The Role of Research in Developing and Implementing Transformational Solutions for Water Sustainability

Arnim Wiek, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Dave WhiteDecision Center for a Desert City

Arizona State University

Workshop on “Transformational Solutions for Water in the West”

Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

September 5, 2013

Failing Solutions

“A current policy subsidizes farmers to invest in improved

on-farm irrigation efficiency, expecting water to be

conserved off farm. Contrary to expectation, water has

been increasingly depleted in some regions after such

improvements.”

Huffaker, R. (2008). Conservation potential of agricultural water conservation

subsidies, Water Resources Research, 44, W00E01.

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Why solution-oriented research?

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Water systems are complex

Designing solutions for complex systems requires enhanced capacities

Professional experience is not always sufficient

Solutions can fail

Solutions can create unintended consequences

Solutions can be less efficient than possible

What is solution-oriented research?

Produces evidence on

“Good / best management practices”

“Sustainable water supply”

“Effective conservation measures”

“Fair water distribution”

“Public support”

Etc.

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GoalVisioning

ProblemAnalysis

What are we talking about

StrategyDesign & Testing

Monitoring & Evaluation

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I IIIII

What is the problem?

What is the goal?

How do we getfrom here to there?

How to design solutions

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DPR Project, Texas

Cloudcroft, New Mexico

How to test solutions?

What problem does the solution address?

What is the goal?

1. What is the intervention point?

2. What are the actions and actors?

3. What is the evidence that the solution works?

4. What are barriers and coping strategies?

5. What are unintended consequences?

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How to test solutions?

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How to test solutions?

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How to select or coordinate solutions?

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How to reach agreement on solutions

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How to reach agreement on solutions

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How to evaluate solutions?

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How to teach solutions?

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Customized Databases

Problem – Water scarcity

Goal – Satisfying all water needs/wants

Alternative sourcing

Participatory water budgeting (distribution)

Demand side management

Direct potable reuse

…

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Outlook for DCDC

DCDC’s past work: advanced knowledge on

water challenges under climate change

uncertainties in collaboration between

researchers and policy makers

DCDC’s future agenda includes: solution-

oriented research on water supply and demand

management strategies as well as integrated

planning processes

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Contact

Dr. Arnim Wiek

Decision Center for a Desert City &

School of Sustainability

Arizona State University

E-mail: arnim.wiek@asu.edu

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