Wastewater - Turning Problem to Solution

Case studies

Persistent challenges

There is a need for systemic change across the whole water supply, management and reuse system. It needs to be su ciently exible to meet future challenges, such as climate change and population growth. There is also a recognition that success in implementing such change could have multiple co-bene ts. Improved monitoring and reporting is critical to inform planning.

Denmark and China

INCREASINGLY URGENT

Resources recovery from wastewater treatment in Denmark is helping to lower energy demands from this sector (see Billund case study).

Despite an increasing population, water use in China has declined since 2013, largely due to government policies. There has been an associated decrease in wastewater generation (Xu et al. 2020).

Social acceptability still remains a barrier to wastewater reuse. Consideration of sustainability must include nancial sustainability.

Japan

STILL RELEVANT

While there are examples of growing public acceptance for reuse, social acceptability of wastewater remains a barrier. In an example from Japan, the public acceptance of vegetables cultivated using reclaimed

water was shown to increase from 40% to 60%, when accompained by an awareness campaign to inform consumers about the water reuse project and provide reassurance as to the quality and safety of reclaimed water. This awareness-raising was important for developing trust (Takeuchi and Tanaka 2020).

Changes in behaviour and social acceptability are important challenges to be taken into account in order to identify socially/culturally appropriate and gender sensitive opportunities for wastewater resource recovery and reuse.

Singapore

STILL RELEVANT

As part of its water security strategy, Singapore has set a target to reduce per-capita consumption of water to 130 litres per day by 2030.

This has been done through a combinaton of awareness campaigns and community participation to encourage sustainable water use behaviour across sectors. Measures include a toilet replacement programme, awards for water e ciency and water e ciency labelling schemes (Singapore’s National Water Agency, Public Utilities Board 2021).

Source: GRID-Arendal/Studio Atlantis, 2023

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