Comprehensive assessment of the impacts of climate change on reservoir quality in a range of climatic regions

Water utilities lack the information they need to implement risk-based adaptation and planning strategies that incorporate climate change. This research addresses this problem by modelling the effects of climate change on reservoirs in three climate zones: temperate, humid tropical and Mediterranean. By integrating different modelling approaches it was concluded that increased temperatures will increase water stratification; the differences in water temperature that occur with depth. This is important because the duration and type of stratification affects the storage and release of substances from reservoir floors and this in turn affects blue-green algal blooms and water quality. The integrated modelling approach developed in this project can be applied to the management of contaminants running off the catchments and for future risk assessment. This information will also support the development of business cases for targeted catchment interventions.