Integration of water reuse in the planning of livable cities

Abstract

Until recently, urban water management was preferentially focused on treating water for safe use by human beings, and treating wastewater for safe discharge into natural water bodies. Because water availability in the rapidly growing cities is very often extremely limited, a shift of focus towards recovery and reuse concepts appears to be inevitable. Representatives of water authorities, spatial and urban planners, architects, utility managers and the civil society are urged to realize that wastewater is a resource rather than a liquid to be wasted. After proper treatment, the wastewater is to be considered as an alternative source of usable water. It might be utilized for groundwater recharge, for irrigation of parks and gardens, for toilet flushing and even for direct human consumption. Centralized water reuse strategies have already been introduced in cities such as Singapore but need to be complemented by decentralized solutions down to the level of housing complexes, high-rise buildings, hotels and recreational resorts. The required technology is reasonably well developed and readily available. Urban planners and architects are invited to take advantage of such options.