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Beutler P, Larsen TA, Maurer M, Staufer P, Lienert J. A participatory multi-criteria decision analysis framework reveals transition potential towards non-grid wastewater management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 367:121962. [PMID: 39094412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Many public environmental decisions are wicked problems due to high complexity and uncertainty. We test a participatory value-based framework based on multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to tackle such problems. Our framework addresses two important gaps identified in reviews of MCDA applications to environmental problems: including stakeholders and treating uncertainty. We applied our framework in two complex real-world cases concerning a paradigm shift in the wastewater sector; the transition from centralized wastewater systems to decentralized non-grid systems. Non-grid systems may solve some problems of centralized systems by reducing costs, increasing flexibility, and addressing growing demands on environmental issues, especially in rural areas. But non-grid systems have rarely been implemented in OECD countries, because it is unclear whether a transition is recommendable, and whether stakeholders would accept this shift. This problem allows addressing several fundamental research questions. As theoretical contribution, we found that stakeholder participation in MCDA is necessary, because different preferences of stakeholders can lead to different best-performing options in the assessments. Compared to the typical integrated assessment (IA) approach that excludes stakeholders' preferences, the MCDA process led to clearer outcomes. Results indicate that including the uncertainty of predicted consequences of options with Monte Carlo simulation helped discriminate between options and identify best-performing options. Challenging the uncertainty of elicited stakeholder preferences with sensitivity analyses, we found that best-performing options were especially sensitive to the MCDA aggregation model. Despite the high uncertainty, it was possible to suggest robust consensus options that would perform reasonably well for all stakeholders. As practical contribution, results indicated that a transition from the centralized to decentralized non-grid systems seems feasible. Most stakeholders assigned highest weights to environmental protection objectives in decision-making workshops. These stakeholder preferences implemented in MCDA led to a generally better assessment of innovative non-grid systems, especially when including urine source separation. Stakeholders perceived the MCDA process as beneficial and found results plausible. We conclude that the proposed participatory value-based framework is rigorous, but still feasible in practice. The framework is certainly transferable to any context and is open to testing and refinement in various applications to wicked decision problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Beutler
- Hunziker Betatech AG, Pflanzschulstrasse 17, CH-8400, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Tove A Larsen
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Max Maurer
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Staufer
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland; City of Zürich, Disposal + Recycling, CH-8010, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Judit Lienert
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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2
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Nazeryzadeh N, Nikoo MR, Afzali SH. Long-term resilience in wastewater management: Optimizing treated wastewater allocation with a dynamic multi-agent approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121527. [PMID: 38909581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Water scarcity poses a significant challenge to sustainable development, necessitating innovative approaches to manage limited resources efficiently. Effective water resource management involves not just the conservation and distribution of freshwater supplies but also the strategic reuse of treated wastewater (TWW). This study proposes a novel approach for the optimal allocation of treated wastewater among three key sectors (user agents): agriculture, industry, and urban green space. Recognizing the intricate interplays among these sectors, System Dynamics (SD) and Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) were integrated in a Complex Adaptive System (CAS) to capture the interactions and feedback mechanisms inherent within treated wastewater allocation systems. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) serves as the optimization tool, enabling the identification of optimal allocation strategies across various management scenarios over a 25-year simulation period. Our research navigates the complexities of long-term resource management, accounting for each sector's evolving its objectives and guidelines along the whole system objectives and strategies. The outcomes demonstrate how treated wastewater can be effectively distributed to support economic and social equity -as the system objectives-while supporting agricultural and industrial growth and enhancing efficiency and social well-being -reflecting individual agent objectives-within the CAS framework. The research explores four distinct management scenarios, each prioritizing different sectors to address water resource management challenges. Notably, all four scenarios align with the strategies required by the ruler (government), providing strategic guidance to water resource managers for decision-making. The simulation results reveal a scenario where all sectors' demands are met, with Scenario 4 emerging as the most effective. Scenario 4 aligned with the objectives and guidelines of each sector, demonstrating significant improvements in the CY (Agriculture agent index; increased from 0.2 to 0.68), IGI (Industry agent index; increased from 1 to 1.63), and GAI (Urban Green Space agent index; increased from 1 to 1.23) indices over the 25-year simulation period. By providing a strategic blueprint for policymakers and stakeholders, this study contributes significantly to the discourse on sustainable water resource management, presenting a replicable model for similar contexts globally, where judicious allocation of treated wastewater is paramount for achieving harmony between human activity and ecological preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Nazeryzadeh
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Nikoo
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Seied Hosein Afzali
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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3
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Wagner TR, Nelson KL, Binz C, Hacker ME. Actor Roles and Networks in Implementing Urban Water Innovation: A Study of Onsite Water Reuse in the San Francisco Bay Area. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6205-6215. [PMID: 37011143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
As climate change and rapid urbanization stress our aging water infrastructure, cities are under increasing pressure to develop more flexible, resilient, and modular water management systems. In response, onsite water reuse practices have been adopted by several cities globally. In addition to technological innovation, these novel water treatment systems also require new stakeholder collaborations, relationships, and processes to support them. There are, however, few models for stakeholder arrangements that support and encourage the adoption and success of such infrastructure. In this paper, we use interviews with stakeholders involved in onsite water reuse projects in the San Francisco Bay Area to create a social network map that describes the interactions between stakeholders at large and during specific phases of project implementation. Using qualitative content analysis of expert interviews and social network analysis, we identify four actor roles that are key to the functioning of this novel water infrastructure paradigm─specialists, continuity providers, program champions, and conveners─and discuss the importance of each role through the course of project implementation. These findings can be helpful for policy interventions and outreach efforts by other cities and communities looking to implement onsite water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzipora R Wagner
- Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kara L Nelson
- National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christian Binz
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- CIRCLE─Centre for Innovation Research, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Miriam E Hacker
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- The Water Research Foundation, 1199 North Fairfax Street, Suite 900, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, United States
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4
