches Global Research Justin Abbott Kate Jackson UKMEA
11282 Arup EngD: The application of ICT tools for water and sanitation in informal settlements Global Research Ian Carradice Vera Bukachi UKMEA
11300 Urban flood modelling using Flood Modeller Pro - comparison to ISIS-Tuflow Global Research Catherine Wenger Lei Yang UKMEA
11302 Floating solar PV - develop design of foundation Global Research Joe Strydom Auret Basson UKMEA
11317 Resilience through Smart City Initiatives Global Research Garry Banks Alison Ball UKMEA
11337 Working with nature to mitigate extreme hydrological events - case study of Natural Flood Management Global Research Catherine Wenger Candice Constantine UKMEA
11339 Shale gas production - review of well integrity and deep contamination issues Global Research Duncan Nicholson Michael Chendorain UKMEA
11429 Assessment of the Integration of Ecosystem Services in the Urban Metabolism approach Europe Research Ramon Rodriguez Susana Saiz Europe
11431 Sediment systems downstream of reservoirs - develop monitoring methodology Global Research Will McBain Sally German UKMEA
11432 Field apps - development of post-processing tools Global Research Will McBain Sally German UKMEA
11461 Real-time monitoring of water quality in urban waterways (to inform of swimmability) Global Research Justin Abbott Michael O'Neill Australasia
11493 Urban ecosystem services - start a reference and resource guide Global Research Gordon Richardson Rory Canavan UKMEA
10573 Sewer heat recovery - research, develop and test methodology for resource mapping Global Research Justin Abbott Richard Mizzi UKMEA
10533 Natural Systems - business case analysis to improve drinking water quality Global Research Justin Abbott Ed Beling Australasia
10966 Dams and risk - capacity building Global Research Rachel Sandham Mike Dobson UKMEA
11612 Water Drivers of Change Cards Update Global Research Mark Fletcher Justin Abbott UKMEA
Appendix 1. Research projects continued
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Appendix 2. Overview of selected research projects from 2014/15
Three projects have been selected for each of the topic areas. The description provides an overview of the objectives of the project and the findings.
Water Research Review 2014/2015
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We investigated the use of social media for engineering reconnaissance through monitoring the real-time activity of specific hashtags. The study explored the use of the popular hashtags, such as #flood, #flooding and #storm, across different social media platforms (twitter, Facebook etc.) to give an insight into how these hashtags are generated, gain following and trend.
This study focused on the use of hashtags prior to, during and following a disaster, providing insight into how social media is used in disaster management. Additional analysis of users, context of hashtag, frequency of use, geographic projection and variations in social media platforms provides an increased awareness and understanding of hashtags, thereby potentially enabling us to harness the power of social media to benefit clients and projects.
We developed the “resilience-plus” concept adding externally facing knowledge to inform resilience planning for high value and low capacity shorelines. Building on past work, resilience-plus reaches beyond the traditional concept of resilience, i.e. “bouncing back”, rather focusing how communities can achieve aspirational goals and thrive through resilience planning. The project looks at coastal city co-beneficial infrastructure, developed in response to multi-hazards. This research aids curricula for teaching coastal “resilience-plus” approaches to cities and practitioners. The end results of the work also include the development of future IDF curves from global climate models for use in more accurately modelling future flood risk.
“Resilience Plus” research pinpoints Arup as a recognised expert in coastal climate readiness training and provides business opportunities via training to various cities.
Flood Damages Calculation Tool Investigation of hashtag (#flood) trending for insights Resilience Plus: beyond readiness in coastal cities
Project ID: 10916 | PD: Cole Roberts | PM: Rowan Roderick-JonesProject ID: 10503 | PD: Faye Beaman | PM: Alison CaldwellProject ID: 10131 | PD: Catherine Wenger | PM: Yvonne Murphy
We developed a GIS tool that uses the latest flood damages evaluation data to calculate whole life damages for properties in multiple flood event scenarios and epochs. The results can also be easily visualised spatially as the calculations are all integrated in GIS software. Whole life calculations are a vital step in the overall understanding of option damages and resilience to climate change. This data underpins the industry best practice method of calculating damage due to flooding, required by our key clients for Flood Risk Management schemes. Being able to extract this data efficiently is vital to completing our appraisals accurately in a timely manner and being able to map the results spatially adds to the team and client's understanding of the flood damages evident.
