• 
• Japanese
• 
• IETC's Focal Area
• Waste Management
• Publications & Tools
• Meetings & Workshops
• Global Partnership on Waste Management
• Background
• Objectives
  & Expected Outcomes
• Framework
• Sub-focal Areas
• Information Platform
• Meetings
• Participation / Membership
• Water and Sanitation
• Publications & Tools
• Meetings & Workshops
• Resources
• Publications & Tools
• About IETC
• Background and History
• Director
• Activity Reports
• Supporting Foundations
• Internship
• Contact Us

I. Session 7-II: Integrated Approaches for Efficient Water Use – Learning from Case Studies (2)

Moderator: Prof. Saburo Matsui, Kyoto University, Japan
Rapporteur: Eng. Alexander Rizzo, Operations Engineer, Malta Water Services Corporation

Presenters:
(1) Mr. John Bwalya Mwansa, Project Manager, Barbados Water Authority, Barbados
(2) Mr. Farooq Mohamed Hassan, Director, Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority, Maldives
(3) Mr. Teruyoshi Shinoda, Assistant Chief, Water Administration Section, Fukuoka City Waterworks Bureau, Japan
(4) Ms. Cristianne Chauvet-Urquidi, Director of Informatics, Mexico City Water Commission, Mexico

Four case studies were presented on the different water resource management issues that cities and countries face.

The first presentation introduced how the water-scarce island country of Barbados is currently adopting approaches for integrated, efficient water use. The country is totally dependent on groundwater and susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Recent efforts to encourage efficient water use have included a universal metering programme, a public education and awareness campaign, and a pilot project for water conservation in schools.

The reduction of high levels of unaccounted-for water has been targeted, through intensified leak detection and repair, water pressure reduction, and pipe rehabilitation and replacement. With its economy largely reliant on tourism, efforts are aimed at assessing the impact of water usage by this sector on the total water resources. It is proposed to change the tariff structure to an increasing block structure, which is conducive to efficient water use. Rainwater roof catchment systems have been compulsory for new buildings since 1995, with tax rebate incentives.

The second presentation outlined the policies and strategies contained within the integrated water resource management programme of Maldives. The major consumer of water is the domestic consumer, not agriculture or industry. Since the size and geological conditions of small island communities limit options for the development of surface water resources, conventional options for freshwater supplies are limited to groundwater utilisation, rainwater harvesting and desalination. The urban water supply was recently privatised and it is showing good results. The key strategy of the programme is to apply a “demand driven” approach in the provision of water supply and environmental sanitation services. To implement this strategy, the government is gradually changing its role from that of a “provider” to that of a “facilitator”.

The following conclusions and recommendations were presented:

• Although desalination is now a major source of freshwater especially in the tourist industry, it is not an economically viable option for small island communities.
• Although technically feasible, wastewater treatment for reuse may not be economically viable for small island communities. However, in the tourist resorts, wastewater treatment is being made mandatory and recycled water is used for sanitary flushing and gardening.
• Technology options must match the resources available to sustain them.
• Lack of reliable data, scarcity of capital resources, shortage of skilled labour, and poorly developed organisational structures are major factors that hinder implementation of integrated water resources management.
• Development and management of water resources on these small islands requires techniques, methods and approaches unique to the socio-economic situation of islands.

The third presentation presented approaches for efficient water use implemented in Fukuoka City with highly sophisticated technologies in Japan. Leak detection on water mains is implemented in 4-year cycle, and about 6000 leaks are fixed per year. Aged water mains are actively replaced to prevent leakage from deterioration, to meet increased demand, and to meet earthquake-resistant standards.

Serious water shortages in 1978 led to the development of a computerised, 24-hour monitoring and control system for efficient water distribution. A wastewater reuse system for flushing toilets is promoted and adapted in redeveloped districts, newly constructed apartment complexes and large buildings. Water-saving fittings on faucets and low-flush toilets are promoted and widely used.

The fourth presentation detailed Mexico City’s whole-scale water use reduction programme to ensure the technical and financial sustainability of its water supply system. An autonomous agency to manage the programme was established to avoid influence by various government agencies. The main strategies of the programme were a) promotion of efficient water use by billing for metered consumption, and b) water loss reduction by leakage control and facility improvement. To implement the project, contracts with private firms were made to utilise their expertise and latest technologies in water supply services.

The project consisted of three consecutive stages. In the first stage, preparation of updated registration data of customer’s connections and utility maps as well as installation of meters were carried out. Then, bill collection based on meter reading on a 2-month cycle was started and a new customer service system was introduced in the second stage. In the third stage, a leakage control programme and upgrading of water mains and connections were initiated.

With these efforts, Mexico City can obtain another 500 litre per second water without developing new water resources in remote areas. The cost of conserved water is estimated at almost half that of new water resource development. Public Awareness of water conservation was also enhanced and a new “water culture” was created through implementation of the project

Table of Contents

• Brochure
• 
• 



• International Year of Forests
• 
• 



• World Environment Day
• 
• 



• UNEP Campaign
• 
•