Building capabilities in water data and technologies

" alt="Managing water resources" title="Managing water resources">A new research collaboration into the use of water data and technologies will be used to build capabilities and enhance efficiencies in infrastructure planning and water security.
Christobel Ferguson, from Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director Water Information and Insights, said the partnership between DPI and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) would enable the analysis of water data to help identify methods to improve its use.
The NSW Government is investing $200,000 into the project which will focus on using advanced analytics to explore water data currently held and optimisation techniques,” Ms Ferguson said.
“This is the first project under a new memorandum of understanding between DPI and UTS, which aims to achieve strong outcomes in science and research.“ To be completed by January 2017, this project will enable us to look at how we collect and collate water data, and identify any areas where efficiencies can be enhanced.”
Professor Michael Blumenstein, Head of the School of Software at UTS said that this exciting project exemplifies the quality high-end research undertaken at Advanced Analytics Institute (AAi).
“The breakthrough aspect of the project is the ability to harness the properties of multiple data sources in the Department for predictive analytics to project future infrastructure needs based on an investigation of data trends,” Professor Blumenstein said.
“High-end data analytics will enable effective management of water resources and accurate prediction for resource allocation, which will provide savings with flow-on economic benefits.”
The collaboration is focusing on world-leading joint research of data and technologies related to water; covering such areas as acquisition and capturing, processing, governance and management, as well as information privacy.
Work will be used to enhance decision making to achieve operational efficiencies, cost reduction and risk mitigation; as well as to provide insight into infrastructure, water quality, and security.