Shifting paradigms, changing waters: Transitioning to integrated urban water management in the coastal city of Dunedin, USA

Abstract

Issues related to growing urban populations, protecting the environment and adapting to the changing climate cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to providing reliable water supply to urban areas. Sustainable cities look to shift away from the traditional urban water management characterized by a fragmented approach, and transition to form a new paradigm; one that manages the urban water cycle in a more integrated way, as a single resource, satisfying contemporary issues and adapting to future needs.This paper presents Dunedin, a highly urbanized coastal city, as a case study which considers contemporary issues and future needs of urban water supply. Where most IUWM case studies in literature explore only greywater and wastewater reuse, this paper evaluates the entire urban water cycle beginning with the sustainable extraction of groundwater. Dunedin’s challenges and responses illustrates IUWM’s usefulness in sustainable water use in a nearly closed loop system while providing valuable lessons for cities on a similar trajectory toward improved resilience. Innovative groundwater management strategies, investment in infrastructure technology and aggressive conservation have contributed toward greater sustainability and resilience.