The updated toolbox meets a key business need by streamlining our analysis, improving the quality of our results and enabling innovative thinking to appraisal projects for key clients.
Flooding
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We developed a framework methodology for quantifying the “Ecosystem Services” (ESS) provided by the built environment, which identifies their suitability and materiality for their inclusion within the built environment. The framework identifies the objective, spatiality of potential green infrastructure strategies, and the potential issues to be considered. The characterisation and quantification of the ecosystem services is identified by data sources to be used in the LCA and cost optimal analysis tools.
A detailed analysis of Ecosystem Services identifies the information required to evaluate and quantify their potential impacts, whilst exploring the gap between the anticipated benefits and real-life performance. This enables an insight into the design process to help identify optimal green infrastructure for the required service within the urban ecosystem.
We identified possible sites and a proposal for a paired catchment study to evaluate the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management (NFM) techniques in reducing flood peaks from forested areas during large runoff events. We visited the sites with Natural Resources Wales and collated information on opportunities for and barriers to NFM implementation associated with forestry practices and operations, access, recreational use and funding. We developed a list of possible options and a programme for implementation based on planning forestry activities.
The planned study will fill gaps in NFM literature and modelling capabilities, and will provide a strong case to support the adoption of holistic flood risk management.
Understanding effective NFM techniques strengthens Arup’s position as a lead in flood risk management, and brings together an array of case studies of sustainable practice that are of interest at an international level.
Retrofitting Rivers Tool – Excel paired with GIS and SuDS locations
Assessment of the Integration of Ecosystem Services in the Urban Metabolism approach
Working with nature to mitigate extreme hydrological events – case study of Natural Flood Management
We identified sustainable flood management strategies and soft engineering solutions, including SuDS for a high risk fluvial environment in the UK. Through the use of GIS, the potential of water management strategies was explored to eliminate, or at least minimise, the need for hard engineering controls at a central London site. Through the partnership of GIS, WaND (Water & Neutral Design Tool) and internal SuDS a competent assessment of existing and proposed conditions, identified the most applicable SuDSfor the development.
This assessment provided an insight into the potential of SuDS and water management strategies in sites subjected to significant constraints, including river and surface water flooding, limited space and high commercial value of land.
Project ID: 10504 | PD: Faye Beaman | PM: Alison Caldwell Project ID: 11429 | PD: Ramon Rodriguez | PM: Susana Saiz Project ID: 11337 | PD: Catherine Wenger | PM: Candice Constantine
Green Infrastructure
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Intelligent Asset Management for Green Infrastructure Green infrastructure - develop conceptual model to quantify its value
As cities adopt green infrastructure practices, stormwaterbest-management practices (BMPs) are being more comprehensively implemented for at-source stormwatercontrol to treat the runoff, which results in cleaner urban waterways. Many cities are facing the critical question of how to effectively maintain these systems. The aim of this research was to discover ways to input performance data derived from green infrastructure monitoring into a model, such that real-time rainfall data can then be used to monitor and predict scenarios for maintenance, thus ensuring acceptable green infrastructure performance.
The research supports the potential for remote asset management of green infrastructure practices, on small or large scales, enabling these assets to be maintained before they start to decrease from targeted performance levels. This allows for steadier uninterrupted performance and cleaner urban waterways.
Project ID: 11003 | PD: Vincent Lee | PM: Jenna Browning Project ID: 10116 | PD: Vincent Lee| PM: Louise Ellis
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure is a network of decentralized stormwatermanagement practices, such as green roofs, trees, rain gardens and permable pavement, that can attenuate or infiltrate rain where it falls, thus reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of the surrounding waterways. In order to ensure that the optimum performance of each green infrastructure asset is met, it is important that they are located to meet site-specific criteria, for example, soil type, ground water depth, existing topography, well head protection area, etc.
