What is the Difference between traditional and urban Water Management?

The world's population has surpassed 7 billion people with cities outnumbering rural regions. However, not everyone has access to the advantages of city living!

Rapid population growth, insufficient public amenities, and outdated urban planning models have pushed large numbers of newcomers into informal settlements or slums, worsening inequality and urban poverty while jeopardizing attempts to attain and maintain water security.

For the world's increasing urban areas, water is a vital natural resource. The sustainable development goal on water has prioritized urban water management, as well as the management of water resources in agriculture and industry.

What are Urban Water Management Systems?

A typical urban water system consists of an underground piped network that may supply drinking water, as well as remove waste and storm water. Water collection and storage facilities, aqueducts (canals, pipelines, tunnels, etc.) for transporting water from the point of origin to the treatment facilities; treatment and distribution systems, including storage at the treatment site; wastewater collection (sewer) and treatment systems; and an urban drainage system are the components at the source site.

Traditional Urban Water Management

The traditional strategy to delivering urban water services has centered on supplying all-purpose drinking water, processing wastewater and then discharging to receiving waterways, and fast transporting storm water away from metropolitan areas to avoid floods. These approaches to urban water management have benefited urban populations in a variety of ways, including public health and other advantages. Traditional urban water management practicesare now well understood to be increasing urban sustainability issues such as inefficient resource use and damaged ecosystems.The major objectives of traditional urban water system are to supply clean drinking water, manage wastewater for public health, guard against floods, and reduce pollution impacts.

Integrated urban water management (IUWM)

Ensure access to water and sanitation infrastructure and services; manage rainwater, wastewater, stormwater drainage, and runoff pollution; control waterborne diseases and epidemics; and reduce the risk of water-related hazards such as floods, droughts, and landslides are all goals of urban water management. While this is going on, water management measures must be followed to avoid resource degradation.

Water sources, water use sectors, water services, and water management scales are all part of the integrated urban water management approach:

1. It recognizes different types of water sources.

2. It distinguishes between the properties of water sources and their possible uses.

3. Water storage, distribution, treatment, recycling, and disposal are all considered to be part of the same resource management cycle.

4. It aims to preserve, protect, and utilize water at its source.

5. It takes into consideration non-urban consumers who rely on the same water supply.

6. It harmonizes the official (organizations, regulations, and policies) and informal (norms and customs) institutions that control water in and for cities.

7. It understands the interconnections between water resources, land use, and energy.

8. It aims for economic efficiency, social equality, and environmental sustainability at the same time.

9. It invites all stakeholders to participate.

There is no doubt that IUWM approach has more benefits than the traditional approach but at the same time this approach is difficult to adopt.

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