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Hazell P, Novitzky P, van den Oord S. Socio-technical system analysis of responsible data sharing in water systems as critical infrastructure. Front Big Data 2023; 5:1057155. [PMID: 36687772 PMCID: PMC9846639 DOI: 10.3389/fdata.2022.1057155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention is increasingly focused on the protection of water systems as critical infrastructure, including subsystems of supply, sanitation, hygiene, and management. Similarly increasing consideration is paid to the growing role and impact of data on water systems and management. We explore key challenges associated with data-driven water systems as critical infrastructure. First, we describe the status of water infrastructure as a part of national critical infrastructure. Second, as this infrastructure increasingly relies on the constant flow of data from a huge variety, quality, and complexity of sensors, we provide a descriptive framework to map in detail the particular expertise needed across data-driven water management, applied to the UK water infrastructure as our use case. Third, through the framework of Capabilities Approach (CA) we analyze the specific challenges of data-driven water management, and argue that the current predominant narratives in the water infrastructure discourse have difficulties to effectively convey existing and emerging challenges. Fourth, we further demonstrate the widening gap between infrastructure services and consumer goods, arguing for increased convergence of the utilization of consumer data, and developing open data ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hazell
- Yorkshire Water UK, Cyber Physical Security Manager, Bradford, United Kingdom,Department of Computer Science, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Novitzky
- Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London, London, United Kingdom,Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Peter Novitzky ✉
| | - Steven van den Oord
- Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, Netherlands,University of Antwerp & Antwerp Management School, Antwerp, Belgium
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5
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Manny L, Angst M, Rieckermann J, Fischer M. Socio-technical networks of infrastructure management: Network concepts and motifs for studying digitalization, decentralization, and integrated management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 318:115596. [PMID: 35949081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Networked infrastructure systems - including energy, transportation, water, and wastewater systems - provide essential services to society. Globally, these services are undergoing major transformative processes such as digitalization, decentralization, or integrated management. Such processes not only depend on technical changes in infrastructure systems but also include important social and socio-technical dimensions. In this article, we propose a socio-technical network perspective to study the ensemble of social actors and technical elements involved in an infrastructure system, and their complex relations. We conceptualize structurally explicit socio-technical networks of networked infrastructure systems based on methodological considerations from network analysis and draw on concepts from socio-technical system theories and social-ecological network studies. Based on these considerations, we suggest analytical methods to study basic network concepts such as density, reciprocity, and centrality in a socio-technical network. We illustrate socio-technical motifs, i.e., meaningful sub-structures in socio-technical networks of infrastructure management. Drawing on these, we describe how infrastructure systems can be analyzed in terms of digitalization, decentralization, and integrated management from a socio-technical network perspective. Using the example of urban wastewater systems, we illustrate an empirical application of our approach. The results of an empirical case study in Switzerland demonstrate the potential of socio-technical networks to promote a deeper understanding of complex socio-technical relations in networked infrastructure systems. We contend that such a deeper understanding could improve management practices of infrastructure systems and is becoming even more important for enabling future data-driven, decentralized, and more integrated infrastructure management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Manny
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland; Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Mario Angst
- Digital Society Initiative, Universität Zürich, Rämistrasse 69, 8001, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Rieckermann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Fischer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Mittal A, Scholten L, Kapelan Z. A review of serious games for urban water management decisions: current gaps and future research directions. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 215:118217. [PMID: 35320773 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Urban water management (UWM) is a complex problem characterized by multiple alternatives, conflicting objectives, and multiple uncertainties about key drivers like climate change, population growth, and increasing urbanization. Serious games are becoming a popular means to support decision-makers who are responsible for the planning and management of urban water systems. This is evident in the increasing number of articles about serious games in recent years. However, the effectiveness of these games in improving decision-making and the quality of their design and evaluation approaches remains unclear. To understand this better, in this paper, we identified 41 serious games covering the urban water cycle. Of these games, 15 were shortlisted for a detailed review. By using common rational decision-making and game design phases from literature, we evaluated and mapped how the shortlisted games contribute to these phases. Our research shows that current serious game applications have multiple limitations: lack of focus on executing the initial phases of decision-making, limited use of storytelling and adaptive game elements, use of low-quality evaluation design and explicit indicators to measure game outcomes, and lastly, lack of attention to cognitive processes of players playing the game. Addressing these limitations is critical for advancing purposeful game design supporting UWM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashna Mittal
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, Delft 2628 CN, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Scholten
- Faculty of Technology, Policy, and Management, Delft University of Technology, Building 31, Jaffalaan 5, Delft 2628 BX, The Netherlands
| | - Zoran Kapelan
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, Delft 2628 CN, The Netherlands
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7
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Toxopeus H, Polzin F. Reviewing financing barriers and strategies for urban nature-based solutions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112371. [PMID: 33845267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Obtaining public and/or private finance for upscaling urban nature-based solutions (NBS) is a key barrier for reaching urban sustainability goals, including climate mitigation and adaptation. We carry out a systematic review of the academic literature to understand the key barriers and corresponding strategies for financing urban NBS. First, we report on specific financing challenges and strategies found for NBS uptake in four urban ecological domains: buildings, facades and roofs; urban green space (parks, trees); allotment gardens (including urban agriculture); and green-blue infrastructure. Across domains, we identify two overarching barriers of NBS finance: (1) coordination between private and public financiers and (2) integration of NBS benefits into valuation and accounting methods. We discuss strategies found in the literature that address these barriers; here, two things stand out. One, there is a large variety of valuation strategies that does not yet allow for an integrated accounting and valuation framework for NBS. Two, strategies aimed at coordinating public/private finance generally look for ways to encourage specific actors (real estate developers, residents) that benefit privately from an NBS to provide co-financing. We visualize our findings into a framework for enabling (public and/or private) finance for upscaling urban NBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Toxopeus
- Sustainable Finance Lab, Utrecht University School of Economics, Kriekenpitplein 21-22, 3584, EC, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Friedemann Polzin
- Sustainable Finance Lab, Utrecht University School of Economics, Kriekenpitplein 21-22, 3584, EC, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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8
