scholarly journals How Does Digitization Succeed in the Municipal Water Sector? The WaterExe4.0 Meta-Study Identifies Barriers as well as Success Factors, and Reveals Expectations for the Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 7709
Author(s):  
Günter Müller-Czygan ◽  
Viktoriya Tarasyuk ◽  
Christian Wagner ◽  
Manuela Wimmer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Digital Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Industry ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
The Future ◽  
German Speaking

Water is increasingly taking center stage when it comes to coping with climate change. Especially in urban areas, negative consequences from heavy rainfall events and prolonged dry periods are rising worldwide. In the past, the various tasks of urban water management were performed by different departments that often did not cooperate with each other (water supply, wastewater disposal, green space irrigation, etc.), as the required water supply was not a question of available water volumes. This is already changing with climate change, in some cases even dramatically. More and more, it is necessary to consider how to distribute available water resources in urban areas, especially during dry periods, since wastewater treatment is also becoming more complex and costly. In the future, urban water management will examine water use in terms of its various objectives, and will need to provide alternative water resources for these different purposes (groundwater, river water, storm water, treated wastewater, etc.). The necessary technological interconnection requires intelligent digital systems. Furthermore, the water industry must also play its role in global CO2 reduction and make its procedural treatment processes more efficient; this will also only succeed with adequate digital systems. Although digitization has experienced an enormous surge in development over the last five years and numerous solutions are available to address the challenges described previously, there is still a large gap between the scope of offerings and their implementation. Researchers at Hof University of Applied Sciences have investigated the reasons for this imbalance as part of WaterExe4.0, the first meta-study on digitization in the German-speaking water industry, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Only 11% of roughly 700 identified products, projects and studies relate to real applications. For example, the surveyed experts of the water sector stated that everyday problems are considered too little or hardly at all in new solutions, which greatly overburdens users. Furthermore, they see no adequate possibility for a systematic analysis of new ideas to identify significant obstacles and to find the best way to start and implement a digitization project. The results from four methodologically different sub-surveys (literature and market research, survey, expert interviews and workshops) provide a reliable overview of the current situation in the German-speaking water industry and its expectations for the future. The results are also transferable to other countries.

Urban-Water Harmony model to evaluate the urban water management

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 1774-1781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Ding ◽  
Deshan Tang ◽  
Yuhang Wei ◽  
Sun Yin
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management

Water resources in many urban areas are under enormous stress due to large-scale urban expansion and population explosion. The decision-makers are often faced with the dilemma of either maintaining high economic growth or protecting water resources and the environment. Simple criteria of water supply and drainage do not reflect the requirement of integrated urban water management. The Urban-Water Harmony (UWH) model is based on the concept of harmony and offers a more integrated approach to urban water management. This model calculates four dimensions, namely urban development, urban water services, water–society coordination, and water environment coordination. And the Analytic Hierarchy Process has been used to determine the indices weights. We applied the UWH model to Beijing, China for an 11-year assessment. Our findings show that, despite the severe stress inherent in rapid development and water shortage, the urban water relationship of Beijing is generally evolving in a positive way. The social–economic factors such as the water recycling technologies contribute a lot to this change. The UWH evaluation can provide a reasonable analysis approach to combine various urban and water indices to produce an integrated and comparable evaluation index. This, in turn, enables more effective water management in decision-making processes.

A conceptual framework for addressing complexity and unfolding transition dynamics when developing sustainable adaption strategies in urban water management

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2393-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Fratini ◽  
M. Elle ◽  
M. B. Jensen ◽  
P. S. Mikkelsen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
System Optimization ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Transition

To achieve a successful and sustainable adaptation to climate change we need to transform the way we think about change. Much water management research has focused on technical innovation with a range of new solutions developed to achieve a ‘more sustainable and integrated urban water management cycle’. But Danish municipalities and utility companies are struggling to bring such solutions into practice. ‘Green infrastructure’, for example, requires the consideration of a larger range of aspects related to the urban context than the traditional urban water system optimization. There is the need for standardized methods and guidelines to organize transdisciplinary processes where different types of knowledge and perspectives are taken into account. On the basis of the macro–meso–micro pattern inspired by complexity science and transition theory, we developed a conceptual framework to organize processes addressing the complexity characterizing urban water management in the context of climate change. In this paper the framework is used to organize a research process aiming at understanding and unfolding urban dynamics for sustainable transition. The final goal is to enable local authorities and utilities to create the basis for managing and catalysing the technical and organizational innovation necessary for a sustainable transition towards climate change adaptation in urban areas.

scholarly journals Mapping Institutional Landscape for Integrated Urban Water Management in Haldwani City, Uttarakhand

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-65
Author(s):  
Anvita Pandey ◽  
Manya Singh ◽  
Riyan Habeeb ◽  
Vishal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Rain Water ◽  
Water Harvesting ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Rain Water Harvesting ◽  
Integrated Urban Water Management ◽  
The City

