Improving accuracy of rainwater tank hydrologic yield estimation across Queensland

Taylor, Benjamin Allan (2009) Improving accuracy of rainwater tank hydrologic yield estimation across Queensland. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

This dissertation aims to increase the accuracy of rainwater tank hydrologic yield and water saving efficiency estimation throughout Queensland. Traditional methods
of determining average annual hydrologic yield from average annual precipitation and water saving efficiency from seasonality indexation are reproduced using current
daily observations from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Limits with these methods are identified as reduced regression confidence and increased dependence on site parameters. An alternative method of performance indexation is presented based on the failure principles of a rainwater tank mass balance simulation. The Taylor’s Hyetology Index (THI) allows hydrologic yield and reliability to be
determined independent of location or rainwater tank volume. THI provides higher regression confidence and reduces the current number of charts needed to represent
Queensland from 90 to 9.

2520 unique simulations were conducted with Aquacycle to provide the data for state-wide trend discovery. These simulations are the result of placing a model unit block at eight sites being Birdsville, Brisbane, Cairns, Caloundra, Charleville, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville. The model unit block takes many forms defined by five parameter dimensions. The parameter dimensions include effective roof areas (75 m2, 150 m2 and 225 m2), garden irrigation areas (Nil, 125 m2 and 250 m2), nominal rainwater tank volumes (3 kL, 5 kL, 7.2 kL, 10 kL and 14.5 kL) and occupancies of 1 to 7. Data drill BOM daily precipitation and FAO Penmam-
Monteith potential evapotranspiration data for the period 01/01/1970 to 18/06/2009 was used for each site


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Item Type: USQ Project
Refereed: No
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited: 23 Jul 2010 05:36
Last Modified: 21 Sep 2012 03:38
Uncontrolled Keywords: rainwater tanks; yield estimation
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0907 Environmental Engineering > 090702 Environmental Engineering Modelling
04 Earth Sciences > 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience > 040608 Surfacewater Hydrology
05 Environmental Sciences > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050206 Environmental Monitoring
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4011 Environmental engineering > 401199 Environmental engineering not elsewhere classified
37 EARTH SCIENCES > 3707 Hydrology > 370704 Surface water hydrology
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970109 Expanding Knowledge in Engineering
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/8510

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