Water quality modelling for decision-making: the drinking-water watersheds of Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Water quality modelling for decision-making occurs at a disciplinary divide between science and management. Workers in science and management operate in fields that traditionally have different objectives, priorities and expectations. These differences can create barriers to the effective use of scientific models by watershed managers. This paper reports on two methods that are being used to overcome barriers that inhibit the successful use of models in watershed planning and decision-making. The first is the use of generic evaluation criteria that both scientists and managers may use to critique water quality models from a decision-maker’s perspective. The second is an activity in which water quality modelling is embedded into a water management organisation’s planning and management processes