According to the latest government reports, India is facing evident shortfall of water in various parts of the country, and Himalayan states are likely to suffer the impacts of climate change related to water more than non-Himalayan states. Water resources are expected to affect Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, and future projections are far more upsetting. In this light, sustainable and adaptive strategies such as integrated water resources management, nature-based solutions have been promoted globally for sustainable and integrated urban water management. The paper inquires into functions of respective institutions and their possibilities to adopt possible nature-based solutions such as rain water harvesting in response to water insecurity and adaptation in times of climate change. Taking case of Haldwani city, the paper assesses water demand and supply gaps, the existing water institutions, their scope of work and water management mechanism. Further, the scope of adoption of possible nature-based solution is explored by the purview of their work in water management. This was derived through an in-depth literature review, stakeholder consultations as key informant interviews, and participatory mapping. Haldwani has experienced severe water scarcity due to depletion of groundwater, decline in the discharge rate of river Gaula, and drying of springs in and around the city. Various agencies manage the existing water resources in isolation and mismanagement of water is one of the prominent problems in the city. The paper delves into the nuances of various strategic interventions, and the respective institutional capability to undertake the same. While most of the strategies prevalent at international level are yet to be adopted in context of Himalayan cities, a key finding is that rain water harvesting system can be easily taken up as a nature based solution by each of the institutions since it also falls in their scope of work as well as to meet the city’s present and future water challenges.

scholarly journals Water demand management – shifting urban water management towards sustainability

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kayaga ◽  
I. Smout ◽  
H. Al-Maskati
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
High Rate ◽  
World Population ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Water Demand Management

Whereas the world population is increasing at a high rate, especially in urban areas, water resources have not only remained constant, but are being polluted at a high rate, which inevitably results in fresh water scarcity. Current urban water management concepts and practices cannot adequately respond to these changes. There is need for water professionals to change the way they manage water resources in urban areas if we are to ensure economic and environmental sustainability. In addition to consideration of supply-side options, we need to apply water demand management (WDM) tools both on the utility and end-user sides. This paper describes the basic concepts of WDM, provides a case study of their application in Bahrain, and briefly introduces the five-year EU-funded SWTCH Project that aims at creating a paradigm shift in urban water management practices.

Urban Water Resources Toolbox - Integrating Groundwater into Urban Water Management

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (0) ◽  
pp. 9781780402437-9781780402437 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wolf ◽  
B. Morris ◽  
S. Burn
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management

scholarly journals A Research Agenda for the Future of Urban Water Management: Exploring the Potential of Nongrid, Small-Grid, and Hybrid Solutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 5312-5322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Hoffmann ◽  
Ulrike Feldmann ◽  
Peter M. Bach ◽  
Christian Binz ◽  
Megan Farrelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Hybrid Solutions ◽  
The Future

Urban water demand assessment for sustainable water resources management, under climate change and socioeconomic changes

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 679-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelos Alamanos ◽  
Stamatis Sfyris ◽  
Chrysostomos Fafoutis ◽  
Nikitas Mylopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Sustainable Water Resources Management ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Abstract The relationship between water abstraction and water availability has turned into a major stress factor in the urban exploitation of water resources. The situation is expected to be sharpened in the future due to the intensity of extreme meteorological phenomena, and socio-economic changes affecting water demand. In the city of Volos, Greece, the number of water counters has been tripled during the last four decades. This study attempts to simulate the city's network, supply system and water demand through a forecasting model. The forecast was examined under several situations, based on climate change and socio-economic observations of the city, using meteorological, water pricing, users' income, level of education, family members, floor and residence size variables. The most interesting outputs are: (a) the impact of each variable in the water consumption and (b) water balance under four management scenarios, indicating the future water management conditions of the broader area, including demand and supply management. The results proved that rational water management can lead to remarkable water conservation. The simulation of real scenarios and future situations in the city's water demand and balance, is the innovative element of the study, making it capable of supporting the local water utility.

A water efficiency rating system for land developments implementing integrated urban water management

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hunt ◽  
M. Anda ◽  
K. Mathew ◽  
G. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Financial Reward ◽  
Integrated Urban Water Management

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) in land developments is becoming increasingly necessary in order to more efficiently utilise and manage water resources. Techniques including the control of stormwater runoff, increasing infiltration and providing opportunities for retention, treatment and reuse of both stormwater and wastewater, are well suited to being designed into the development rather than considered post-construction or not at all. There can be extensive capital investment by developers to implement IUWM which is often not returned in the land sales. This produces a disincentive for the developer unless the contribution is recognised and rewarded either financially or with appropriate marketing advantage. A system to rate land developments based upon IUWM has been developed that would quantifiably assess how effectively water resources would be utilised in a proposed land development. This assessment would provide a point of comparison between developments allowing property purchasers, developers, utilities and legislators to quickly compare how well the development performs in terms of IUWM, providing a mechanism for financial reward or recognition. This paper discusses the development of a model to quantifiably assess land developments for water efficient use and introduces a rating system with which land developments can be compared in terms of IUWM.

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