Drinking water reservoir resiliency in a changing climate
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The Llandegfedd reservoir is important since in an extreme drought scenario it will be expected to supply the entire south of Wales. As such, its quality must be assured. Water quality issues, such as discolouration, taste and odour problems, can arise due to summer stratification. Due to this it can be important to monitor and study these aspects of the reservoir. Furthermore steps like catchment management and installation of mechanical mixer to destratify reservoirs can be used to reduce these issues, with Llandegfedd already having a ResMix system installed. Climate change further exacerbates such issues and that modern practice might not be able to ensure water quality moving forward. This project will look to create a 3D physical model of the reservoir, using existing reservoir models to characterise biogeochemistry and hydrodynamics, to support the following aims.
For the model to help diagnose when and where potential processes that lead to poor water quality may occur so they can be better planned for.
Determining the impact of engineering interventions, such as mixers, on surface water quality, as well as the role of forced versus natural mixing in dictating nutrient and metal transport and transformation within Llandegfedd.
Help in the longer term management of the reservoir by looking at the resiliency in different climate scenarios since increased summer heating will lead to stronger thermal stratification and diminished transport of oxygen in the water body. This will include looking at how nutrient and metal transport changes under stronger stratification conditions. The ability of current interventions to maintain quality in the long term can then be assessed.
AEM3D is a coupled 3D model of hydrodynamics and ecology within a number of hydro- environments that will be used. This model has been employed in a number of reservoir studies. This model works by coupling ELCOM and CAEDYM routines in order to achieve its aims. The solver for the hydrodynamics, ELCOM, uses unsteady, viscous Naiver-Stokes equations and can calculate a huge number of processes. While the biogeochemical element, CAEDYM, includes an array of algorithms to incorporate various processes like production and cycling. AEM3D has a module that can simulate surface mixers meaning it is capable of dealing with the ResMix placed in Llandegfedd.
Data will be available for when the mixer is both on and off so the model will be run in both states. The project will use moorings so up-to-date data will be captured. Data will offer numerous variables from which the model can be calibrated against. The project will base the climate change scenarios will be based on the ones presented by the IPCC based on greenhouse gas emission and economic growth among other factors. Reservoir data will be used to calibrate the model until it reflects reality to an acceptable degree. The model can then be forced with different climate scenarios which would affect rainfall, summer temperature among other factors. The results from this model can then be used to diagnose how this changed forcing will affect the physics of the reservoir.
For the model to help diagnose when and where potential processes that lead to poor water quality may occur so they can be better planned for.
Determining the impact of engineering interventions, such as mixers, on surface water quality, as well as the role of forced versus natural mixing in dictating nutrient and metal transport and transformation within Llandegfedd.
Help in the longer term management of the reservoir by looking at the resiliency in different climate scenarios since increased summer heating will lead to stronger thermal stratification and diminished transport of oxygen in the water body. This will include looking at how nutrient and metal transport changes under stronger stratification conditions. The ability of current interventions to maintain quality in the long term can then be assessed.
AEM3D is a coupled 3D model of hydrodynamics and ecology within a number of hydro- environments that will be used. This model has been employed in a number of reservoir studies. This model works by coupling ELCOM and CAEDYM routines in order to achieve its aims. The solver for the hydrodynamics, ELCOM, uses unsteady, viscous Naiver-Stokes equations and can calculate a huge number of processes. While the biogeochemical element, CAEDYM, includes an array of algorithms to incorporate various processes like production and cycling. AEM3D has a module that can simulate surface mixers meaning it is capable of dealing with the ResMix placed in Llandegfedd.
Data will be available for when the mixer is both on and off so the model will be run in both states. The project will use moorings so up-to-date data will be captured. Data will offer numerous variables from which the model can be calibrated against. The project will base the climate change scenarios will be based on the ones presented by the IPCC based on greenhouse gas emission and economic growth among other factors. Reservoir data will be used to calibrate the model until it reflects reality to an acceptable degree. The model can then be forced with different climate scenarios which would affect rainfall, summer temperature among other factors. The results from this model can then be used to diagnose how this changed forcing will affect the physics of the reservoir.
Planned Impact
We will deliver the Centre's impact aims in depth and breadth through the following objectives:
1) Ensuring that skilled recruits are available to industry to enhance the global competitiveness of UK plc thereby filling an industry-identified skills gap in appropriately trained water informatics professionals - Beneficiary: Industry;
2) Maximising the recruitment opportunities for graduates, by providing them with the professional and development skills needed to succeed - Beneficiary: Students;
3) Promote the work of the CDT to the widest possible audience so that the true value of the investment in the centre is realized - Beneficiary: Communities (both public and academic);
4) Create and develop the next generation of academics - Beneficiary: Academia / Students.
