Managing Water for the City of the Future
Theme 3: Efficient Water Supply and Use
Introduction
Current state-of-the-art water supply management in both the European and DC context continues to rely largely on technical solutions for the provision of water, treated to drinking standards, to urban users irrespective of the intended use for the water. Examples of citywide initiatives to manage demand for water through incentives, awareness raising, levies, reuse of wastewater and reallocation of supply do exist. However, these and other options and their effective implementation in different contexts and climates are still considered 'alternative' (in the pejorative sense) and are often not among the standard range of options that decision makers and planners consider as a matter of course. As changes occur in the availability of water resources, more 'alternative' options that are already being tested on a small scale in arid and wet climates may prove to be viable options under these changing conditions. Thus, this Integrated Project will allow us not only to gain insight into current urban water supply practices in the demonstration cities, but also provide the opportunity for exchange of experiences to learn about what alternative approaches in use around the world may contribute to enhanced water supply management.
Another innovative aspect of this research project is the collection of qualitative, as well as quantitative, information about water supply management practices and uses, the benefits and costs of current systems as well as potential options for demonstration projects prioritised by stakeholders. The use of qualitative information systems (QIS) allows for information about the equity of stakeholders involvement, for instance, to be quantified. This will enable us to monitor and measure how aspects such as gender, equity and stakeholder participation contribute to greater sustainability of systems and services. Existing research on these aspects in relation to water supply is often limited to examinations of women's involvement, which does not tell the full story of exclusion or privilege as other aspects also come into play. In many instances they impact upon one's access to affordable and sufficient water supply. Such challenges are not limited to developing countries, but pervade systems in Europe as well. As high levels of inmigration to European cities augment competition between resident and new community members, enhanced knowledge about conflict management with regard to water supply will also be called for.
Click here to read more about the rationale, objectives, approach and activities for Theme 3.
Click here for an overview presentation of Theme 3, given by Avner Adin.
Work packages
3.1: Demand management for optimization of urban water services
3.2: Safe water reuse
3.3: Urban water supply and use - other productive reuses
Each work package is divided into several tasks. Click here to view more information about the objectives, deliverables, milestones and planning for each task.
Resources
Click here to view a list of all resources associated with theme 3 and to download those of interest.
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