The first aim of this project is to create a tool that provides a menu of green infrastructure strategies for each land parcel based on the existing site criteria. Green infrastructure can generate important social, environmental and economic benefits to local watersheds and communities, in addition to improvements in stormwater quality and a reduction in stormwater quantity. These can include energy consumption, air quality, property prices and recreation. The project is also looking to design an Arup Green Infrastructure Triple Bottom Line Calculator that can be used to assess the TBL of green infrastructure projects at a project planning stage.
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We conducted a feasibility review and developed a concept design of a floating PV system, specifically the floating foundation to house the PV array, that can be used on water storage reservoirs. Power generation is often associated with negative impacts on water due to cooling requirements and waste disposal facilities. The developed floating PV design is expected to reduce evaporation losses from the reservoirs by reducing the reservoir water temperature, the exposed surface area to direct sunlight, and the wave action.
The developed design aims to be patentable, locking in potential future work for Arup at an international scale, whilst also showcasing Arup’s multidisciplinary approach to real world problems.
This project researched energy optimisation techniques and technologies for wastewater treatment plants. Public water authorities are being placed under increasing pressure to reduce capital and operating expenditure. One major cost incurred is electricity consumption in wastewater treatment plants. Building on previous work with South East Water, this project identified pragmatic and innovative opportunities to improve energy efficiency in operating treatment plants without incurring significant capital costs.
Energy optimisation improves sustainability and increases monetary value in projects for clients.
Anaerobic treatment of sewage – maximising energy recovery
Floating solar PV – develop design of foundation Energy Optimisation in WWTP
We developed a strategy for optimising the energy generation from an existing system which anaerobically treats biosolids through characterisation of the feedstock and development of a dynamic model which can inform evaluation of the real-time monitoring and control of algorithms. The model was developed using GPS-X, a leading wastewater treatment simulation package. The study has shown that mantis2 mathematical model is useful for validating the steady-state operation of a healthy anaerobic digester. With further development, the model has a great potential as a tool for process optimisation together with key instruments identified within the study. Additionally, a business opportunity was presented in recovery of high-value products from digestatethrough bioconversion.
Research into the optimisation of energy recovery from anaerobic treatment systems places Arup as a market leader in both the industrial and municipal sectors.
Project ID: 10681 | PD: Daniel Lambert | PM: Rhys AndersonProject ID: 11302 | PD: Joe Strydom | PM: Auret BassonProject ID: 11083 | PD: Vincent Glancy | PM: Darryl How
Water and Energy
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We have provided additional tools for the already developed Geographical Information field survey tool. The tool includes fluvial audit and MiMAS survey formats and associated bespoke post-processing tools for data collected in the field. This significantly reduces the time needed for data analysis, figure and graph production, and report writing. The new tools have already been adapted to the requirements of clients, including the strategic project for SEPA to undertake surveys of over 3,500km of rivers in Scotland, showing a daily 2 hour reduction in survey time compared to using paper maps and eliminating the need for post-survey digitising.
By extending the field app survey tool the efficiency of geomorphological data collection, post-processing and analysis has been improved. The tools are adaptable to be used by other Arup teams, globally, that are collecting and/or analysing any similar data.
We assessed practical solutions for repair and management of critical areas on the interface between natural and modified mountain river corridors. The regulation of mountain rivers usually involves heavy modifications to the river bed and cross-sections to try to reduce the extensive damage caused to the river corridor by water energy. These interface areas are prone to cause flood problems. Solutions must be hydraulically assessed to stabilise river corridors and achieve a smooth transition.
This builds on our capability to be associated with the management of mountain rivers to ensure sustainable responses.
Sediment systems downstream of reservoirs – develop monitoring methodology
Field apps – development of post-processing tools Management of critical interfaces between natural and modified sections of mountain rivers
We have developed a monitoring methodology for river sediments which can be adapted to the specific requirements of river restoration sites, to obtain a robust understanding of baseline conditions and be able to evaluate post-construction impacts with confidence. The developed approach was tested using a reach downstream of Swinsty Reservoir, where an Arup designed River Restoration scheme is planned to be built in the summer of 2015.
This methodology will improve our confidence in our river restoration designs to ensure they achieve the expected and desired outcomes required by our clients and EU legislation (WFD). The approach can be developed into a transferable tool for a number of practitioners within Arup, to demonstrate our understanding and findings in order to make stronger proposals to existing and future clients.
