SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Module 1: Preparing for the Future

SWITCH Training Kit

Module 1: Preparing for the Future

Strategic planning and action for integration in urban water management

An overview

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

The importance of good urban water management

Water and urban quality of life:

• Public health

• Security

• Economy

• Environment

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Urban water management – The issues

Climate change

Population growth and urbanisation

Deterioration of infrastructure systems

Governance and policies

Changes in public priorities

Emerging technologies

Energy use

Increasing complexity and risks of infrastructure systems

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Conventional approaches to urban water management

• Stormwater collection and disposal using concrete channels and pipes

• Centralised wastewater collection and treatment

• Increased water demand is met through new supplies

• Standard engineering solutions are applied• Different sectors of the water cycle are

managed separately

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Drawbacks of the conventional approach to urban water management

• Lack of integration

• Short-term solutions

• Lack of flexibility

• Energy intensive

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Links within the water cycle

Stormwater

WastewaterWater supply

Water quality

Potential resource

Sewer capacities

Water treatment standards

Potential resource

Wastewater volume

The Urban Water Cycle

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Links between water and other sectors of urban planning

Energy

Parks, gardens and recreation

Local economic development

Health

Waste management

Housing

Roads and transport

Land-use management

Farming

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM)

IUWM requires the consideration of:• All parts of the water cycle as an integrated

system• The need to strive for sustainability• All water users and other relevant

stakeholders• All water uses

(Based on Mitchell, 2004)

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Integrated approaches to urban water management

• Stormwater is attenuated and retained using natural systems

• Wastewater is separated at source and reused • Reducing water demand is given priority over

increasing supply• Innovative solutions are encouraged• Physical and institutional integration in the

management of the water cycle

(Based on Mitchell, 2004)

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Benefits of IUWM

• Increased water availability

• Reduced cost of water treatment

• Increased biodiversity

• Identification of more cost effective and viable solutions

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Why IUWM is more sustainable

Meets society’s needs for water in a fair way … and protects it from risks caused by water

Ensures the necessary financing for managing the water resources and for meeting society’s needs

Preserves / restores aquatic ecosystems

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Moving towards integration

• Communication, coordination & collaboration across institutional boundaries

• Cross-disciplinary interaction• Multi-stakeholder involvement• Experimenting – learning – sharing • Regular review and adjustment• Importance of joint vision

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Adopting IUWM through strategic planning

Strategy development &

political commitment

Action planning & implementation

Monitoring & evaluation

Visioning & setting of objectives

Assessment of situation &

scenario building

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future

Acknowledgements

Ralph Philip and Barbara Anton ICLEI – Local Government’s for Sustainability

based on the joint efforts of the following SWITCH partners:

P. van der Steen (UNESCO-IHE), J. Butterworth (IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre), C. Batchelor (IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre), C. Da Silva (IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre), D.M. Guio-Torres (UNESCO-IHE), C. Howe (UNESCO-IHE), Z. Vojinovic (UNESCO-IHE)

The UNESCO-IHE led SWITCH project runs from Feb. 2006 to Jan. 2011 and is part-financed by Directorate General Research of the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme. For more information see www.switchurbanwater.eu

This presentation has been produced as part of the SWITCH Training Kit by: