One Water, Two Pipes

Abstract

The hydrologic cycle physically demonstrates the premise of “one water” in which molecules of H2O transition from precipitation to overland/underground flow or storage until they eventually arrive back into the atmosphere and begin the process again. Along the way, water carries a range of constituents, chemicals, and contaminants either as solids or dissolved in water-dominated solutions. Woven into water's cyclical journey, public water systems take and replace water for a community's benefit. This cycle is relatively straightforward, and when the public recognizes water's continuity at watershed and global levels, it allows the water industry to frame how precious water resources are managed. The idea of one water also lies at the heart of integrated water resource management, which aims to unify planning and management of water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse to maximize efficiency, reliability, and overall community and environmental benefits. But while the physical idea of “one water” connects all waters conceptually, it leaves aside the systems that convey and treat the various blends. For some that may be the point—i.e., the one-water concept intentionally doesn't reference traditional water silos to create a more holistic approach. However, from a wider industry perspective, operating, maintaining, and improving the systems that provide all water services are usually just as concerning as managing the water that passes through them. While the idea of one water can shape our notion of water resources, I think the water industry should add “two pipes” to draw attention to the water systems the public is most familiar with, namely their faucets and drains. Whether pouring a glass of water from the tap or washing our hands, we use these two pipes so often that we don't recognize their value until there's a problem. The public most likely grasps its water use through this one-water/two-pipes paradigm, but one could alternatively use “three pipes” to draw in stormwater, or even “four pipes” to include reuse. This approach to manage all waters is the basis for AWWA's Total Water Solutions strategy. So although Total Water Solutions may be understood by water professionals, it's likely not the best place to start discussing water issues with your neighbors and community members. Elevating the importance of water and water systems in the public's estimation is vital as the industry addresses challenges like the expense of system renewal and replacement, training tomorrow's more sophisticated workforce, and sustainability. One water/two pipes provides a platform to discuss other industry concerns and a foundation for explaining more complex Total Water Solutions topics, including conservation and water loss control, resource recovery, affordability, and climate change. It also allows urban planners and policymakers a better starting point as they negotiate a more flexible approach to overall water management that includes innovative engineered solutions and green infrastructure. This approach isn't AWWA policy, but you don't have to go farther than AWWA's logo to see that previous generations understood the concept of one water/two pipes: AWWA's logo was chosen in part to communicate both supply and systems issues. I encourage you to give serious thought to how you communicate the value of water as well as all systems that move and treat it. This month's Journal AWWA includes articles on dam risk and response, and water supply resilience. Please submit your articles or ideas for future Journal AWWA issues to me at journaleditor@awwa.org.