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Hacker ME, Binz C. Institutional Barriers to On-Site Alternative Water Systems: A Conceptual Framework and Systematic Analysis of the Literature. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:8267-8277. [PMID: 34043333 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Scientists are increasingly exploring on-site water systems to supplement conventional centralized water and wastewater infrastructure. While major technological advancements have been achieved, we still lack a systematic view on the non-technical, or institutional, elements that constitute important barriers to the uptake of on-site urban water management systems. This paper presents a conceptual framework distinguishing between institutional barriers in six key dimensions: Equity, Knowledge and Capabilities, Financial Investment, Legal and Regulatory Frameworks, Legitimacy, and Market Structures. The analysis of the existing literature covering these barriers is translated into a typology of the socio-technical complexity of different types of alternative water systems (e.g., non-potable reuse, rainwater systems, and nutrient recovery). Findings show that socio-technical complexity increases with the pollution load in the source water, correlating to potential health risk, and the number of sectors involved in the value chain of an alternative water system. For example, greywater reuse for toilet flushing might have systematically less complex institutional barriers than source separation for agricultural reuse. This study provides practitioners with easily accessible means of understanding non-technical barriers for various types of on-site reuse systems and provides researchers with a conceptual framework for capturing socio-technical complexity in the adoption of alternative water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam E Hacker
- Environmental Social Sciences Department, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600Dübendorf, Switzerland
- The Water Center at University of Pennsylvania, The Water Center at Penn, McNeil Building Rm 412, 3718 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, United States
| | - Christian Binz
- Environmental Social Sciences Department, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600Dübendorf, Switzerland
- CIRCLE, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00Lund, Sweden
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9
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Amini MH, Arab M, Faramarz MG, Ghazikhani A, Gheibi M. Presenting a soft sensor for monitoring and controlling well health and pump performance using machine learning, statistical analysis, and Petri net modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021:10.1007/s11356-021-12643-0. [PMID: 33569684 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12643-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater resources play a key role in supplying urban water demands in numerous societies. In many parts of the world, wells provide a reliable and sufficient source of water for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes. In recent decades, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods have attracted a considerable attention to develop Smart Control Systems for water management facilities. In this study, an attempt has been made to create a smart framework to monitor, control, and manage groundwater wells and pumps using a combination of ML algorithms and statistical analysis. In this research, 8 different learning methods and regressions namely support vector regression (SVR), extreme learning machine (ELM), classification and regression tree (CART), random forest (RF), artificial neural networks (ANNs), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), linear regression (LR), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN) regression algorithms have been applied to create a forecast model to predict water flow rate in Mashhad City wells. Moreover, several descriptive statistical metrics including mean squared error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and cross predicted accuracy (CPA) are calculated for these models to evaluate their performance. According to the results of this investigation, CART, RF, and LR algorithms have indicated the highest levels of precision with the lowest error values while SVM and MLP are the worst algorithms. In addition, sensitivity analysis has demonstrated that the LR and RF algorithms have produced the most accurate models for deep and shallow wells respectively. Finally, a Petri net model has been presented to illustrate the conceptual model of the smart framework and alarm management system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Amini
- Big Data Lab, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maliheh Arab
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Adel Ghazikhani
- Big Data Lab, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Gheibi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Zistpardazesharia Knowledge based company , Mashhad, Iran
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10
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Rabaey K, Vandekerckhove T, de Walle AV, Sedlak DL. The third route: Using extreme decentralization to create resilient urban water systems. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116276. [PMID: 32798895 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
For much of the world's urban population, centralized treatment plants and pipe networks built in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provide homes with water and a means of disposing of the resulting wastewater. Due to the real or perceived inability of existing systems to deliver safe and palatable water, many users apply additional treatment prior to consumption. Where piped water supply is lacking, drinking water is obtained through water vendors at considerable cost. Despite economic inefficiencies and public health risks inherent in these two water supply systems, the high sunk costs of existing water infrastructure along with low returns on investment and the inflexible nature of the institutions involved in water provision have slowed down the diffusion of alternative approaches that may prove to be less expensive, more adaptable and safer than the current system. We advocate a third, complementary route: household-based personalized water systems. Initially, relatively affluent people expecting more functionality and sustainability from water systems will invest in personalized water systems that allow them to tailor their water to their personal preferences. This approach will tap into the tremendous creativity-base of individual users and entrepreneurs, facilitating the type of co-creation that accelerated the rapid development of consumer electronics. Competition among manufacturers and economies of scale that accrue as these systems become more popular will lead to rapid innovation that drives down costs, improves performance and expands access. These solutions complement emerging approaches for sanitation and resource recovery that do not rely upon sewers for the management of human waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korneel Rabaey
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Tom Vandekerckhove
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; BOSAQ, Technologiepark 82 bus 7, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arjen Van de Walle
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David L Sedlak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 657 Davis Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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11
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Hoffmann S, Feldmann U, Bach PM, Binz C, Farrelly M, Frantzeskaki N, Hiessl H, Inauen J, Larsen TA, Lienert J, Londong J, Lüthi C, Maurer M, Mitchell C, Morgenroth E, Nelson KL, Scholten L, Truffer B, Udert KM. A Research Agenda for the Future of Urban Water Management: Exploring the Potential of Nongrid, Small-Grid, and Hybrid Solutions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:5312-5322. [PMID: 32233462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in high- and middle-income countries have exhibited a shift from conventional urban water systems to alternative solutions that are more diverse in source separation, decentralization, and modularization. These solutions include nongrid, small-grid, and hybrid systems to address such pressing global challenges as climate change, eutrophication, and rapid urbanization. They close loops, recover valuable resources, and adapt quickly to changing boundary conditions such as population size. Moving to such alternative solutions requires both technical and social innovations to coevolve over time into integrated socio-technical urban water systems. Current implementations of alternative systems in high- and middle-income countries are promising, but they also underline the need for research questions to be addressed from technical, social, and transformative perspectives. Future research should pursue a transdisciplinary research approach to generating evidence through socio-technical "lighthouse" projects that apply alternative urban water systems at scale. Such research should leverage experiences from these projects in diverse socio-economic contexts, identify their potentials and limitations from an integrated perspective, and share their successes and failures across the urban water sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Hoffmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Feldmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Peter M Bach