Project ID: 11431 | PD: Will McBain | PM: Sally German Project ID: 11432 | PD: Will McBain | PM: Sally German Project ID: 10967 | PD: Jacek Zalewski | PM: Tomasz Glixelli
Catchment Management
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We collaborated with the Technology & Research Team in Singapore to engage the Government in smart city initiatives and showcase our capabilities to clients in the private sector, in particular developers and architects.
Knowledge gained locally; internally between the Singapore Technology & Research team and with the wider Smart Cities community, and externally with the Singapore Government, has furthered our Smart City initiatives.
We are evaluating, using a systems engineering-based framework, the viability of scale and replication of decision-making ICT based tools for use by local authorities in the provision of Water and Sanitation services in informal settlements. The WATSAN Portal, an ICT based support tool currently used in Kibera, Nairobi, is being used as a comparative case study. The work is analysing the needs and priorities of stakeholders for sustainable and safe access to improved water and sanitation services in informal settlements by identifying the requirements for technology based tools to be met to ensure the tools are sustained, and evaluating the impact on the WATSAN Portal to determine the support needed, specific to informal settlements.
ICT tools for decision-making by local authorities exist, but the ability to scale and replicate this in the water and sanitation sector for urban consumers in low income countries is missing. This research addresses this knowledge gap.
Arup Scene – online tool for collaborative planning and infrastructure delivery
Engaging Singapore Government in Smart Cities Initiatives
Arup EngD: The application of ICT tools for water and sanitation in informal settlements
We piloted an internet-based Infrastructure Delivery Planning GIS tool with existing Local Authority clients. The low-cost ‘open source’ GIS tool combines mapping, spreadsheet, and gantt chart (programme) functions to provide a strategic infrastructure planning tool with multiple benefits, including strategic overviews of development and infrastructure projects for an area, information on funding, phasing, and progress towards delivery. This tool enables access and the sharing of information between partner organisations and across infrastructure sectors.
This project has provided an insight into the opportunities and challenges of encouraging closer cooperation between infrastructure providers and the management of ‘big’ data. The GIS tool sets Arup apart in the field of Strategic Infrastructure Delivery Planning in the UK, forming a vital part of our ‘Smart Cities’ offer.
Project ID: 9934 | PD: Wayne Dyer | PM: Timothy Durant Project ID: 10657 | PD: Henry Jeens | PM: Alma Banuelos Granda Project ID: 11282 | PD: Ian Carradice | PM: Vera Bukachi
Photo credits: Pascal Kipkemboi, KDI
Smart Water
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We developed the existing HazardOwl tool into a resilient platform which can be used to monitor risk from all natural disasters. HazardOwl is a Real-Time Natural Catastrophe Risk Alert System, which concentrates on building a resilient back-end and integrating the earthquake monitoring system. This project has enabled the addition of other hazard types, such as wind, severe weather, and tidal risk.
The assessment of the potential impact to infrastructure in near real-time is a service that Arup can provide to understand our design performance and proactively advise our clients on the impacts of natural hazards. There is potential for HazardOwl to be sold as a commercial project.
We explored the potential for smart city initiatives to be used to contribute to increased city resilience. We have collaborated with the International Development Team to develop a City Resilience Index that is usable, credible and globally applicable. The index comprises a common set of indicators (what you need to observe) and variables (what you measure), but the metrics within the index vary from city to city (how you measure). We worked with Arup individuals from different cities in varying geographies to identify, develop and review the city indicators.
A City Resilience Matrix provides data opportunities for measuring and addressing resilience in various global cities.
Urban water management in small island states –develop a sustainable and resilient framework
Real-time natural disaster, risk alert system –HazardOwl Phase II
Resilience through Smart City Initiatives
We developed a replicable and scalable framework to integrated water resource management for small island states, based on previous and existing work undertaken in the Maldives. The framework aids decision making for water throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring a consistent safe and equitable access to freshwater for island communities, in particular under changing climatic conditions. Previous water supply projects for four Maldiveislands (undertaken with the United Nations Office on Project Services, UNOPS) scoped out design, review and quality assurance, alongside other core components, but failed to appreciate the complexity and unique nature of island communities to develop a sustainable resilient solution.
