What do we need from catchment water quality models in Australia?

Abstract

The published literature on the development and investigations into water quality modelling has primarily focused on making better predictions. Few studies have actively reported on model user needs and the implications of these needs on designing and selecting models that are fit-for-purpose. This paper describes the results of a Water Quality Model Needs survey that targeted persons developing or using models for catchment-scale Australian applications (Figure 1). Some 106 survey responses were received and analysed. Suspended sediment, total phosphorus and total nitrogen were highlighted by respondents as the most important constituents for catchment water quality models. The top five important drivers or management options were land use change, flow management, riparian management, climate change and point source control. Tool functionalities such as easy to include additional processes, output reporting, sensitivity analysis, and easy to access, use and learn were consistently identified as the most important features for catchment water quality models.