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Monash Water for Liveability, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Christian Binz
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Circle, Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Megan Farrelly
- School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Frantzeskaki
- Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Drift, Dutch Research Institute For Transitions, Erasmus University PA Rotterdam, 3062, The Netherlands
| | - Harald Hiessl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jennifer Inauen
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute for Psychology, University of Berne, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Tove A Larsen
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Judit Lienert
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Londong
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bauhaus University, 99421 Weimar, Germany
| | - Christoph Lüthi
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Max Maurer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cynthia Mitchell
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Eberhard Morgenroth
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kara L Nelson
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Lisa Scholten
- Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Bernhard Truffer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kai M Udert
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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12
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Sherman L, Cantor A, Milman A, Kiparsky M. Examining the complex relationship between innovation and regulation through a survey of wastewater utility managers. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 260:110025. [PMID: 32090799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite pressures to increase performance and decrease costs, innovation has been slow to emerge in the municipal wastewater sector. The relationship between regulation and innovation in this sector is a particularly interesting aspect of this conundrum, given the degree to which public utility decision-making is influenced by regulation. Using a national survey, this paper examines US wastewater utility managers' perceptions of how regulation influences the adoption of new technologies. Recognizing that the relationship between innovation and regulation is complex, we develop the concept of regulation as multifaceted and examine three interrelated aspects of regulation: (1) regulatory requirements, (2) regulators and relationships, and (3) the broader regulatory environment. Specifically, we seek to understand whether and in what ways wastewater utility managers perceive these aspects of regulation as hindering or encouraging the adoption of new technologies. We find that, although stringent effluent limitations are perceived to be a moderate barrier to innovation, most survey respondents did not identify weakening them as a way to encourage innovation. Instead, respondents generally identified factors related to regulatory relationships and factors related to the broader regulatory environment as barriers to innovation, and indicated that addressing these aspects of regulation would encourage innovation. We conclude that loosening or tightening regulatory requirements is not the most effective way to promote innovation in the municipal wastewater sector. Rather, those parties with an interest in innovation can focus on helping utilities and regulators build relationships and better navigate the processes that influence decisions about new technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Sherman
- Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law, United States; NSF Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), United States
| | - Alida Cantor
- Department of Geography, Portland State University, United States; Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law, United States; NSF Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), United States
| | - Anita Milman
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Michael Kiparsky
- Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law, United States; NSF Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), United States.
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13
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Co-Design of Engineered Hyporheic Zones to Improve In-Stream Stormwater Treatment and Facilitate Regulatory Approval. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11122543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Green infrastructure is an increasingly popular approach to mitigate widespread degradation of urban waters from stormwater pollution. However, many stormwater best management practices (BMPs) have inconsistent water quality performance and are limited to on-site, land-based deployments. To address basin-wide pollutant loads still reaching urban streams, hyporheic zone engineering has been proposed as an in-stream treatment strategy. Recognizing that regulator and practitioner perspectives are essential for innovation in the water sector, we interviewed U.S. water management professionals about the perceived risks, opportunities, and knowledge gaps related to in-stream stormwater treatment. We used engineered hyporheic zones as a case study to understand interviewee perspectives on an emerging class of in-stream treatment technologies. Interviews revealed that many considerations for in-stream stormwater treatment are common to land-based BMPs, but in-stream BMPs have additional unique design and siting requirements. Here, we synthesize practitioner goals, their recommendations on in-stream BMP design, and open research questions related to in-stream BMPs. Many interviewees suggested pairing engineered hyporheic zones with other BMPs in a treatment train to improve in-stream treatment, while simultaneously reducing risk and cost. We discuss how treatment trains and other strategies might also help overcome regulatory hurdles for innovative stormwater treatment.
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14
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Jamshidi S. Value-added innovation in infrastructure systems, lessons learned from wastewater treatment plants. TQM JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1108/tqm-11-2018-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are evolving toward sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how innovation can develop these mission-based service industries to value-added manufacturing enterprises. Here, innovation is embedded in altering the understanding of stakeholders toward the objectives and managerial systems of these infrastructures.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses multidisciplinary principles in management, economics and engineering to assess the integration of innovation and quality management with different perspectives. It initially compares the conventional and innovative approach for operating WWTPs. Subsequently, it emphasizes the contribution of the tailor-made managerial system of wastewater treatment enterprises through prospective markets, customers’ preferences, probable competitions and shared values.FindingsThe tailor-made managerial system for wastewater treatment can add economic values by manufacturing multiple demand products for local markets. Water, green energy, organic fertilizers and raw materials are the main products that can be simultaneously recovered according to the customers’ demand. The Kano model also verifies that the new managerial system has this potential to turn the conventional must-be treatment systems into delightful enterprises. It can provide different stakeholders with shared social and environmental values. Accordingly, locals and customers can be engaged in monitoring the quality of products to consider their feedback for decision making and upgrading. This indirectly defines shared values among operators and society to reinforce localization and ecosystem protection. Additionally, this research reveals that the market of the aforementioned strategic products is promising as a blue ocean for set sail due to the lack of competitors.Originality/valueThis study introduces wastewater treatment as a promising enterprise for integrating innovation and quality management.
