January 23, 2018

Not a drop wasted in efforts to tackle water security

International workshop brings together leading experts

Innovative approaches to storing and supplying the world’s most precious resource, water, will be discussed at the first International Workshop on Coastal Reservoirs.

The workshop (24, 25 January) is hosted by the University of Wollongong’s Centre for Coastal Reservoir Research (CCRR) and brings together water resources planners, researchers, engineers and scientists to review and assess the feasibility of coastal reservoirs in securing universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

Coastal reservoirs are attracting global attention as a solution for providing water storage and supply, particularly for rapidly growing cities that are putting increasing stress on limited water resources.

Coastal reservoirs are placed in the sea at the mouth of a river and given the water pressure on both sides, need only an impermeable barrier to separate salt and freshwater, reducing the need for costly concrete dam walls.

Inland dams are seen to have negative impacts on river ecosystems as well as consuming large amounts of energy to pump water to where it is needed.

Meanwhile, the United Nations predicts that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living with water scarcity, where usage exceeds supply, and two-thirds of the planet could be under water stress, or ongoing supply issues.

“Currently more half of the world’s population lives in the cities and this is predicted to go up to 70 per cent by 2050, which will put significant pressure on water supply,” Conference Chair Associate Professor Muttucumaru Sivakumar said.

“It appears that cities are running out of water. In reality, it is the water that is running out of the cities. Coastal reservoir technology is an innovative technology that can capture flood water prior to entering into the sea.

“A number of cities worldwide are now actively pursuing this concept of coastal reservoirs as a sustainable solution to their water problems.”

The workshop will feature examples of innovative approaches applied elsewhere in the world, such as the Cardiff Barrage, as well as research undertaken to assess the suitability of coastal reservoirs for growing populations in India and China.

A study to be presented at the workshop proposes using Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert (Lower Lakes) in south-east of Adelaide to solve the South Australian capital’s water issues.

The study concluded that building a coastal reservoir could provide an additional 150 gigalitres per year while maintaining appropriate salinity levels. 

“The workshop will position CCRR as a think tank for developing best practice assessment and design methods for coastal reservoirs that ensure minimal environmental, social and economic impacts, particularly in developing nations,” Associate Professor Sivakumar said.

“If we want clean, accessible water for all, it’s vitally important we direct our research and thinking at coming up with innovative solutions for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensure access to water and sanitation for all.”

The International Workshop on Coastal Reservoirs will be held on 24 and 25 January at the University of Wollongong.