This conceptual framework forms the basis of a replicable service for the firm to use in similar contexts, showcasing our expertise and credibility in water resource management.
Project ID: 10387 | PD: Justin Abbott | PM: Geoffrey Morgan Project ID: 10097 | PD: Tim Mote | PM: Roland Martin Project ID: 11317 | PD: Garry Banks | PM: Alison Ball
Resilience
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A global urban swimmability movement is emerging. In order to engage with this movement, we need data to design urban swimming areas in rivers and creeks, which are safe, accessible and clean. This requires changes in wastewater management and effective communication methods to show residents that swimming in their city’s waterways is possible.
This project researched and determined the feasibility of deploying real-time water quality monitoring systems in urban waterways, establishing Arup as a global leader in urban swimmability projects.
The Reference and Resource guide presents an authoritative and succinct evidence base of the benefits of urban ecosystem services, by identifying existing and innovative enhancement and management strategies for urban ecosystem services. The guide details the context and necessity (evidence for our reliance on urban ecosystem services within cities), and solutions for integrating and enhancing ecosystem services into the urban landscape.
This concise Reference and Resource guide places Arup at the forefront of urban design. The guide may be used within or outside Arup to inform, enlighten and inspire key stakeholders, for example; planners, architects, designers and local government.
Sheffield interactive flood visualisation –Stage 2
Real-time monitoring of water quality in urban waterways (to inform of swimmability)
Urban ecosystem services – start a reference and resource guide – Stage 1
We have improved an existing three-dimensional visual model of Sheffield City Centre, which demonstrates building and environmental effects within a 3D environment. In phase I of this project a desktop application was constructed in a games platform to allow any user to navigate a city model of Sheffield, and view 3D time varying hydraulic model results. Phase II improved the visual look and resolution of the model, in order to showcase Arup’s ability in flood modelling.
This project has shown Arup’s ability to demonstrate complex time-varying propagation through a city, within an interactive environment.
Project ID: 11331 | PD: Justin Abbott | PM: Llew Hancock Project ID: 11461 | PD: Justin Abbott | PM: Michael O’Neill Project ID: 11493 | PD: Gordon Richardson | PM: Rory Canavan
Urban Water
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Topup is a GIS based rainwater cistern sizing optimization tool which uses climate data (rainfall depth and evapotranspiration) and project data, (roof size, non-potable demand) and other factors, to develop site specific rainwater cistern optimization curves. This powerful little tool triangulates on NOAA rain gauges to provide an estimated historic daily rainfall record at the building location, which feeds into a daily analysis of cistern fill and drawdown. As Cistern sizing is often the highest single cost item for rainwater harvesting systems, getting this analytic step correct is important to creating effective and efficient systems.
Topup is robust, satisfying technical requirements of design engineers whilst being easy to use for non-engineers. Ultimately Topup will become an internet based tool which can be applied globally to improve drought resilience in water challenged regions.
Arup is a founding member of Ecodistricts, a national 501(c)3 organisation that aims to help cities achieve sustainability goals by providing access to “people, tools, services, and training”. In the prior FY, Arup committed to a 2-year founding membership to support the relationship. The project developed an integrated decision support tool to facilitate decision-making on the retrofitting and renewal of existing districts and its composing buildings. The second year of the project saw the development of the Ecodistrict framework.
This project enables us to tackle the subject of contextualizing a sustainability standard to the local needs and environment of a project in a sophisticated and strategic way. It has also helped develop a strong relationship with Ecodistricts which is a recognized name associated with what is a fast growing national sustainability standard.
iBuild and Blue Green cities project support and associated research activities
Topup Ecodistricts Founding Partner: Year 2
We have continued to support large EPSRC-funded (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) projects and associated research activities. Through our support we provide industrial guidance in steering groups meetings, and attend regular developmental workshops with a range of other project contributors.
The projects include the iBuild project, the BlueGreencities project. We have generated and steered projects, supported students and researchers, and offered lectures. A key outcome of the Blue Green cities project has been a blue green vision for the city of Newcastle, which will now guide implementation of Blue Green Infrastructure.