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15
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Erban LE, Walker HA. Beyond Old Pipes and Ailing Budgets: Systems Thinking on Twenty-First Century Water Infrastructure in Chicago. FRONTIERS IN BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2019; 5:1-124. [PMID: 33748225 PMCID: PMC7970536 DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2019.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cities are increasingly burdened by aging water infrastructure. Deferred maintenance and upgrades are compounded by emerging concerns over contaminants, extreme weather events, demographic shifts, equity, and affordability of water services. These and other evolving twenty-first century conditions prompt changes to urban water infrastructure and related systems that have wide ranging outcomes. This work demonstrates two complementary techniques for analyzing these complex systems, through the example case of Chicago. Chicago has some of the oldest urban water infrastructure in the US and supplies drinking water to more than 5 million people. Recent efforts to improve the physical and financial components of Chicago's water system have run into a gamut of social and environmental issues. Here, a socio-environmental systems (SES) context for Chicago's water infrastructure is structured using a rigorous systems thinking method and visual grammar to map the SES in terms of distinctions, systems, relationships and perspectives (DSRP). DSRP maps structure information about how water flows through city and how money flows through the public utilities responsible for drinking water delivery, wastewater treatment and stormwater management. Flows are evaluated, using open data and methods, over a 23-year period (1995-2017). Overall declines in water use and wastewater production are accompanied by an increase in the costs of water services, costs that support not only water infrastructure operations, maintenance and capital improvements, but also other municipal functions. Trends in the integrated data are interpreted through iterative refinement of DSRP maps to include additional components and to consider the SES from different points of view. Findings suggest that systems thinking is important for designing urban water system upgrades that are responsive to diverse socio-environmental concerns. As changes are made, transparent, reproducible methods for tracking outcomes can support analysis of differential impacts on users. The methods applied here at the city scale may be used to better understand localized, complex issues surrounding water infrastructure upgrades in Chicago and other cities.
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16
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Dow C, Ahmad S, Stave K, Gerrity D. Evaluating the sustainability of indirect potable reuse and direct potable reuse: a southern Nevada case study. AWWA WATER SCIENCE 2019; 1:e1153. [PMID: 31750422 PMCID: PMC6851734 DOI: 10.1002/aws2.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This case study presents a framework for evaluating the sustainability of indirect potable reuse (IPR) and direct potable reuse (DPR) in Las Vegas, Nevada. A system dynamics model was developed to simulate population growth, water supply, water quality, energy costs, net present worth (NPW), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The model confirmed that DPR could achieve a net reduction in energy costs of up to US$250 million while still ensuring an adequate water supply. However, the high NPW of DPR ($1.0-$4.0 billion) relative to the status quo IPR approach ($0.6 billion) represents a significant economic hurdle, although future monetization of salt loadings and GHGs could reduce that disparity. DPR with ozone-biofiltration would also be hindered by an estimated concentration of total dissolved solids of up to 1,300 mg/L. Despite these barriers to implementation in Las Vegas, certain site-specific conditions may make DPR more attractive in other locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory Dow
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and ConstructionUniversity of NevadaLas VegasNevada
- Carollo EngineersLas VegasNevada
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and ConstructionUniversity of NevadaLas VegasNevada
| | - Krystyna Stave
- School of Public Policy and LeadershipUniversity of NevadaLas VegasNevada
| | - Daniel Gerrity
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and ConstructionUniversity of NevadaLas VegasNevada
- Applied Research and Development CenterSouthern Nevada Water AuthorityLas VegasNevada
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17
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Loeb SK, Alvarez PJJ, Brame JA, Cates EL, Choi W, Crittenden J, Dionysiou DD, Li Q, Li-Puma G, Quan X, Sedlak DL, David Waite T, Westerhoff P, Kim JH. The Technology Horizon for Photocatalytic Water Treatment: Sunrise or Sunset? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:2937-2947. [PMID: 30576114 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Advanced oxidation processes via semiconductor photocatalysis for water treatment have been the subject of extensive research over the past three decades, producing many scientific reports focused on elucidating mechanisms and enhancing kinetics for the treatment of contaminants in water. Many of these reports imply that the ultimate goal of the research is to apply photocatalysis in municipal water treatment operations. However, this ignores immense technology transfer problems, perpetuating a widening gap between academic advocation and industrial application. In this Feature, we undertake a critical examination of the trajectory of photocatalytic water treatment research, assessing the viability of proposed applications and identifying those with the most promising future. Several strategies are proposed for scientists and engineers who aim to support research efforts to bring industrially relevant photocatalytic water treatment processes to fruition. Although the reassessed potential may not live up to initial academic hype, an unfavorable assessment in some areas does not preclude the transfer of photocatalysis for water treatment to other niche applications as the technology retains substantive and unique benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Loeb
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) 6100 Main Street, MS 6398 , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and , Yale University , 17 Hillhouse Avenue , New Haven , Connecticut 06511 , United States
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) 6100 Main Street, MS 6398 , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Rice University , 6100 Main Street , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
| | - Jonathon A Brame
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) , 3909 Halls Ferry Road , Vicksburg , Mississippi 39180 , United States
| | - Ezra L Cates
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences , Clemson University , 342 Computer Court , Anderson , South Carolina 29625 , United States
| | - Wonyong Choi
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering , Pohang University of Science and Technology , Pohang 37673 , Korea
| | - John Crittenden
- Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Dionysios D Dionysiou
- Environmental Engineering and Science Program, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 705 Engineering Research Center , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio 45221-0012 , United States
| | - Qilin Li
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) 6100 Main Street, MS 6398 , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Rice University , 6100 Main Street , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
| | - Gianluca Li-Puma
- Environmental Nanocatalysis & Photoreaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering , Loughborough University , Loughborough , LE11 3TU , United Kingdom
| | - Xie Quan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology , Dalian University of Technology , Dalian 116024 , China
| | - David L Sedlak
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Reinventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt) , University of California , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - T David Waite
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of New South Wales , Sydney New South Wales 2052 , Australia
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) 6100 Main Street, MS 6398 , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment , Arizona State University , Box 3005, Tempe , Arizona 85287 , United States
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) 6100 Main Street, MS 6398 , Houston , Texas 77005 , United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and , Yale University , 17 Hillhouse Avenue , New Haven , Connecticut 06511 , United States
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18
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Pincetl S, Porse E, Mika KB, Litvak E, Manago KF, Hogue TS, Gillespie T, Pataki DE, Gold M. Adapting Urban Water Systems to Manage Scarcity in the 21st Century: The Case of Los Angeles. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 63:293-308. [PMID: 30413871 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-1118-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Acute water shortages for large metropolitan regions are likely to become more frequent as climate changes impact historic precipitation levels and urban population grows. California and Los Angeles County have just experienced a severe four year drought followed by a year of high precipitation, and likely drought conditions again in Southern California. We show how the embedded preferences for distant sources, and their local manifestations, have created and/or exacerbated fluctuations in local water availability and suboptimal management. As a socio technical system, water management in the Los Angeles metropolitan region has created a kind of scarcity lock-in in years of low rainfall. We come to this through a decade of coupled research examining landscapes and water use, the development of the complex institutional water management infrastructure, hydrology and a systems network model. Such integrated research is a model for other regions to unpack and understand the actual water resources of a metropolitan region, how it is managed and potential ability to become more water self reliant if the institutions collaborate and manage the resource both parsimoniously, but also in an integrated and conjunctive manner. The Los Angeles County metropolitan region, we find, could transition to a nearly water self sufficient system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Pincetl
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, La Kretz Hall, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA.
