scholarly journals Collaborative, Risk-Informed, Triple Bottom Line, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Planning Framework for Integrated Urban Water Management

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Cole ◽  
Sybil Sharvelle ◽  
Neil Grigg ◽  
Gary Pivo ◽  
Jon Haukaas
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Decision Analysis ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Planning Framework

The historical division of water management into different sectors, with financially and technologically driven decision processes, makes taking a more holistic approach to finding sustainable solutions for urban water management difficult. Here, a planning framework for Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) that evolved during a two-year study evaluating alternative strategies for dual water supply within a local government context is described. The planning framework was developed to overcome the obstacles that surfaced over the course of the study. It provides a structured approach to strategic decision making that integrates triple bottom line (TBL), multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and participatory decision making into an exploration of water supply alternatives. TBL assured stakeholders that the decisions considered the financial, social, and environmental performance. MCDA provided visibility into the benefits and trade-offs of the alternatives by providing a quantitative method for comparing alternatives that incorporates incommensurate performance indicators and priorities of multiple stakeholders. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses addressed concerns regarding decision risk and improved transparency into inputs driving uncertainty in the analysis. Finally, a flexible participatory process helped to circumvent socio-institutional barriers by adapting the methodology and increasing cooperation among stakeholders and multidisciplinary experts. The resulting collaborative, risk-informed, TBL-MCDA (CRTM) planning framework helps to refine the feasible set of alternatives by providing more transparency into the drivers, technologies, and stakeholders influencing the decision. The planning framework increased the number of participants that were involved in the study, increased interaction between participants, changed the structure of the decision problem, increased the number of performance indicators considered, and improved stakeholder cooperation in the decision process.

A brief history of water supply and wastewater management in ancient Greece

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Angelakis ◽  
D. S. Spyridakis
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Ancient Greece ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
History Of ◽  
Water And Wastewater ◽  
Greek Civilization

The evolution of urban water management in ancient Greece begins in Crete during the Middle Bronze and the beginning of the Late Bronze Ages (ca. 2000–1500 B.C.) when many remarkable developments occurred in several stages as Minoan civilization flourished on the island. One of its salient characteristics was the architectural and hydraulic function of its water supply and sewerage systems in the Minoan Palaces and several other settlements. These technologies, though they do not give a complete picture of water supply and wastewater and storm water technologies in ancient Greece, indicate nevertheless that such technologies have been used in Greece since prehistoric times. Minoan water and wastewater technologies were diffused to the Greek mainland in the subsequent phases of Greek civilization, i.e. in the Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The scope of this article is the presentation of the most characteristic forms of ancient hydraulic works and related technologies and their uses in past Greek civilizations.

Realising sustainable urban water management: Can social theory help?

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Bos ◽  
R. R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
System Change ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Social Theories ◽  
Technical Systems

It has been acknowledged, in Australia and beyond, that existing urban water systems and management lead to unsustainable outcomes. Therefore, our current socio-technical systems, consisting of institutions, structures and rules, which guide traditional urban water practices, need to change. If a change towards sustainable urban water management (SUWM) practices is to occur, a transformation of our established social-technical configuration that shapes the behaviour and decision making of actors is needed. While some constructive innovations that support this transformation have occurred, most innovations remain of a technical nature. These innovative projects do not manage to achieve the widespread social and institutional change needed for further diffusion and uptake of SUWM practices. Social theory, and its research, is increasingly being recognised as important in responding to the challenges associated with evolving to a more sustainable form of urban water management. This paper integrates three areas of social theories around change in order to provide a conceptual framework that can assist with socio-technical system change. This framework can be utilised by urban water practitioners in the design of interventions to stimulate transitions towards SUWM.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Current Issues in Water Supply Systems and Implications for Sustainable Urban Water Management in Limbe, South West Region of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-74
Author(s):  
Baba Adamu ◽  
Ndi Humphrey N. ◽  
Balgah Sounders N.
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Urban Growth ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Supply Systems

Water supply system has played a significant role in the growth, development and wellbeing of cities. Until now, meeting the need of city residents in terms of availability, reliability, and access to a good quality water supply is a major challenge facing many denizens of the 21st Century due to unprecedented urban growth and urbanization rates. This study is out to examine the current issues and challenges to water supply systems in Limbe. The study adopted the mix method approach which involves triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Primary data were obtained from field observations, interviews and the administration of 383 questionnaires to households and stakeholders. Secondary data were obtained from relevant official documents, published and unpublished sources relevant to water supply systems. Satellite imageries and ArcGIS were used to describe the pattern of growth in built-up areas between 1986 and 2019. Data from the questionnaire were entered using Epi Data Version 3.1, analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science Standard version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel and presented in the form of tables, figures, plates and maps. Findings revealed that, although the water supply accessibility by utilities has improved significantly, the reliability, distribution, flow frequency, supply, price and quality are still low. The inaccessibility and unreliability in the water supply have turned most households to alternative sources with poor quality. Unsustain urbanization and urban growth are occurring through infills in city remaining open spaces and ‘out spill’ and expansion at the outskirt without a concurrent increase, upgrading or extension of water supply infrastructural systems resulting to congestion, conflict over allocation, long-distance trekking to source water, deterioration of basic social services, pollution, inaccessibility amongst to ensure efficient water supply systems and sustainable urban water management. The paper, therefore, calls for the rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated water supply structures, extension and upgrading basic services, limit urbanization and urban growth, encourage the construction and use of alternative water sources, community participation amongst others for sustainable urban water supply management.

