A group of researchers from the UNSW School of Safety Science and the Department of Statistics were awarded the first stage of a collaborative research grant, by the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). The research aims to develop the statistical methodology capable of comprehensively analysing the Authority's water quality data to inform SCA's operational and strategic management of Sydney's drinking water catchments. The project chief investigators are Dr Daniela Leonte and Dr Spiridon Penev.