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Conceptual Urban Water Balance Model for Water Policy Testing: An Approach for Large Scale Investigation

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  • Peter Zeisl

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

  • Michael Mair

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

  • Ulrich Kastlunger

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

  • Peter M. Bach

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag), Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
    Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
    Monash Infrastructure Research Institute, Civil Engineering Department, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia)

  • Wolfgang Rauch

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

  • Robert Sitzenfrei

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

  • Manfred Kleidorfer

    (Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, Innsbruck 6020, Austria)

Abstract

Urban water management will face various challenges in the future. Growing population in cities, changing climatic conditions and uncertain availability of water resources necessitate forward-looking water policy strategies. In this paper, we introduce a new water balance model to evaluate urban water strategies at a city scale. The aim is to evaluate decentralised water management measures within a large-scale investigation and to reduce external potable water demand. The upscaling process of local information (water demand, areal data) to a conceptual model approach is described. The modelling approach requires simplification of detailed processes to enable the execution with limited computing capacity. The model was applied to Greater Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, a highly sprawled city with nearly four million inhabitants. Scenario analysis demonstrated the impact of using different water resources of different quality classes, the extensive implementation of water saving appliances and decentralised water storage strategies on the city’s water balance. Results indicate a potential reduction of potable water demand of up to 25% with a conservative rainwater reuse and, even 60% with widespread implementation of rain- and greywater recycling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that even small systems implemented at a local level can have noticeable effects when operated as clustered schemes.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Zeisl & Michael Mair & Ulrich Kastlunger & Peter M. Bach & Wolfgang Rauch & Robert Sitzenfrei & Manfred Kleidorfer, 2018. "Conceptual Urban Water Balance Model for Water Policy Testing: An Approach for Large Scale Investigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-24, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:716-:d:134946
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelly Fielding & John Gardner & Zoe Leviston & Jennifer Price, 2015. "Comparing Public Perceptions of Alternative Water Sources for Potable Use: The Case of Rainwater, Stormwater, Desalinated Water, and Recycled Water," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(12), pages 4501-4518, September.
    2. Negin Ashoori & David A. Dzombak & Mitchell J. Small, 2016. "Modeling the Effects of Conservation, Demographics, Price, and Climate on Urban Water Demand in Los Angeles, California," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(14), pages 5247-5262, November.
    3. Sandra Martinez & Oscar Escolero & Leif Wolf, 2011. "Total Urban Water Cycle Models in Semiarid Environments—Quantitative Scenario Analysis at the Area of San Luis Potosi, Mexico," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(1), pages 239-263, January.
    4. Wa’el A. Hussien & Fayyaz A. Memon & Dragan A. Savic, 2016. "Assessing and Modelling the Influence of Household Characteristics on Per Capita Water Consumption," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(9), pages 2931-2955, July.
    5. Michael Short & William Peirson & Gregory Peters & Ronald Cox, 2012. "Managing Adaptation of Urban Water Systems in a Changing Climate," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(7), pages 1953-1981, May.
    6. Marguerite A. Renouf & Steven J. Kenway, 2017. "Evaluation Approaches for Advancing Urban Water Goals," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(4), pages 995-1009, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Suélen Fernandes & Mariele Canal Bonfante & Carla Tognato Oliveira & Mauricio Uriona Maldonado & Lucila M. S. Campos, 2020. "Decentralized Water Supply Management Model: a Case Study of Public Policies for the Utilization of Rainwater," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 34(9), pages 2771-2785, July.

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