Rethinking the urban water management of Copenhagen

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Binning ◽  
M.B. Hauger ◽  
M. Rygaard ◽  
A.M. Eilersen ◽  
H.J. Albrechtsen
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Reference Scenario ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Current Water

Copenhagen currently relies on imported groundwater for its drinking water supply, but must become less reliant on external resources in future. A set of 9 scenarios for future water supply and waste water management are developed with the aim of making Copenhagen’s water supply entirely self sufficient. The scenarios are based on an analysis of current and past societal perceptions, mega trends and a catalogue of world’s best practice in urban water management. An initial screening of the scenarios is conducted by comparing them with a reference scenario (the current water supply) for the most important criteria. Perceptions, mega trends and evaluation criteria were identified by a stakeholder workshop. The scenarios that appear most promising are: central recirculation delivering water from a desalination and recycled grey water plant; a green city that relies on rainwater for supply and wastewater is separated and treated locally; a market driven water supply delivering various qualities of water and having separating sewage streams; and a local technological society where high tech treatment is used to produce and treat water within a neighbourhood.

scholarly journals Role of Models in the Decision-Making Process in Integrated Urban Water Management: A Review

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1252
Author(s):  
Leila Mosleh ◽  
Masoud Negahban-Azar
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Integrated Urban Water Management ◽  
Wide Range

Managing urban water systems in which stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water sectors affect each other is a difficult task that requires the right modeling tools for decision making. Integrated urban water management models (IUWMs) are tools that allow decision makers to demonstrate the effectiveness of various management, operational and design strategies. Although models are useful tools, the wide range of available models with many different capabilities make it challenging for the users to select an appropriate model for their specific objectives. In this review we investigated the capabilities of popular models in IUWM. We developed a comprehensive list of indicators to compare the capabilities of the models. We also analyzed the application of these models in a comparative way and evaluated their input requirements. Finally, we provided a procedure to select the appropriate model in the management environment based on the user’s needs. In summary, the results show that most of the models’ applications are focused on supply and demand, wastewater management, and stormwater management. Very few models consider social factors and policy aspects in IUWM. While each model has its own advantages, we found some of them, such as MIKE Urban, Hydro Planner, and Aqua Cycle, to be more comprehensive. Nevertheless, there are still gaps in the models in areas such as water-energy nexus, evaluating ecosystem services, including socioeconomic factors and sustainability analysis.

Design of an institutional decision-making process: The case of urban water management

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 1030-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Starkl ◽  
Norbert Brunner ◽  
Werner Flögl ◽  
Johann Wimmer
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management

Planning scales and approval processes for IUWM projects; lessons from Melbourne, Australia

Water Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 783-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey Furlong ◽  
Saman De Silva ◽  
Lachlan Guthrie
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
International Research ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Financial Evaluation ◽  
Water Planning ◽  
Research Programmes

In the Australian context integrated urban water management (IUWM) processes consistently recommend the implementation of recycled water and stormwater harvesting projects. These projects are typically decentralised and planned by a variety of organisational types. Major international research programmes have thus far focused on how IUWM should be operationalised as a single-tier, city scale planning system. This study investigates IUWM in relation to two under researched aspects: planning scales and approval processes, by investigating eight project case studies from Melbourne, Australia. Results reveal that IUWM projects are often planned at the sub-regional and local scales, without coordination from metro scale strategies, and that many of these projects are experiencing issues achieving final approvals. Major barriers to approval include a lack of communication between regulators and planners, and the absence of consistent financial evaluation methods. A multi-tier water planning system has been proposed to lessen these barriers through effective division of decision making responsibilities across scales, and setting of consistent frameworks, methods, and objectives at the metro scale. It is considered that this multi-tier planning system may help facilitate the implementation of decentralised IUWM projects.

scholarly journals Urban water management challenges and achievements in Windhoek, Namibia

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 703-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl W. Lewis ◽  
Chad Staddon ◽  
Johannes Sirunda
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Water Demand Management

Abstract This paper gives an overview of the main challenges and achievements faced by Windhoek's water management sector. The paper highlights pertinent issues arising from increased water demand, and also explores current and future water supply augmentation options. Water planners experience management challenges as a result of a combination of factors, mainly, lack of funds and staff, limited expertise, poor communication between stakeholders, and weak regulation and enforcement. In order to meet these challenges water managers need to develop more robust and resilient strategies, including greater focus on water demand management.

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