Economic and Societal Impact: Water professionals are faced with increasingly complex problems of ensuring sustainable use of water resources, given a rapidly expanding demand for energy and food from a growing population, and the dynamic nature of our world. Simultaneously we see an explosion in new data and in computational power, which allows us to build more and more complex models of our environment. Organisations such as Toshiba and IBM expect the Centre to support them in developing a 'real business opportunity' in Smart Utility systems. Partners such as the Environment Agency and MET Office feel that WISE will give them access to essential skills in long term planning and climate impact assessment. HR Wallingford and Wessex Water see the opportunity to maintain and enhance their global advantage in technology and catchment management expertise. The impact on the industrial sectors relevant to this Centre will be guided and supported by our Advisory Board. To facilitate wider impact we will also work through regional and national groups, networks, and Learned Societies.
We will undertake the following activities in support of our pathways to impact:
1) Bi-Annual WISE Mini-Conference: One day events to engage current Partners and additional end-users including the student cohort and established research projects.
2) Annual 'Hackathon': A sector specific one day event will be an opportunity for the students to focus on a real industry problem and provide solutions.
3) Short Film: To facilitate outreach, we will produce a short film to promote the awareness of the centre topic and the research of its students.
4) Case Studies: We will jointly develop a number of case studies for our website to showcase research and allow industry to understand how it can benefit from engagement with the Centre.
5) Third Party Events and Activities: Our student cohort and supervisors will work with existing and new networks to develop new relationships.
6) Public Engagement: The Centre will benefit from RCUK funded "Public Engagement with Research Catalyst" projects based at Exeter, Bath and Bristol. We will also engage with the British Science Association.
Impact on Knowledge Creation: The training approach has been designed to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of knowledge. From Year 2 onwards students will work in other institutions and/or with our industry partners for 3-6 months. We have agreement from our overseas and industrial partners to host placements. In terms of the wider academic and industrial sectors, students will be expected to attend and present at leading national and international conferences, and at our bi-annual mini-conferences.
Broader Impact on Postgraduate Students: The Centre has worked with partners to develop an environment that will provide training across a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Bespoke skills-based workshops, novel approaches and strong relationships with partners are key features of this environment. Specifically our students will undertake modules within the University of Exeter Business School, which will give them the opportunity to explore challenges facing leaders in industry around the globe.
1) Ensuring that skilled recruits are available to industry to enhance the global competitiveness of UK plc thereby filling an industry-identified skills gap in appropriately trained water informatics professionals - Beneficiary: Industry;
2) Maximising the recruitment opportunities for graduates, by providing them with the professional and development skills needed to succeed - Beneficiary: Students;
3) Promote the work of the CDT to the widest possible audience so that the true value of the investment in the centre is realized - Beneficiary: Communities (both public and academic);
4) Create and develop the next generation of academics - Beneficiary: Academia / Students.
Economic and Societal Impact: Water professionals are faced with increasingly complex problems of ensuring sustainable use of water resources, given a rapidly expanding demand for energy and food from a growing population, and the dynamic nature of our world. Simultaneously we see an explosion in new data and in computational power, which allows us to build more and more complex models of our environment. Organisations such as Toshiba and IBM expect the Centre to support them in developing a 'real business opportunity' in Smart Utility systems. Partners such as the Environment Agency and MET Office feel that WISE will give them access to essential skills in long term planning and climate impact assessment. HR Wallingford and Wessex Water see the opportunity to maintain and enhance their global advantage in technology and catchment management expertise. The impact on the industrial sectors relevant to this Centre will be guided and supported by our Advisory Board. To facilitate wider impact we will also work through regional and national groups, networks, and Learned Societies.
We will undertake the following activities in support of our pathways to impact:
1) Bi-Annual WISE Mini-Conference: One day events to engage current Partners and additional end-users including the student cohort and established research projects.
2) Annual 'Hackathon': A sector specific one day event will be an opportunity for the students to focus on a real industry problem and provide solutions.
3) Short Film: To facilitate outreach, we will produce a short film to promote the awareness of the centre topic and the research of its students.
4) Case Studies: We will jointly develop a number of case studies for our website to showcase research and allow industry to understand how it can benefit from engagement with the Centre.
5) Third Party Events and Activities: Our student cohort and supervisors will work with existing and new networks to develop new relationships.
6) Public Engagement: The Centre will benefit from RCUK funded "Public Engagement with Research Catalyst" projects based at Exeter, Bath and Bristol. We will also engage with the British Science Association.
Impact on Knowledge Creation: The training approach has been designed to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of knowledge. From Year 2 onwards students will work in other institutions and/or with our industry partners for 3-6 months. We have agreement from our overseas and industrial partners to host placements. In terms of the wider academic and industrial sectors, students will be expected to attend and present at leading national and international conferences, and at our bi-annual mini-conferences.
Broader Impact on Postgraduate Students: The Centre has worked with partners to develop an environment that will provide training across a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Bespoke skills-based workshops, novel approaches and strong relationships with partners are key features of this environment. Specifically our students will undertake modules within the University of Exeter Business School, which will give them the opportunity to explore challenges facing leaders in industry around the globe.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Thomas Arnot (Primary Supervisor) | |
| David BIRT (Student) |