Our story began in 2005 as the eWater Cooperative Research Centre.
Our mission was to develop a new eco-hydrological modelling system for Australia.
We were formed as a Cooperative Research Centre by the merging of the CRC for Catchment Hydrology (1993-2005) and the CRC for Freshwater Ecology (1995-2005).
2008
National Hydrologic Modelling Strategy
In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments adopted a National Hydrologic Modelling Strategy, with eWater Source™ as the National Hydrology Modelling Platform (NHMS). The formation of this platform was in response to the findings of a Federal and State government commissioned review into Australia’s hydrology modelling tools.
This review, undertaken by Dr Don Blackmore and Dr Ian Prosser, found that Australia’s hydrology modelling tools needed significant modernisation and increased functionality if they were to meet future needs. The same review also found existing efforts were fragmented, with various water management agencies developing their own tools.
Adoption of eWater Source as the National Hydrology Modelling Platform
A core feature of the NHMS was the adoption of eWater Source as the National Hydrology Modelling Platform (NHMP).
eWater Source was chosen for the following characteristics:
- modern tools and the best available research
- relevance for all aspects of water quantity, quality, and the environment
- applicable for all regions of Australia
- adaptability to include new policy, drivers, or knowledge
- flexibility and capacity to link to new and existing models and other information systems
- supported by documented methods, guidelines, training and a community of practice.
2012
From research to adoption
In 2012, the members of the CRC agreed that it was time to move from research to adoption.
To this end, the government members of the CRC established eWater Ltd as a not-for-profit, government-owned enterprise with the purpose of continuing the development, adoption and commercialisation of the tools developed by the various CRCs, including eWater Source™, eWater MUSIC™ (Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation), and eWater Toolkit.
2018
NHMS Collaborative Head Agreement
In 2018, the NHMS 2008 was revised and refreshed through the National Collaboration Framework. Resulting in COAG signing the NHMS Collaborative Head Agreement, which reiterated the aims of the NHMS, including eWater Source as the national platform.
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