Gain insights into the practical application of smart stormwater technologies and hear directly from researchers and practitioners delivering innovative projects across Victoria through this free in-person event.

Event Overview

Real-time control (RTC) and other smart technologies are transforming the way stormwater assets are designed, operated and maintained. Join Clearwater and industry experts for this in-person interactive session exploring how smart technology can improve flood mitigation, water security, waterway health and the performance of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) assets.

Through presentations, case studies, discussion and a guided site visit, participants will gain insights into the practical application of smart stormwater technologies and hear directly from researchers and practitioners delivering innovative projects across Victoria.

*The event will be run twice on the day. You can book in either for the morning or the afternoon session - both sessions are advertised separately.

Audience

This event is ideal for:

WSUD designers
Stormwater engineers
Integrated Water Management (IWM) practitioners
Local government staff
Water authority staff
Consultants
Asset planners and managers
Professionals involved in stormwater harvesting, infiltration and water quality improvement projects

Format

Presentation, Q&A and walking site tour (optional).

Learning Outcomes

Understand how real-time control (RTC) technology can significantly improve stormwater management outcomes, particularly where available treatment space is limited.
Explore a range of smart technology applications, including rainwater tanks, wetlands and integrated catchment-scale systems.
Gain an appreciation of how smart systems can support water savings, environmental flows, flood mitigation and improved water quality outcomes.
Learn about key design, construction and maintenance considerations for RTC systems, including control algorithms, valve operation, safety requirements and optimisation-based and rule-based approaches.

Event Highlights

This event will use three case studies to explore the potential application of real-time control (smart) technologies for stormwater management, with a site visit to one of those case studies sites, the Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network (MCSWN).

Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network

This collaborative research project is exploring the potential of real-time control technology to deliver environmental flows to protect urban streams. The project team is working with the community to install rainwater tanks operated using real-time control, along with “smart” operation of larger water storages in the catchment. In combination, these systems will work to deliver flows that enhance the health of Monbulk Creek, particularly during the periods known to be vital for the breeding of platypus. Benefits for localised flood protection, reduction of stormwater impacts on waterway health and augmentation of non-potable water supply are also an important motivation for the network. The project is being delivered in a partnership between the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, Yarra Ranges Council and South East Water, with support from Victorian (DEECA) and Australian (DCCEEW) Governments.

Smart Rainwater Tanks in Activity Centres

This project involves modelling of the performance and economics of smart-tanks [BN1] as part of new buildings constructed in Melbourne’s proposed Activity Centres and Priority Precincts. The models include water supply performance, pollution reduction performance, flow reduction, contribution to baseflow, reduction in flood risk (and Annual Average Damage cost). Importantly, the assessment also includes analysis of costs (construction, operation, maintenance) and benefits (water supply, nitrogen-offset value, reduction in Annual Average Damage). The work will be presented, focussing on both the methods of assessment, and the important lessons for setting standards for future buildings in Melbourne and Victoria.

Smart Stormwater Treatment Wetlands

Designing and maintaining stormwater treatment wetlands to achieve reliable, long-term removal of pollutants has long been a challenge. In particular, there is a negative relationship between increasing long-term ponding depth (above nominal water level) and vegetation cover. In turn, the loss of vegetation cover results in lower pollutant removal efficiency. Real-time control offers the ability to optimise the relationship between detention time, vegetation cover and nitrogen treatment. There are also potential benefits for flood protection and environmental water. This project is developing the algorithms to run this optimisation, using a combination of pilot-scale wetlands and one of Melbourne Water’s operational wetlands – Troups Creek West.

Site Visit (Optional)

Walk down to the Birdsland Reserve Lakes (10 minutes walk), which form part of the Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network. During the guided tour, attendees will see smart stormwater infrastructure and discuss key lessons from the design, retrofit and management of these innovative systems. A Yarra Ranges Council representative will present to discuss community and stakeholder engagement considerations and provide insights on managing the relationships throughout project delivery.

Registrations end on Friday 6th November 2026.

Morning tea and light refreshments will be provided.

Contact the host of Smart Technology for Stormwater Management - Afternoon session

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