The challenge
Australia is the driest inhabited continent. Our highly variable rainfall, soil moisture, rivers and dams provide the water we rely on to grow food, generate electricity, stay healthy and generally maintain our society, economy and environment.
In a changing climate water availability and quality are likely to be affected by changing rainfall patterns and more frequent and/or more severe droughts. Soil moisture availability, stream flow and groundwater are already changing in response to climate change. Water supply will also be affected by our growing population, ageing water infrastructure, competition for water, energy prices and changing water consumption patterns.
How the ESCC Hub is meeting the challenge
Improving our understanding of climate variability, and other processes that affect water availability, will provide a better insight into the impacts climate change will have on surface and groundwater resources and the demand for water. This will lead to more effective water resources planning, management and infrastructure investment.