Urban Water Demand Forecasting And Demand Management

Aims to demonstrate why demand-side management is critical to urban water supply planning and to provide methods for incorporation. This book explains how and why urban water demands have changed over time and includes methods for the analysis of urban water demands. It also offers methods for integrating supply side and demand-side planning and management.

A common characteristic of water demand in urban areas worldwide is its inexorable rise over many years; continued growth is projected over coming decades. The chief influencing factors are population growth and migration, together with changes in lifestyle, demographic structure and the possible effects of climate change (the detailed implications of climate change are not yet clear, and anyway will depend on global location, but must at least increase the uncertainty in security of supply). This is compounded by rapid development, creeping urbanization and, in some places, rising standards of living. Meeting this increasing demand from existing resources is self-evidently an uphill struggle, particularly in water stressed/scarce regions in the developed and developing world alike. There are typically two potential responses: either "supply-side" (meeting demand with new resources) or "demand-side" (managing consumptive demand itself to postpone or avoid the need to develop new resources). There is considerable pressure from the general public, regulatory agencies, and some governments to minimise the impacts of new supply projects (e.g. building new reservoirs or inter-regional transfer schemes), implying the emphasis should be shifted towards managing water demand by best utilising the water that is already available. Water Demand Management has been prepared by the academic, government and industry network WATERSAVE. The concept of the book is to assemble a comprehensive picture of demand management topics ranging from technical to social and legal aspects, through expert critical literature reviews. The depth and breadth of coverage is a unique contribution to the field and the book will be an invaluable information source for practitioners and researchers, including water utility engineers/planners, environmental regulators, equipment and service providers, and postgraduates. Contents Water consumption trends and demand forecasting techniques The technology, design and utility of rainwater catchment systems Understanding greywater treatment Water conservation products Water conservation and sewerage systems An introduction to life cycle and rebound effects in water systems Developing a strategy for managing losses in water distribution networks Demand management in developing countries Drivers and barriers for water conservation and reuse in the UK The economics of water demand management Legislation and regulation mandating and influencing the efficient use of water in England and Wales Consumer reactions to water conservation policy instruments Decision support tools for water demand management

This book is an outcome of the workshop on water demand forecasting in 1985. It summarises the 'state-of-the-art' in water demand forecasting, and identifies some of its links with environmental issues. The book discusses some of the issues raised in more detail and provides case studies.

This book examines changes and transitions in the way water is managed in urban environments. This book originated from a joint French-Australian initiative on water and land management held in Montpellier, France. The book delivers practical insights into urban water management. It links scientific insights of researchers with the practical experiences of urban water practitioners to understand and respond to key trends in how urban water is supplied, treated and consumed. The 51 contributors to the volume provide a range of insights, case studies, summaries and analyses of urban water and from a global perspective. The first section on water supply and sanitation includes case studies from Zimbabwe, France and South Africa, among others. Water demand and water economics are addressed in the second section of the book, with chapters on long-term water demand forecasting, the social determinants of water consumption in Australian cities, a study of water quality and consumption in France, governance and regulation of the urban water sector and more. The third section explores water governance and integrated management, with chapters on water management in Quebec, in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond urban area, in Singapore and in Australia. The final section offers perspectives on challenges and future uncertainties for urban water systems in transition. Collectively, the diverse insights provide an important step forward in response to the challenges of sustainably delivering water safely, efficiently and equitably.

The report is based on a review of both published and unpublished water demand forecasting literature providing an annotated description of each including reference. (Author).