Project ID: 10318 | PD: Andy Mace | PM: David Hetherington Project ID: 10404 | PD: Rowan Roderick-Jones | PM: Kate Tunstall Project ID: 10924 | PD: Fiona Cousins | PM: Afaan Naqvi
Water Resources
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This funding has successfully developed a new tool that helps efficiently and robustly identify prime locations for any type of wastewater discharge. The tool takes into account user defined criteria and outfall performance indicators, such as advection dispersion processes, construction cost and pollutant accumulation near environmentally sensitive areas. Key inputs come from hydrodynamic modelling, as well as analysis of other opportunities and constraints that need to be taken into consideration for decision-making and evaluation.
The tool provides confidence in solutions to stakeholders, such as water utilities and industries, whilst also helping to differentiate Arup’s service offering. Already, through our initial application of the tool to Moreton Bay, we are now discussing further work with a major local utility, Unitywater, to further develop the tool and its application to the bay.
We have developed a water stress/risk footprinting tool. The activity of water footprinting and measuring water stress (of a region, at organisational level, or of a discrete asset or supply chain – e.g. fruit for a supermarket) is a service that our clients would value. We have recently moved our capability forward with the development of a pilot consumptive/non-consumptive water stress footprint tool. The new methodology developed will be aligned with our BEACON tool, enabling water stress impacts to be assessed whilst conducting carbon footprinting, and providing an efficient and effective tool to assess water and carbon impacts together.
This tool provides a new service offering, new research and knowledge opportunity, and the potential new development of relationships for the firm.
Underperforming wastewater lagoons in Australia Development of a tool to optimise the location of wastewater outfall
SPLASH I/O
We first developed a register of all wastewater lagoons in Australia, in order to identify the lagoons that are underperforming, with the long-term view to develop a client list that Arup could approach to offer assistance.
This register provides opportunities and analysis of existing lagoon performance.
Project ID: 9940 | PD: Daniel Lambert | PM: Niruma Akhter Project ID: 10679 | PD: Daniel Lambert | PM: Ed Beling Project ID: 9987 | PD: Martin Shouler | PM: Kristian Steele
Wastewater Water Risk
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We created an excel-based tool for concept-stage building design that answers several critical questions regarding LEED Water Efficiency credit points, and the size of the infrastructure required to achieve them. The calculation tool can quantify the amount of harvested rainwater that can be used to offset a buildings potable water demands for flushing toilets. The tool can ‘communicate’ with the LEED Water Efficiency calculator sheet, to determine baseline and proposed water usage allowing achievable LEED credit points to be estimated. Users can create sizing charts, by tabulating and plotting the results from changing parameters. Future versions of the tool might incorporate a greywaterharvesting system analysis.
The tool has already been successfully used in multiple projects to help demonstrate annual water reductions.
We produced an internal Arup document to evaluate the performance and appropriateness of publically available data sources, tools, and methodologies, which are used to assess corporate water risk and shape corporate approaches to water stewardship.
The project enables Arup staff to provide cutting edge advice and intelligence on the management of water risks to clients in the corporate sector, thereby enhancing Arup’s competitive positioning in the area of water stewardship.
Water Neutral Development – develop a business model LEED Rainwater & Waste Water Calculation Tool Water Stewardship – review of corporate approaches
We developed an economic model for future human settlements, based on extensive research on sustainable urban and rural development. The model covers issues of water scarcity, economic integration of ecosystems, catchment management (grazing practices) and eco-city initiatives (integrated development management).
This research and model development will result in the delivery of a proposal to the Department For International Development (DFID) for funding towards a pilot Water Neutral Development project, in Tanzania. Arup will be an integral player in the planning, design, and implementation of the Water Neutral Development.
Project ID: 11155 | PD: Andy Simmans | PM: Andy Simmans Project ID: 10215 | PD: Cameron Thomson | PM: Alan Glynn Project ID: 11270 | PD: Justin Abbott | PM: Kate Jackson
Water Reuse Water Stewardship
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Justin AbbottWater Skill [email protected]
Marta Fernandez Global Research [email protected]
David Hetherington Water Research Leader [email protected]
Jenna BeckettGraduate [email protected]
Water Research Review 2014/2015