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Integrating Water Quality into Urban Water Management and Planning While Addressing the Challenge of Water Security

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Understanding and Managing Urban Water in Transition

Part of the book series: Global Issues in Water Policy ((GLOB,volume 15))

Abstract

In the face of growing water demand pressures, urbanisation, and climate change, freshwater resources are becoming scarcer and supply planners are turning to less traditional water sources, such as treated wastewater and urban run-off (stormwater), sources which may pose health risks to consumers. At the same time, traditional surface and groundwater resources are being subject to increased contamination, which contributes to water insecurity. How to address the water quality and public health dimension of urban water quantity challenges is emphasized in this chapter, especially through proper treatment and recycling of polluted run-off and wastewater, which, in the end, can achieve a two-fold benefit of increasing water supply (quantity) and improving the quality of available traditional freshwater resources. With the introduction of alternative sources however, and the delivery of fit-for-purpose water quality, it is crucial to both maintain and demonstrate the level of public health safety and protection in water supply. A systematic but flexible approach is needed to manage public health risks, either by framing and guiding the development of new supply schemes, or by assessing and validating the safety of existing schemes from contaminated sources. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) is a method that allows quantitative estimates to be made of microbial risks related to exposure of humans to water, either through drinking or other uses. In this chapter, the role of QMRA is described as a response to a 4-fold need, i.e. the need: (i) for technical guidance in the design of alternative supply schemes; (ii) for regulation to protect public health, both in traditional and alternative supply sources; (iii) for regulatory frameworks and institutions to enable innovation and development; and (iv) to assess new risks from innovative supply schemes and compare them to traditional water supply or other public health risks. Examples of water quality challenges in developing alternatives sources are given. Finally, the role of QMRA in balancing public health concerns with water availability issues and environmental, social, and economic factors in the decision-making process for water security planning is discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Water Security Initiative, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29, Oxford St., Pierce Hall, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Françoise Bichai PhD

  2. Water and Health, KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 1072, 3430 BB, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

    Patrick W. M. H. Smeets PhD

Authors
  1. Françoise Bichai PhD
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  2. Patrick W. M. H. Smeets PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Françoise Bichai PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Natl Univ, Crawford Sch of Public Policy, Bldg 132, Canberra, Aust Capital Terr, Australia

    Quentin Grafton

  2. Fellow, ANU Centre for European Studies, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Aust Capital Terr, Australia

    Katherine A. Daniell

  3. School of Economics, University of Queensland, Brisbane St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

    Céline Nauges

  4. Water Department, BRGM, French Geological Survey, Montpellier, France

    Jean-Daniel Rinaudo

  5. Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra, Aust Capital Terr, Australia

    Noel Wai Wah Chan

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Bichai, F., Smeets, P.W.M.H. (2015). Integrating Water Quality into Urban Water Management and Planning While Addressing the Challenge of Water Security. In: Grafton, Q., Daniell, K., Nauges, C., Rinaudo, JD., Chan, N. (eds) Understanding and Managing Urban Water in Transition. Global Issues in Water Policy, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9801-3_6

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