| | - Erik Porse
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, La Kretz Hall, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA.
- Office of Water Programs, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819-6025, USA.
| | - Kathryn B Mika
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, La Kretz Hall, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA
| | - Elizaveta Litvak
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Kimberly F Manago
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Terri S Hogue
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Thomas Gillespie
- Geography Department, University of California, Los Angeles, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA
| | - Diane E Pataki
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Mark Gold
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Sustainable LA Grand Challenge, University of California, Los Angeles, 619 Charles E. Young Dr. East, La Kretz Hall, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496, USA
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19
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Pakizer K, Lieberherr E. Alternative governance arrangements for modular water infrastructure: An exploratory review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1783591718814426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article presents an exploratory review of alternative governance arrangements for modular systems in the urban water sector in terms of policy instruments, organizational structure, and underlying mechanisms. We develop an analytical framework to review the literature on alternative arrangements for innovative technologies. The preliminary results highlight the importance of governmental involvement and formal policy instruments to ensure public and environmental health in the context of modular water infrastructures. This is in line with the status quo of conventional water governance arrangements. However, the findings also suggest that informal instruments supplement the formal ones and that instead of political-administrative accountability more horizontal mechanisms, such as answerability toward citizens and consumers, play an important role in the context of new water technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Pakizer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Switzerland
| | - Eva Lieberherr
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Switzerland
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20
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van Leeuwen K, de Vries E, Koop S, Roest K. The Energy & Raw Materials Factory: Role and Potential Contribution to the Circular Economy of the Netherlands. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 61:786-795. [PMID: 29383420 PMCID: PMC5880869 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-0995-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Water is an abundant resource worldwide, but fresh and clean water is scarce in many areas of the world. Increases in water consumption and climate change will affect global water security even further in the near future. With increasing numbers of people living in metropolitan areas, water, energy, and materials need to be used carefully, reused and renewed. Resource scarcity is the driver behind the circular economy. The recovery of materials and energy can add significant new value streams and improve cost recovery and water quality. In this paper, we present the creation of the Energy & Raw Materials Factory (ERMF) of the Dutch Water Authorities, also known as the Resource Factory, as one of the solutions to this global challenge of water in the circular economy. Resources like cellulose, bioplastics, phosphate, alginate-like exopolymers from aerobic granular sludge (bio-ALE), and biomass can be recovered. Bio-ALE is an alginate-like polymer of sugars and proteins and can be used in agriculture and horticulture, the paper industry, medical, and construction industries. The ERMF demands significant investments but the return on investment is high both from a financial and environmental perspective, provided that markets can be realized. Experiences in the Netherlands show that the concept of the ERMF is viable and adds to the creation of a circular economy. Achieving climate neutrality and production of new and promising resources like bio-ALE are possible. The ERMF can contribute to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations on water and sanitation, once fully operational.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kees van Leeuwen
- Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands.
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, Nieuwegein, 3433 PE, The Netherlands.
| | - Eli de Vries
- Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijnstraat 8, The Hague, 2515 XP, The Netherlands
| | - Stef Koop
- Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, Nieuwegein, 3433 PE, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Roest
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, Nieuwegein, 3433 PE, The Netherlands
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21
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A New Framework for Assessing the Sustainability Reporting Disclosure of Water Utilities. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10020433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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22
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Quesnel KJ, Ajami NK, Wyss N. Accelerating the Integration of Distributed Water Solutions: A Conceptual Financing Model from the Electricity Sector. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 60:867-881. [PMID: 28823071 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-017-0914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Modern challenges require new approaches to urban water management. One solution in the portfolio of potential strategies is the integration of distributed water infrastructure, practices, and technologies into existing systems. However, many practical barriers have prevented the widespread adoption of these systems in the US. The objective of this paper is to address these challenges by developing a conceptual model encompassing regulatory, financial, and governance components that can be used to incorporate new distributed water solutions into our current network. To construct the model, case studies of successfully implemented distributed electricity systems, specifically energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, were examined to determine how these solutions have become prominent in recent years and what lessons can be applied to the water sector in a similar pursuit. The proposed model includes four action-oriented elements: catalyzing change, establishing funding sources, using resource pathways, and creating innovative governance structures. As illustrated in the model, the water sector should use suite of coordinated policies to promote change, engage end users through fiscal incentives, and encourage research, development and dissemination of new technologies over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Quesnel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Room 314, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Room 117, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Newsha K Ajami
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Room 117, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Room 218B, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Noemi Wyss
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Room 117, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Planning, Policy, and Design, 300 Social Ecology I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-7075, USA
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23
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Zodrow KR, Li Q, Buono RM, Chen W, Daigger G, Dueñas-Osorio L, Elimelech M, Huang X, Jiang G, Kim JH, Logan BE, Sedlak DL, Westerhoff P, Alvarez PJJ. Advanced Materials, Technologies, and Complex Systems Analyses: Emerging Opportunities to Enhance Urban Water Security. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:10274-10281. [PMID: 28742338 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Innovation in urban water systems is required to address the increasing demand for clean water due to population growth and aggravated water stress caused by water pollution, aging infrastructure, and climate change. Advances in materials science, modular water treatment technologies, and complex systems analyses, coupled with the drive to minimize the energy and environmental footprints of cities, provide new opportunities to ensure a resilient and safe water supply. We present a vision for enhancing efficiency and resiliency of urban water systems and discuss approaches and research needs for overcoming associated implementation challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Zodrow
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Baker Institute for Public Policy, Center for Energy Studies, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Regina M Buono
- Baker Institute for Public Policy, Center for Energy Studies, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University , Tianjin, China 300071
| | - Glen Daigger
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Leonardo Dueñas-Osorio
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Xia Huang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China 100084
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, China 100085
