Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta

Contributions to Knowledge Dr Prasanna Egodawatta has made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in relation to stormwater quality modelling. His has contributed significantly to the development of state-of-the-art pollutant processes models; application of processes models in enhanced modelling tools and development of enhanced methodologies for calibration and uncertainty assessment of models.   Prasanna has contributed extensively to the knowledge bases in relation to the processes and pathways of urban toxic pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. His research contributions include classification and quantification of toxic pollutants from urban sources, and developing methodologies to predict heavy metals and hydrocarbon contributions based on catchment and traffic characteristic. His recent research work significantly enhanced the knowledge in relation to the assessment of risks posted by toxic pollutants in urban stormwater.   Prasanna’s research outputs also extend the understanding of the factors influencing physical and chemical characteristics of stormwater pollutants, leading to an in-depth understanding of stormwater chemistry and pollutant transformations.   Prasanna has pioneered the application of multivariate analysis techniques and use of statistical tools for the analysis of large and complex databases derived from urban water quality research. Prasanna has also contributed significantly to the development of novel approaches for enhanced stormwater quality management.   Industry Engagements (1)      Review of Performance of Holcim Jellyfish filter in Mackay/South East Queensland conditions (Client: Holcim (Australia) Pty Limited).

• The project was a comprehensive performance assessment of Jellyfish filter for Queensland climate conditions by translating performance characteristics from Florida USA and using data obtained from a detailed monitoring program.
• The project outcomes helped obtaining conditional approval for installation of Jellyfish filter in Local Council regions.

  (2)      Testing of SPEL Environmental product performance – Ormiston (SPEL Environmental Pty Ltd.)

• The project is a comprehensive performance assessment of SPEL Stormscak and StormFilter for Queensland climate conditions using data obtained from a detailed monitoring program.
• This is to obtain conditional approval to install SPEL Stormscak and StormFilter within Local Council regions.

  (3)      Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) application auditing (Applied Research Project) (Gold Coast City Council)

• This project was to assess condition of stormwater treatment systems and organizational strategy within Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) in relation to water sensitive urban design (WSUD) implementations.
  • The project enabled direct communication with GCCC WSUD working group, enabling effective transfer of recommendations for supporting policy changes.

  (4)      ARC Linkage project: Adaptation of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) to climate change, changing transport patterns and urban form (Industry partners: Gold Coast City Council and Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland)

• The project developed methodologies to predict changes in future air quality and stormwater quality due to changes in transport patterns and urban form
• The recommendations the project include strategies for adaptation of water sensitive urban design to climate change, changing transport patterns and urban form.

  (5)      Evaluating the performance of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) (Industry partners: Gold Coast City Council and Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland)

• The project involved performance auditing of water sensitive urban design treatment trains under South East Queensland climatic conditions.
  • The project developed conceptual models to replicate hydraulic and water quality treatment characteristics of stormwater wetlands and bioretention systems.

  (6)      Stormwater quality modelling at Port of Brisbane (Industry partner: Port of Brisbane Corporation) The project evaluated port specific land uses for stormwater pollution based on their pollutant generation and wash-off characteristics.

• Liu, A., Egodawatta, P., McGree, J., Goonetilleke, A. & Ma, Y. (2017). Quantitative assessment of human health risk posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban road dust. Science of the Total Environment, 575, 895–904. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/103132
• Mahappu Kankanamalage, B., Egodawatta, P., McGree, J. & Goonetilleke, A. (2016). Assessing uncertainty in stormwater quality modelling. Water Research, 103, 10–20. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/101975
• Amarasinghe, P., Liu, A., Egodawatta, P., Barnes, P., McGree, J. & Goonetilleke, A. (2016). Quantitative assessment of resilience of a water supply system under rainfall reduction due to climate change. Journal of Hydrology, 540, 1043–1052. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/101973
• Nanayakkara Mummullage, S., Egodawatta, P., Ayoko, G. & Goonetilleke, A. (2016). Sources of hydrocarbons in urban road dust: Identification, quantification and prediction. Environmental Pollution, 216, 80–85. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/96496
• Gunawardana, C., Egodawatta, P. & Goonetilleke, A. (2015). Adsorption and mobility of metals in build-up on road surfaces. Chemosphere, 119, 1391–1398. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/79647
• Gunawardana, C., Egodawatta, P. & Goonetilleke, A. (2014). Role of particle size and composition in metal adsorption by solids deposited on urban road surfaces. Environmental Pollution, 184, 44–53. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/63301
• Mutunacharige Amarawickrama Gu, J., Egodawatta, P., Ayoko, G. & Goonetilleke, A. (2013). Atmospheric deposition as a source of heavy metals in urban stormwater. Atmospheric Environment, 68, 235–242. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/56169
• Gunawardana, W., Goonetilleke, A., Egodawatta, P., Dawes, L. & Kokot, S. (2012). Source characterisation of road dust based on chemical and mineralogical composition. Chemosphere, 87(2), 163–170. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/49070
• Egodawatta, P., Thomas, E. & Goonetilleke, A. (2009). Understanding the physical processes of pollutant build-up and wash-off on roof surfaces. Science of the Total Environment, 407(6), 1834–1841. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/26519
• Egodawatta, P., Thomas, E. & Goonetilleke, S. (2007). Mathematical Interpretation of Pollutant Wash-off from Urban Road Surfaces using Simulated Rainfall. Water Research, 41(13), 3025–3031. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/8736

Title

Adaptation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to Climate Change, Changing Transport Patterns and Urban Form

Primary fund type

CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant

Project ID

LP0882637

Start year

2008

Keywords

Stormwater Quality; Urban Water Quality; Water Sensitive Urban Design; Transport Impacts; Climate Change Impacts; Stormwater Infrastructure

• Assessing Uncertainty in Relation to Urban Stormwater Pollutant Processes (2016)
• Source Characterisation of Urban Road Surface Pollutants for Enhanced Water Quality Predictions (2015)
• Resilience of Water Supply Systems in Meeting the Challenges Posed by Climate Change and Population Growth (2014)
• First Flush Behaviour in Urban Residential Catchments (2013)
• Role of Hydraulic Factors in Constructed Wetland and Bioretention Basin Treatment Performance (2013)
• Relating Vehicle Generated Pollutants to Urban Stormwater Quality (2012)
• Impact of Urban Traffic and Climate Change on Water Quality from Road Runoff (2011)
• Influence of physical and chemical properties of solids on heavy metal absorption (2011)
• Influence of rainfall and catchment characteristics on urban stormwater quality (2011)
• Nutrients build-up and wash-off processes in urban land uses (2009)