System models describe how water infrastructure performs under different scenarios. They help answer questions such as:
- What happens if demand increases by 20%?
- How fast must leakage reduce to meet targets?
- What happens to supply under a 1-in-200-year drought?
- Which combination of interventions actually meets the goal?
Models sit alongside the other parts of this site:
Use cases → what needs to be done
Decision patterns → how it is done
Case studies → where it has been done
Models → how the system behaves over time
Decision patterns → how it is done
Case studies → where it has been done
Models → how the system behaves over time
How to use this page: Start here if you want to understand system performance and outcomes. Each model category explains what the models do, what data goes in, and what comes out. Follow links to see related use cases (what decisions they support) and case studies (where they have been applied).
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Model Types
24
Model–Case Links
15
Use Cases
17
Decision Patterns
Model Categories
Infrastructure
Leakage & loss models
Models that estimate how much water is lost through leaks in the distribution network and how this changes over time under different repair and renewal strat...
- Setting leakage reduction targets
- Testing the impact of monitoring and repair strategies
- Comparing baseline vs accelerated improvement scenarios
Planning
Supply–demand balance models
Models that compare total water supply capacity against projected demand under different scenarios including population growth, climate change, and new infra...
- Identifying future supply shortages
- Planning new infrastructure investment
- Testing demand reduction strategies
Flooding
Flood & hydrological models
Models that simulate how water moves through rivers, catchments, and coastal systems — predicting where and when flooding will occur and how severe it ...
- Forecasting flood events hours to days ahead
- Issuing early warnings to communities
- Designing flood protection infrastructure
Environment
Water quality models
Models that simulate how pollutants move through water systems and affect quality — predicting whether water meets safety standards for drinking, bathi...
- Assessing compliance with drinking water and bathing water standards
- Predicting pollution events from sewage overflows or spills
- Evaluating treatment plant performance
Planning
Allocation & governance models
Models that distribute available water across regions, sectors, or users — balancing the competing needs of agriculture, cities, industry, and the envi...
- Balancing competing demands during scarcity
- Supporting policy decisions on water rights
- Managing basin-scale water systems
Infrastructure
Infrastructure & asset models
Models that simulate the performance and deterioration of physical water infrastructure over time — predicting when pipes, pumps, and treatment works w...
- Predicting pipe failures and bursts
- Planning maintenance schedules
- Optimising asset replacement investment
Integrated
Integrated system & digital twin models
Models that combine multiple parts of the water system — supply, demand, infrastructure, and environment — into a single simulation, often fed by...
- System-wide optimisation across supply sources
- Real-time decision support during events
- Testing complex “what if” scenarios
Models turn options into outcomes
Use cases describe what needs to be done. Decision patterns describe possible solutions. Case studies show real examples. Models show what will happen over time.