{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260102060"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260102060","attributes":{"code":"DE260102060","administering-organisation":"The University of Queensland","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Queensland","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"A next-generation computational framework for evolving sewer networks. This project aims to drive a paradigm shift in sewer management, enabling water utilities to simultaneously manage Australia’s ageing sewer infrastructure and embracing emerging applications for the next-generation smart, sustainable sewer systems. By learning from the intrinsic features of sewer environments, this project expects to transform the understandings and interpretations of modern-day sewer networks. Anticipated outcomes include new knowledge and smart water technologies for sewer network modelling and prediction. This should advance Australia’s smart water monitoring and control, enhance wastewater infrastructure resilience, decrease sewage overflows and greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard public health.","funding-current":529255.00,"funding-at-announcement":525039,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jiuling","familyName":"Li","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-6618-3319 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jiuling","familyName":"Li","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-6618-3319 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Queensland","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"QLD"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Queensland","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"QLD"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400410","name":"Wastewater Treatment Processes","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4005","name":"Civil Engineering","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400508","name":"Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400705","name":"Control Engineering","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"110504","name":"Water Services and Utilities","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"270410","name":"Water Safety","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280111","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Environmental Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Sweden"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Today’s Australian sewer network is the result of over 100 years of accumulated effort. However, much of this infrastructure is now approaching the end of its lifespan, while sewers are increasingly taking on new roles beyond wastewater conveyance, to now actively support public health and climate goals. This project directly addresses the urgent need faced by the Australian water industry for smarter sewer operations. The project involves developing efficient computational tools to maintain sewer integrity and wastewater conveyance, preventing overflows, and reducing odour complaints, while minimising pollution and pathogen discharge. These outcomes will ensure safer living, working, and recreational environments. Long-term benefits include improved public health protection and reduced carbon emissions through smarter wastewater management. An open software platform integrating these innovative technologies will facilitate widespread adoption by water utilities and stakeholders, allowing continuous improvement, collaboration, and public engagement. The project’s outcomes are expected to be translated into full-scale real-world applications through collaborations with numerous Australian water utilities and government agencies. Additionally, aligned with the National Science and Research Priorities of Environmental Change, this project will position Australia as a leader in smart and sustainable water management, supporting the nation’s commitments to Net Zero."}}}