Spatial risk-based assessments for climate adaptation using the SimCLIM modelling system: a case study of domestic rainwater harvesting as the sole source of water

Richard A Warrick; Graham Ashford; P Kouwenhoven; Y Li; P Urich; W Ye

doi:10.2166/wcc.2012.003

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Spatial risk-based assessments for climate adaptation using the SimCLIM modelling system: a case study of domestic rainwater harvesting as the sole source of water

Journal article

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Spatial risk-based assessments for climate adaptation using the SimCLIM modelling system: a case study of domestic rainwater harvesting as the sole source of water

Richard A Warrick, Graham Ashford, P Kouwenhoven, Y Li, P Urich and W Ye

Journal of Water and Climate Change, Vol.3(4), pp.257-265

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2012.003

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Abstract

adaptation

climate change

climate risks

impacts

rainwater harvesting

SimCLIM

This paper describes a software modelling system, SimCLIM, for simulating the effects of climate variability and change, and demonstrates its application to domestic rainwater harvesting (RWH). The paper first describes SimCLIM and then focuses on a case study of the reliability of domestic RWH systems as the sole source of water in South East Queensland, a region of high spatial and temporal variability in rainfall. Using the SimCLIM scenario generator along with gridded daily time-series data and a domestic water tank model, 'risk landscapes' are created based on the risk of failure of the domestic systems to provide water under both current climate and scenarios of future change. Steep risk gradients were found, with major implications for RWH system configuration. Simulations are then performed in order to examine the trade-offs between two broad strategies - increasing runoff area and increasing tank size - required to maintain a reliable system. The paper concludes that, instead of set specifications, location-specific customisation of RWH systems is preferable in order to ensure reliability under current rainfall variability and sustainability over the long term under climate change. The availability of gridded daily rainfall datasets along with modelling tools like SimCLIM makes this customisation practicable

Details

Title: Spatial risk-based assessments for climate adaptation using the SimCLIM modelling system: a case study of domestic rainwater harvesting as the sole source of water
Authors: Richard A Warrick (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Graham Ashford (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
P Kouwenhoven (Author) - CLIMsystems Ltd, New Zealand
Y Li (Author) - CLIMsystems Ltd, New Zealand
P Urich (Author) - CLIMsystems Ltd, New Zealand
W Ye (Author) - University of Waikato, New Zealand
Publication details: Journal of Water and Climate Change, Vol.3(4), pp.257-265
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.2166/wcc.2012.003
ISSN: 2040-2244
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450153002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Water Resources

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