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Penn State University , State College, Pennsylvania 16801, United States
| | - David L Sedlak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley , Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment, Arizona State University , Box 3005, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3005, United States
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Baker Institute for Public Policy, Center for Energy Studies, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University , Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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24
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Scholten L, Maurer M, Lienert J. Comparing multi-criteria decision analysis and integrated assessment to support long-term water supply planning. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176663. [PMID: 28481881 PMCID: PMC5421771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We compare the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)–or more precisely, models used in multi-attribute value theory (MAVT)–to integrated assessment (IA) models for supporting long-term water supply planning in a small town case study in Switzerland. They are used to evaluate thirteen system scale water supply alternatives in four future scenarios regarding forty-four objectives, covering technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects. The alternatives encompass both conventional and unconventional solutions and differ regarding technical, spatial and organizational characteristics. This paper focuses on the impact assessment and final evaluation step of the structured MCDA decision support process. We analyze the performance of the alternatives for ten stakeholders. We demonstrate the implications of model assumptions by comparing two IA and three MAVT evaluation model layouts of different complexity. For this comparison, we focus on the validity (ranking stability), desirability (value), and distinguishability (value range) of the alternatives given the five model layouts. These layouts exclude or include stakeholder preferences and uncertainties. Even though all five led us to identify the same best alternatives, they did not produce identical rankings. We found that the MAVT-type models provide higher distinguishability and a more robust basis for discussion than the IA-type models. The needed complexity of the model, however, should be determined based on the intended use of the model within the decision support process. The best-performing alternatives had consistently strong performance for all stakeholders and future scenarios, whereas the current water supply system was outperformed in all evaluation layouts. The best-performing alternatives comprise proactive pipe rehabilitation, adapted firefighting provisions, and decentralized water storage and/or treatment. We present recommendations for possible ways of improving water supply planning in the case study and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Scholten
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Max Maurer
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,ETH Zurich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Judit Lienert
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Eggimann S, Mutzner L, Wani O, Schneider MY, Spuhler D, Moy de Vitry M, Beutler P, Maurer M. The Potential of Knowing More: A Review of Data-Driven Urban Water Management. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:2538-2553. [PMID: 28125222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The promise of collecting and utilizing large amounts of data has never been greater in the history of urban water management (UWM). This paper reviews several data-driven approaches which play a key role in bringing forward a sea change. It critically investigates whether data-driven UWM offers a promising foundation for addressing current challenges and supporting fundamental changes in UWM. We discuss the examples of better rain-data management, urban pluvial flood-risk management and forecasting, drinking water and sewer network operation and management, integrated design and management, increasing water productivity, wastewater-based epidemiology and on-site water and wastewater treatment. The accumulated evidence from literature points toward a future UWM that offers significant potential benefits thanks to increased collection and utilization of data. The findings show that data-driven UWM allows us to develop and apply novel methods, to optimize the efficiency of the current network-based approach, and to extend functionality of today's systems. However, generic challenges related to data-driven approaches (e.g., data processing, data availability, data quality, data costs) and the specific challenges of data-driven UWM need to be addressed, namely data access and ownership, current engineering practices and the difficulty of assessing the cost benefits of data-driven UWM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Eggimann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Mutzner
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Omar Wani
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariane Yvonne Schneider
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dorothee Spuhler
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew Moy de Vitry
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Beutler
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Max Maurer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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26
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Eggimann S, Truffer B, Maurer M. The cost of hybrid waste water systems: A systematic framework for specifying minimum cost-connection rates. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 103:472-484. [PMID: 27521849 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.07.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
To determine the optimal connection rate (CR) for regional waste water treatment is a challenge that has recently gained the attention of academia and professional circles throughout the world. We contribute to this debate by proposing a framework for a total cost assessment of sanitation infrastructures in a given region for the whole range of possible CRs. The total costs comprise the treatment and transportation costs of centralised and on-site waste water management systems relative to specific CRs. We can then identify optimal CRs that either deliver waste water services at the lowest overall regional cost, or alternatively, CRs that result from households freely choosing whether they want to connect or not. We apply the framework to a Swiss region, derive a typology for regional cost curves and discuss whether and by how much the empirically observed CRs differ from the two optimal ones. Both optimal CRs may be reached by introducing specific regulatory incentive structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Eggimann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Bernhard Truffer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, NL-3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Max Maurer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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27
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Garcia X, Barceló D, Comas J, Corominas L, Hadjimichael A, Page TJ, Acuña V. Placing ecosystem services at the heart of urban water systems management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 563-564:1078-1085. [PMID: 27216967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Current approaches have failed to deliver a truly integrated management of the different elements of the urban water system, such as freshwater ecosystems, drinking water treatment plants, distribution networks, sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Because the different parts of urban water have not been well integrated, poor decisions have been made for society in general, leading to the misuse of water resources, the degradation of freshwater ecosystems and increased overall treatment costs. Some attempts to solve environmental issues have adopted the ecosystem services concept in a more integrated approach, however this has rarely strayed far away from pure policy, and has made little impact in on-the-ground operational matters. Here, we present an improved decision-making framework to integrate the management of urban water systems. This framework uses the ecosystem service concept in a practical way to make a better use of both financial and water resources, while continuing to preserve the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Garcia
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; International University of Catalonia, Carrer Immaculada 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Carrer Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Comas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUIA), Institute of the Environment, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi s/n, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Ll Corominas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - A Hadjimichael
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUIA), Institute of the Environment, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi s/n, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - T J Page
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111 Queensland, Australia; Water Planning Ecology, Queensland Dept. of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Dutton Park, 4102 Queensland, Australia
| | - V Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.
