Options for Closed Water Systems : Sustainable Water Management

The introduction of sustainable water management will be a major issue in the next century. High-quality water is scarce in much of the world; the pollution of water resources and an increasing demand for water due to economic activity and population growth require new and fundamental analyses of water management systems. During the last century water management has followed a model of large-scale hi-tech systems for drinking water production, transport and treatment of wastewater, and discharge of rainfall runoff; and for the reduction of emissions and environmental impacts. However, in future the focus will be on resource conservation and the consequent recovery of useful materials/products from liquid and solid wastes. Hence, for sustainability, both environmental protection and conservation of resources must be addressed. These proceedings consider the technological, economical, social and ecological feasibility and the realisation of sustainable urban water management systems. Thirty-two articles have been selected covering sustainable water use in households an in agro-industry; on-site supply and runoff/wastewater collection; small-scale local treatment and reuse; socio-economic factors; and integrated assessment. They will provide waste and water technologists and engineers, social scientists, planners and economists, and other researchers in academia, utilities and government with a high-quality and timely examination of the future of water management.