Groundwater experts from Flinders University have won a state leadership award in the Water Industry Alliance’s Smart Water Awards, announced at the Adelaide Convention Centre in May.

The prize was awarded to a team of hydrogeologists from the University-based National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT), together with global projects firm Sinclair Knight Merz, for leadership in the development of the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines.

NCGRT Director Professor Craig Simmons said the new guidelines, commissioned by the National Water Commission, aim to provide direction and promote a consistent approach to computer-based groundwater modelling methods.

“The guidelines serve as a point of reference for industry and government in using groundwater modelling to make predictions about groundwater,” Professor Simmons said.

“The guidelines provide tips, advice and recommendations in order to improve groundwater modelling in support of water management, policy and government regulations,” he said.

Professor Simmons, the Inaugural Schultz Chair in the Environment, said it was great to see the guidelines acknowledged by the Water Industry Alliance.

“This award will help raise not only the profile of the guidelines but groundwater in general.

“Groundwater tends be overlooked and poorly understood, partly because it’s not visible to the naked eye, so it’s great to see it front and centre.

“Groundwater modelling is such an important tool of our trade.”

The Flinders team involved in the development of the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines include Professor Peter Cook, Associate Professor Adrian Werner and Dr Vincent Post from the NCGRT and School of the Environment.