Hydraulic and Hydrological Modelling in Infrastructure Practice

Water infrastructure decisions increasingly depend on sophisticated hydraulic, hydrological, wastewater, and flood models. These tools influence investment priorities, growth planning, flood mitigation, network upgrades, regulatory compliance, and resilience strategies across New Zealand. Yet models are only as effective as the assumptions, data, governance frameworks, and engineering judgement that underpin them. Poor interpretation can lead to overinvestment, underperformance, misplaced confidence, or infrastructure that fails to respond effectively to real-world conditions.

This session examines water modelling from a practical engineering and decision-making perspective. The webinar explores how models are developed, validated, interpreted, and applied across three waters infrastructure, flood management, growth planning, and climate resilience projects. Participants will gain practical insight into how engineers can balance technical rigour, uncertainty, stakeholder expectations, and real-world delivery considerations when using models to support infrastructure decisions.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Hydraulic and hydrological modelling fundamentals
• Three waters modelling applications
• Flood modelling and risk assessment
• Wastewater network performance modelling
• Growth planning and infrastructure capacity forecasting
• Calibration, validation, and model confidence
• Climate change assumptions and scenario testing
• Communicating uncertainty to decision-makers
• GIS, digital twins, and emerging modelling technologies
• AI applications in water modelling
• Common modelling pitfalls and decision-making risks
• Lessons from New Zealand infrastructure and flood resilience projects