scholarly journals Water-resource stress on the Spanish Costa del Sol: policy requirements to improve supply security

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-971
Author(s):  
Manuel Argamasilla-Ruiz ◽  
Stephen Foster ◽  
Bartolome Andreo-Navarro

Abstract The Costa del Sol, in common with many Mediterranean (and similar) coastal areas, is having to face increasing water-resource stress as a result of global warming and land-use change, coupled with extremely high peak water demand resulting from large tourist numbers and summer climatic factors. An assessment is presented of current water-supply provision, possible measures to enhance the resilience of the water-supply system (focusing on improved use of groundwater storage), and the institutional challenges confronting their implementation.

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Miller ◽  
B. Whitehill ◽  
D. Deere

This paper comments on the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies for risk assessment, appropriate for utilisation by Australian Water Utilities in risk assessment for drinking water source protection areas. It is intended that a suggested methodology be recommended as a national approach to catchment risk assessment. Catchment risk management is a process for setting priorities for protecting drinking water quality in source water areas. It is structured through a series of steps for identifying water quality hazards, assessing the threat posed, and prioritizing actions to address the threat. Water management organisations around Australia are at various stages of developing programs for catchment risk management. While much conceptual work has been done on the individual components of catchment risk management, work on these components has not previously been combined to form a management tool for source water protection. A key driver for this project has been the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality (DWQMF) included in the draft 2002 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). The Framework outlines a quality management system of steps for the Australian water industry to follow with checks and balances to ensure water quality is protected from catchment to tap. Key steps in the Framework that relate to this project are as follows: Element 2 Assessment of the Drinking Water Supply System• Water Supply System analysis• Review of Water Quality Data• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Element 3 Preventive Measures for Drinking Water Quality Management• Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers• Critical Control Points This paper provides an evaluation of the following risk assessment techniques: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP); World Health Organisation Water Safety Plans; Australian Standard AS 4360; and The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – Drinking Water Quality Management Framework. These methods were selected for assessment in this report as they provided coverage of the different approaches being used across Australia by water utilities of varying: scale of water management organisation; types of water supply system management; and land use and activity-based risks in the catchment area of the source. Initially, different risk assessment methodologies were identified and reviewed. Then examples of applications of those methods were assessed, based on several key water utilities across Australia and overseas. Strengths and weaknesses of each approach were identified. In general there seems some general grouping of types of approaches into those that: cover the full catchment-to-tap drinking water system; cover just the catchment area of the source and do not recognise downstream barriers or processes; use water quality data or land use risks as a key driving component; and are based primarily on the hazard whilst others are based on a hazardous event. It is considered that an initial process of screening water quality data is very valuable in determining key water quality issues and guiding the risk assessment, and to the overall understanding of the catchment and water source area, allowing consistency with the intentions behind the ADWG DWQM Framework. As such, it is suggested that the recommended national risk assessment approach has two key introductory steps: initial screening of key issues via water quality data, and land use or activity scenario and event-based HACCP-style risk assessment. In addition, the importance of recognising the roles that uncertainty and bias plays in risk assessments was highlighted. As such it was deemed necessary to develop and integrate uncertainty guidelines for information used in the risk assessment process. A hybrid risk assessment methodology was developed, based on the HACCP approach, but with some key additions and modifications to make it applicable to varying catchment risks, water supply operation needs and environmental management processes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolijn van Engelenburg ◽  
Erik van Slobbe ◽  
Adriaan J. Teuling ◽  
Remko Uijlenhoet ◽  
Petra Hellegers

Abstract. Developments such as climate change and growing demand for drinking water threaten the sustainability of drinking water supply worldwide. To deal with this threat, adaptation of drinking water supply systems is imperative, not only on a global and national scale, but particularly on a local scale. This investigation sought to establish characteristics that describe the sustainability of local drinking water supply. We use an integrated systems approach, describing the local drinking water supply system in terms of hydrological, technical and socio-economic characteristics that determine the sustainability of a local drinking water supply system. Three cases on drinking water supply in the Netherlands are analysed. One case relates to a short-term development, that is the 2018 summer drought, and two concern long-term phenomena, that is, changes in water quality and growth in drinking water demand. The approach taken recognises that next to extreme weather events, socio-economic developments will be among the main drivers of changes in drinking water supply. Effects of pressures associated with, for example, population growth, industrial developments and land use changes, could result in limited water resource availability, deteriorated groundwater quality and growing water demand. To gain a perspective on the case study findings broader than the Dutch context, the sustainability issues identified were paired with global issues concerning sustainable drinking water supply. This resulted in a proposed set of generally applicable sustainability characteristics, each divided into five criteria describing the hydrological, technical and socio-economic sustainability of a local drinking water supply system. Elaboration of these sustainability characteristics and criteria into a sustainability assessment can provide information on the challenges and trade-offs inherent in the sustainable development and management of a local drinking water supply system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Gwozdziej-Mazur ◽  
Kamil Świętochowski

