Holistic but applicable approaches are urgently needed to help plan long-term, cost-effective and sustainable urban water management systems. Groundwater is a central element in the urban water cycle of all cities located on aquifers, yet it remains inadequately integrated into urban water management practices. This book describes holistic approaches for quantification and balancing of urban water and solute fluxes that have been developed by the joint Euro-Australian research project AISUWRS. The new tools comprise a chain of interconnected models that link urban water supply, urban drainage and urban groundwater resources. These include a new sewer exfiltration, model that is based on pipe asset conditions which permits flows to the environment to be estimated. The book provides details on the further processing of this information through the unsaturated zone down to aquifer, where numerical groundwater flow and transport models are applied. Concise documentation is provided on each of the models. The practicability of applying the chain of models was tested by applying it in four case study cities in Australia, Germany, Slovenia and the United Kingdom that have diverse conditions in terms of hydrogeologic setup, climate and data availability. This permitted additional validation by field investigations, including problem-oriented monitoring campaigns aimed at assessing the impact of wastewater practice on groundwater. The book provides guidance and examples of the application of multilevel piezometers, on adapted monitoring strategies, and the use for interpretation purposes of microbiological parameters, pharmaceutical residues and related marker species. The socio-economic analysis in the case study cities sometimes uncovered distinctively different problem perceptions and priorities, both in the groups of experts responsible for the water management and with the remaining stakeholders. The AISUWRS project has developed tools to foster these urgently required deliberation processes. Methodologies for formal sustainability assessment with a triple bottom line background were also elaborated and tested during the case studies. The case studies have shown that the approach is valid and constitutes an important step towards integrated urban water management.

It is well known that 55% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, and this figure is predicted to grow to 68% by 2050, adding more than 2.5 billion people to urban populations. It is also projected that there will be 43 megacities worldwide by 2030, with populations of more than 10 million inhabitants. The United Nations World Water Development Report, 2018, warned that by 2030, the global demand for fresh water is likely to exceed supply by 40%. Added to population growth, climate change has the potential to lead to changes in rainfall regimes, with the potential of increased flooding and drought. Currently, 1.2 billion people are at risk from flooding, but this is predicted to increase to about 1.6 billion, i.e., nearly 20% of the total world population, by 2050. In line with this, replacing deteriorating water management infrastructure that can no longer cope is economically unfeasible, impracticable from a construction point of view, and likely to fail in the long term. To address these issues, approaches are needed that are flexible and have multiple benefits. In its World Water Development Report, 2018, the UN promotes the use of nature-based solutions to some of these problems, with the focus of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (making sure that everyone has access to a safe and affordable supply of potable water and sanitation by 2030) requiring investment in suitable infrastructure across the world. This Special Issue covers the challenges faced in managing urban water in all its forms, from potable supplies to reuse and harvesting, as well as resilient and sustainable approaches developed to address flooding and drought.

Growing populations and rising standards of living exert stress on water supply and the quality of drinking water. This book presents aspects of challenges in the management of urban water resources, urban water supply, urban drainage and water bodies, wastewater treatment, security, and reuse. The book presents expert opinions which indicate that the way to deal with the current urban water management dilemmas is by integrated management and innovative delivery of water services.

URBAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NATO ADVANCED RESEARCH WORKSHOP SUMMARY 22-27 JUNE 1989 KYLE E SCHILLING P E Workshop Director The Workshop was based on the recognition that all NATO countries are concerned with similar water infrastructure issues. Present problems are aggravated by aging and neglected facilities, by inadequate financing and by water management institutions reflecting the needs of an earlier era. Service needs to be provided for expanding populations, at the same time that corrective measures must be taken for decaying older urban centers, resulting both from neglect and expiring service life. These needs exist within the framewode of other competing and conflicting uses for existing and yet to be developed water sources. The problems have generated some highly visible national debates over financing due to the large sums involved. Despite differences in the age of the North American, European and other societies, the technological ages of water supply and storm water systems are much the same and provide a common denominator in the worldwide trend to urbanization. Examination of approaches to urban water management also indicates that they are generally based on past experience and institutions created in a non-urban era. The physical, financial and institutional alternatives are consequently often out-of-step with current urban environment. Historically, the supply of adequate water and efficient storm water management have also been top priority items with water quality and other aspects of environmental protection assuming a lower priority after basic supply needs have been met.

Environmental engineers continue to rely on the leading resource in the field on the principles and practice of water resources engineering. The second edition now provides them with the most up-to-date information along with a remarkable range and depth of coverage. Two new chapters have been added that explore water resources sustainability and water resources management for sustainability. New and updated graphics have also been integrated throughout the chapters to reinforce important concepts. Additional end-of-chapter questions have been added as well to build understanding. Environmental engineers will refer to this text throughout their careers.