Water and Society

To achieve a water-secure future, we aim to generate and disseminate interdisciplinary knowledge, engage with policymakers, build capacity and foster partnerships for equitable and sustainable water management and governance.

Our approach is multi-causal, interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral (agriculture and domestic), executed through a broad spectrum of livelihoods and well-being, participatory water governance and policy outreach. Our key areas of research include Urban Water and Wastewater, Rural and Agricultural Water and Surface and Groundwater Management  

Our Water and Soil Lab supports multiple interdisciplinary projects aimed at lake restoration, implementing decentralised wastewater treatment systems, designing nature-based solutions, climate change mitigation and adaptation, etc.

Objectives

• Understand the trajectories and drivers of change in the water sector
• Define practical and inclusive policy strategies that promote adequate access to water quantity and quality, thus ensuring equitable and sustainable use of water resources.
• Address challenges related to urban water and wastewater management
• Tackle issues concerning rural drinking water and agricultural water management, including climate-resilient practices
• Focus on challenges pertaining to soil and water conservation

Overarching Research Questions

• How do we manage water quality (surface water and groundwater) in the context of rapidly developing rural and urban landscapes to reduce risk to human health and dependent ecosystems?
• How do we ensure equitable and sustainable use of water in rural, urbanising towns and cities?
• What are the key hydrological changes, allocation mechanisms and water security outcomes in water-stressed agrarian landscapes?