Economic effects of the consolidation of water utilities in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 909-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Shibuya ◽  
Francesc Hernández-Sancho ◽  
María Molinos-Senante
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Empirical Application ◽  
Japanese Water

Water utilities are affected by economies of scale. However, in Japan most water utilities are small-scale water services. Therefore, they face enormous difficulties in terms of financial and personnel resources. To take advantage of economies of scale, the consolidation of water utilities has been promoted since 1965 by Japanese water authorities. The measure has been successful to some extent; nevertheless, consolidation has not progressed in recent years as was expected. This paper identifies the main barriers that hinder the consolidation of water utilities in Japan and describes the new promotion plan for the consolidation of water utilities developed by the Japan Water Works Association. To assess the economic effects of consolidation, an empirical application is carried out involving four real Japanese cities. The results will be useful to water authorities considering consolidation in the long-term planning of urban water management.

Futures: an exploration of scenarios for sustainable urban water management

Water Policy ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Makropoulos ◽  
F. A. Memon ◽  
C. Shirley-Smith ◽  
D. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Future Scenarios ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Uncertain Future

The paper discusses issues related to the development of future scenarios appropriate for preparing robust, sustainable urban water management strategies. A discussion of existing approaches to future scenarios and their use in water management at an urban rather than catchment scale is included, from conventional to more radical, and their critical comparison is attempted. The paper presents a framework for scenario-variants generation and provides examples of its possible implementation in a component analysis of urban water management. Four major components of urban water are selected (stormwater, drinking water, wastewater and their integration through recycling) and their possible evolution under seven different scenarios is examined by means of regulatory, social, economic, environmental and technical drivers. It is anticipated that this work will further support the growing interest in providing tools for long term strategic planning into an uncertain future.

scholarly journals Exploring the Development of the Sponge City Program (SCP): The Case of Gui'an New District, Southwest China

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfei Qi ◽  
Faith Ka Shun Chan ◽  
Emily C. O'Donnell ◽  
Meili Feng ◽  
Yanfang Sang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Sponge City ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Water Issues

Rapid urbanization has sharply increased the pressure of urban water issues (e.g., urban flooding and water pollution) in the Chinese megacities during last three decades. Sustainable urban water management approaches, such as Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and Low Impact Developments (LIDs), have successfully delivered long-term benefits to cities in Europe and North America. Similarly, the Chinese Sponge City Program (SCP) initiated in 2013 and experimented in 30 pilot Chinese cities. This paper reviewed the first stage of the SCP from 2015 to 2020 by using observation, Semi-Structured Interview (SSI) and Focus Group Approach (FGA) in context of Gui'an New Distinct, SW China to investigate the SCP progress and issues: (1). whether it is effectively solving urban water issues; (2). if there are any major challenges and barriers in the SCP practice. The findings of this case study provide potential solutions for improving the SCP and sustainable urban water management and possibly transform to other Sponge Cities in China.

scholarly journals Upstream pollution control by water utilities in Sweden: incentives and challenges

Water Policy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Fältström ◽  
Sara Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
The Other ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Organisational Structure ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Harmful Substances ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed to handle many harmful substances that are present in the wastewater. The substances can also be transferred to the sewage sludge, which can make it unsuitable as a fertiliser. To alleviate these problems, Sweden has a practice called upstream work (uppströmsarbete) that aims to prevent harmful substances from entering the wastewater via efforts to control the pollution closer to the source. Upstream work has produced positive results in terms of reduced pollution in water and sludge and is seen as an important practice by both practicians and policymakers. In this paper, we investigate the incentives and challenges for upstream work as experienced by practitioners at municipal water utilities. The results show that there are two types of incentives: one related to practical problems and the other related to a perceived responsibility for the wastewater system and for the environment. The challenges were primarily related to an insufficient organisational structure for upstream work, manifested in unclear responsibilities, lack of prioritisation, and insufficient resources. The findings can be used to expand and initiate pollution control upstream of the WWTP as part of the urban water management, as well as decision support for policymakers.

Sustainable urban water systems in rich and poor cities - steps towards a new approach

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Newman
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Community Based ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
The 19Th Century

The ‘big pipes in, big pipes out’ approach to urban water management was developed in the 19th century for a particular linear urban form. Large, sprawling car-dependent cities are pushing this approach to new limits in rich cities and it has never worked in poor cities. An alternative which uses new small-scale technology and is more community-based, is suggested for both rich and poor countries. The Sydney Olympics and a demonstration project in Java show that the approach can work.

ANALYTICS FOR SUPPORTING URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 875-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Candelieri ◽  
Francesco Archetti ◽  
Enza Messina
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management

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

Coping with uncertainties in integrated urban water management

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Govert D. Geldof
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Integrated Water Management ◽  
Good Design ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Simulation Results

In the practice of integrated water management we meet complexity, subjectivity and uncertainties. Uncertainties come into play when new urban water management techniques are applied. The art of a good design is not to reduce uncertainties as much as possible, but to find the middle course between cowardice and recklessness. This golden mean represents bravery. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to reach consensus. Calculating uncertainties by using Monte Carlo simulation results may be helpful.

scholarly journals Urban Water Management: A Pragmatic Approach

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3589
Author(s):  
Bruno Brunone ◽  
Marco Franchini
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Electronic Conference

When the 4th edition of the International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences (ECWS-4), sponsored by Water and MDPI, was launched, the COVID-19 pandemic did not exist at all [...]

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document