Josie Ashe

My research utilises high-frequency data to assess how river water quality is affected by catchment response to change. Our monitoring covers both targeted high-frequency in-situ water quality and hydrometric monitoring, and event based and manual sampling for laboratory analysis. In my research I use both targeted (research focused) and routinely collected (operationally focused) high-frequency (5 or 15 minute) water quality and hydrometric data; part of my work is to improve use of the pattern-process information content of routinely collected data. Common themes in my research include the analysis of rainfall-runoff event scale dynamics (concentration-dilution, hysteresis, relationships with antecedent and event metrics) within the context of seasonal changes over multiple years.

To ensure the provision of clean and wholesome water (while minimising disinfection by-products, costs and optimising resources); researchers, water companies and other stakeholders must stay well informed about how drinking water sources are impacted by changes in land use and management, catchment conditions, climate, and emerging pollutants. My research supports evidence-based land and water management decision making.