Developing a conceptual model for water accounting in peri-urban catchments

Abstract

Water accounting, i.e. identifying, quantifying and reporting information of water flow in a system, is the first step towards formulating productive and sustainable water management strategies in a region. This requires a significant effort of monitoring, collecting and modelling hydro-meteorological information over both spatial and temporal scales. A number of catchment water balance models developed in Australia and overseas are capable of estimating runoff, evapotranspiration, and streamflow generated from rainfall received in a catchment. However, most existing catchment water balance models do not account for potable water supply, wastewater discharges and surface and groundwater extr..