Water losses in the water supply network pose a continuous challenge for water companies. Already during designing new networks, the designer assumes that the amount of water demand must be increased by a certain percentage (usually by 10% of the total average daily water demand for municipal and industrial purposes) due to the possible occurrence of water losses. Water loss is meant the difference between the amount of water injected into the network and the amount of water used and invoiced, i.e. that brings income for the water supply company. Proper water metering management helps to limit water losses. This paper presents analysis of the water meter management of urban-rural water supply system.


Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Jiang ◽  
Chunguang He ◽  
Wenbo Luo ◽  
Haijun Yang ◽  
Lianxi Sheng ◽  
...  

Habitat loss is a key factor affecting Siberian crane stopovers. The accurate calculation of water supply and effective water resource management schemes plays an important role in stopover habitat restoration for the Siberian crane. In this paper, the ecological water demand was calculated and corrected by developing a three-dimensional model. The results indicated that the calculated minimum and optimum ecological water demand values for the Siberian crane were 2.47 × 108 m3~3.66 × 108 m3 and 4.96 × 108 m3~10.36 × 108 m3, respectively, in the study area. After correction with the three-dimensional model, the minimum and optimum ecological water demand values were 3.75 × 108 m3 and 5.21 × 108 m3, respectively. A water resource management scheme was established to restore Siberian crane habitat. Continuous, area-specific and simulated flood water supply options based on water diversions were used to supply water. The autumn is the best season for area-specific and simulating flood water supply. These results can serve as a reference for protecting other waterbirds and restoring wetlands in semi-arid areas.


Author(s):  
Arezoo Boroomandnia ◽  
Omid Bozorg-Haddad ◽  
Jimmy Yu ◽  
Mariam Darestani

Abstract Fast-growing water demand, population growth, global climate change, and water quality deterioration all drive scientists to apply novel approaches to water resource management. Nanotechnology is one of the state-of-the-art tools in scientists’ hands which they can use to meet human water needs via reuse of water and utilizing unconventional water resources. Additionally, monitoring water supply systems using new nanomaterials provides more efficient water distribution networks. In this chapter, we consider the generic concepts of nanotechnology and its effects on water resources management strategies. A wide range of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, including nano-adsorbents, nano-photocatalysts, and nano-membranes, are introduced to explain the role of nanotechnology in providing new water resources to meet growing demand. Also, nanomaterial application as a water alternative in industry, reducing water demand in the industrial sector, is presented. Another revolution made by nanomaterials, also discussed in this chapter, is their use in water supply systems for monitoring probable leakage and leakage reduction. Finally, we present case studies that clarify the influence of nanotechnology on water resources and their management strategies. These case studies prove the importance and inevitable application of nanotechnology to satisfy the rising water demand in the modern world, and show the necessity of nanotechnology awareness for today's water experts.


Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Missimer ◽  
Philip A. Danser ◽  
Gary Amy ◽  
Thomas Pankratz

Many large population centres are currently facing considerable difficulties with planning issues to secure future water supplies, as a result of water allocation and environmental issues, litigation, and political dogma. A classic case occurs in the metropolitan Atlanta area, which is a rapidly growing, large population centre that relies solely on surface water for supply. Lake Lanier currently supplies about 70% of the water demand and has been involved in a protracted legal dispute for more than two decades. Drought and environmental management of the reservoir combined to create a water shortage which nearly caused a disaster to the region in 2007 (only about 35 days of water supply was in reserve). While the region has made progress in controlling water demand by implementing a conservation plan, per capita use projections are still very high (at 511 L/day in 2035). Both non-potable reuse and indirect reuse of treated wastewater are contained in the most current water supply plan with up to 380,000 m3/day of wastewater treated using advanced wastewater treatment (nutrient removal) to be discharged into Lake Lanier. The water supply plan, however, includes no additional or new supply sources and has deleted any reference to the use of seawater desalination or other potential water sources which would provide diversification, thereby relying solely on the Coosa and Chattahoochee river reservoirs for the future.


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