Developing and implementing a TWM strategy—approaches and examples

Abstract

Managing water resources has become increasingly complex, requiring water managers to balance the needs of people, industries, and ecosystems while ensuring the sustainability of finite supplies. At the local level, the integration of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management is becoming more and more important to utilities. Total water management (TWM) offers water providers a holistic approach that depends on stakeholder participation and input to develop equitable and optimal water management solutions. With water supplies for municipal and industrial uses increasingly stressed in terms of both availability and quality, it is clear that more proactive and comprehensive water resource management is necessary to ensure continued viable water supply sources. Using TWM and some of the more innovative approaches for optimizing water supplies can help ensure long‐term water availability while providing significant cost‐savings. Furthermore, by implementing TWM strategies, utilities are more likely to meet complex regulatory requirements.