Water

We are transforming the evidence base for water-based decision making in a changing and deeply uncertain world.

• Cutting edge
  We build cutting edge hydrologic models from local to global scales.
• Unprecedented
  We monitor the environment at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.
• Insightful
  We link deep process knowledge with the analysis of human behaviour to gain new insights into the coupled socio-hydrological system.

• Resilience of transport networks to flood-induced bridge failures
  Road networks are fundamental for keeping the country running safely and efficiently. Bridges are crucial elements of these networks, since they cross over otherwise impassable obstacles.
• Characterising the nature, origins and impact of dissolved organic matter in freshwater ecosystems
  From toxic algal blooms to the mobilisation of pollutants, could understanding the complexities of dissolved organic matter help society tackle environmental decline?
• Unravelling the complexity of vulnerability, risk and resilience in flood hazard systems
  We are becoming more vulnerable to natural hazards. Since 1950, the ongoing trend shows increasing losses from global catastrophes, but why is this?
• Understanding flood risk in America
  New flood modelling shows that 41 million Americans are at risk from flooding rivers, more than three times the current estimate.
• Drivers and consequences of environmental change in drylands
  As climate changes, the world’s driest regions will be hit hardest. Already in a delicate balance with limited rainfall and high temperatures, dryland environments and the societies within them, are now facing immense challenges of adapting to environmental change.
• Developing a floating platform for surveying water quality
  We are enabling the production of high resolution water quality distribution maps to survey the water quality for the entire Floating Harbour in Bristol.
• Bridging the gap between research and practice in water resource management
  As the world population increases, there is a growing need to channel finite water resources for everything from agricultural irrigation and household supply, to flood mitigation and hydropower.
• Improving how we measure and respond to rainfall
  The ability to accurately measure the quantity and locations of rainfall is vital for water management processes to operate effectively. This is especially true in urban areas where the design and operation of storm sewer systems are highly sensitive to rainfall.
• As temperatures rise, water shortages possible in cold regions
  More than a sixth of the world’s population – over one billion people – rely on meltwater emanating from snow and ice for their main water supply.
• Identifying South East Asia's most vulnerable settlements
  Good flood risk assessments can help save lives by understanding who and what is at risk, and therefore what protections are required. But what happens when there's not enough data?