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Kiparsky M, Thompson BH, Binz C, Sedlak DL, Tummers L, Truffer B. Barriers to Innovation in Urban Wastewater Utilities: Attitudes of Managers in California. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 57:1204-16. [PMID: 26993816 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0685-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In many regions of the world, urban water systems will need to transition into fundamentally different forms to address current stressors and meet impending challenges-faster innovation will need to be part of these transitions. To assess the innovation deficit in urban water organizations and to identify means for supporting innovation, we surveyed wastewater utility managers in California. Our results reveal insights about the attitudes towards innovation among decision makers, and how perceptions at the level of individual managers might create disincentives for experimentation. Although managers reported feeling relatively unhindered organizationally, they also spend less time on innovation than they feel they should. The most frequently reported barriers to innovation included cost and financing; risk and risk aversion; and regulatory compliance. Considering these results in the context of prior research on innovation systems, we conclude that collective action may be required to address underinvestment in innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kiparsky
- Wheeler Water Institute, School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), National Science Foundation, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Barton H Thompson
- Stanford Law School and Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), National Science Foundation, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christian Binz
- Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), National Science Foundation, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David L Sedlak
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), National Science Foundation, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lars Tummers
- Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Administration, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernhard Truffer
- Environmental Social Science Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dubendorf, Switzerland
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Engineering Research Center for Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), National Science Foundation, Stanford, CA, USA
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Larsen TA, Hoffmann S, Luthi C, Truffer B, Maurer M. Emerging solutions to the water challenges of an urbanizing world. Science 2016; 352:928-33. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aad8641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 397] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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30
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Comparing the Life Cycle Energy Consumption, Global Warming and Eutrophication Potentials of Several Water and Waste Service Options. WATER 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/w8040154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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31
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Hendrickson TP, Nguyen MT, Sukardi M, Miot A, Horvath A, Nelson KL. Life-Cycle Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of a Building-Scale Wastewater Treatment and Nonpotable Reuse System. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:10303-10311. [PMID: 26230383 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Treatment and water reuse in decentralized systems is envisioned to play a greater role in our future urban water infrastructure due to growing populations and uncertainty in quality and quantity of traditional water resources. In this study, we utilized life-cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of an operating Living Machine (LM) wetland treatment system that recycles wastewater in an office building. The study also assessed the performance of the local utility's centralized wastewater treatment plant, which was found to be significantly more efficient than the LM (79% less energy, 98% less GHG emissions per volume treated). To create a functionally equivalent comparison, the study developed a hypothetical scenario in which the same LM design flow is recycled via centralized infrastructure. This comparison revealed that the current LM has energy consumption advantages (8% less), and a theoretically improved LM design could have GHG advantages (24% less) over the centralized reuse system. The methodology in this study can be applied to other case studies and scenarios to identify conditions under which decentralized water reuse can lower GHG emissions and energy use compared to centralized water reuse when selecting alternative approaches to meet growing water demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Hendrickson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, California 94720-1710, United States
| | - Mi T Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, California 94720-1710, United States
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, University of California , Berkeley 94720, United States
| | - Marsha Sukardi
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, California 94102, United States
| | - Alexandre Miot
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, California 94102, United States
| | - Arpad Horvath
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, California 94720-1710, United States
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, University of California , Berkeley 94720, United States
| | - Kara L Nelson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, California 94720-1710, United States
- ReNUWIt Engineering Research Center, University of California , Berkeley 94720, United States
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32
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Harris-Lovett SR, Binz C, Sedlak DL, Kiparsky M, Truffer B. Beyond User Acceptance: A Legitimacy Framework for Potable Water Reuse in California. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:7552-61. [PMID: 26030335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Water resource managers often tout the potential of potable water reuse to provide a reliable, local source of drinking water in water-scarce regions. Despite data documenting the ability of advanced treatment technologies to treat municipal wastewater effluent to meet existing drinking water quality standards, many utilities face skepticism from the public about potable water reuse. Prior research on this topic has mainly focused on marketing strategies for garnering public acceptance of the process. This study takes a broader perspective on the adoption of potable water reuse based on concepts of societal legitimacy, which is the generalized perception or assumption that a technology is desirable or appropriate within its social context. To assess why some potable reuse projects were successfully implemented while others faced fierce public opposition, we performed a series of 20 expert interviews and reviewed in-depth case studies from potable reuse projects in California. Results show that proponents of a legitimated potable water reuse project in Orange County, California engaged in a portfolio of strategies that addressed three main dimensions of legitimacy. In contrast, other proposed projects that faced extensive public opposition relied on a smaller set of legitimation strategies that focused near-exclusively on the development of robust water treatment technology. Widespread legitimation of potable water reuse projects, including direct potable water reuse, may require the establishment of a portfolio of standards, procedures, and possibly new institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Binz
- §Department of Environmental Social Sciences Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- #Sustainability Science Program, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | | | | | - Bernhard Truffer
- §Department of Environmental Social Sciences Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ∇Chair of Geography of Transitions in Urban Infrastructures, Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 2, NL-3584 CS, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Pruden A. Balancing water sustainability and public health goals in the face of growing concerns about antibiotic resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:5-14. [PMID: 24279909 DOI: 10.1021/es403883p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Global initiatives are underway to advance the sustainability of urban water infrastructure through measures such as water reuse. However, there are growing concerns that wastewater effluents are enriched in antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes, and thus could serve as a contributing factor to growing rates of antibiotic resistance in human infections. Evidence for the role of the water environment as a source and pathway for the spread of antimicrobial resistance is examined and key knowledge gaps are identified with respect to implications for sustainable water systems. Efforts on the part of engineers along with investment in research in epidemiology, risk assessment, water treatment and water delivery could advance current and future sustainable water strategies and help avoid unintended consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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