Barriers to Innovation in Urban Wastewater Utilities: Attitudes of Managers in California

Kiparsky, Michael; Thompson, Bruce; Binz, Christian; Sedlak, David L.; Tummers, Lars; Truffer, Bernhard

doi:10.1007/s00267-016-0685-3

Cited by 39 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, the general tendency to risk aversion and the restricted time available to utility managers in UWM are not conducive to promoting innovative change. 223 The introduction of new practices is obviously complex and time-consuming and will require changes such as institutional transitions. However, the complex and multidimensional process of changing dominant professional cultures and forming new industries with different practices such as on-site treatment or RTC needs to be discussed elsewhere.…”

Section: Challenges Of Data-driven Uwmmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Potential of Knowing More: A Review of Data-Driven Urban Water Management

Eggimann

Mutzner

Wani

et al. 2017

Environ. Sci. Technol.

197

148

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The promise of collecting and utilizing large amounts of data has never been greater in the history of urban water management (UWM). This paper reviews several data-driven approaches which play a key role in bringing forward a sea change. It critically investigates whether data-driven UWM offers a promising foundation for addressing current challenges and supporting fundamental changes in UWM. We discuss the examples of better rain-data management, urban pluvial flood-risk management and forecasting, drinking water and sewer network operation and management, integrated design and management, increasing water productivity, wastewater-based epidemiology and on-site water and wastewater treatment. The accumulated evidence from literature points toward a future UWM that offers significant potential benefits thanks to increased collection and utilization of data. The findings show that data-driven UWM allows us to develop and apply novel methods, to optimize the efficiency of the current network-based approach, and to extend functionality of today's systems. However, generic challenges related to data-driven approaches (e.g., data processing, data availability, data quality, data costs) and the specific challenges of data-driven UWM need to be addressed, namely data access and ownership, current engineering practices and the difficulty of assessing the cost benefits of data-driven UWM.

show abstract

Section: Challenges Of Data-driven Uwmmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A whole-system perspective is necessary for the transformation of UWM systems and technologies need to be adapted to local conditions. 7,166 Very different barriers need to be addressed as a myriad of factors affect innovation processes 21,214,223,230…”

Section: Challenges Of Data-driven Uwmmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Knowing More: A Review of Data-Driven Urban Water Management

Eggimann

Mutzner

Wani

et al. 2017

Environ. Sci. Technol.

197

148

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The framework suggests that social identity and cultural identity drive risk perception. Moreover, the framework has also been used extensively to study risk perceptions in the context of sustainable resource management [23,24].…”

Section: Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Agricultural Intensification a Growing Health Concern? Perceptions from Waste Management Stakeholders in Vietnam

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article characterizes the health risk perceptions toward excreta and wastewater management practices among waste management stakeholders in Vietnam and explores the implications of such perceptions on hygiene behaviors and preventative actions. Key informant interviews (n = 19; 12 women and 7 men) were conducted with farmers, community leaders, researchers, and government representatives in Hanoi and Ha Nam Province. Interviews were audio-recorded with permission, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparative method and qualitative thematic analysis. Researchers and government representatives perceived that the lack of knowledge of safe waste management practices among farmers was responsible for the use of “outdated” and often “unsafe” waste management practices. However, many farmers were aware of the health risks and safe hygienic practices but felt that safety measures were impractical and viewed susceptibility to diseases as low risk. Farmers also identified unfavorable climate and working conditions, limited financial capacity, and limited farm space as barriers to adopting safe management practices. At the broader level, inadequate communication between ministries often led to the creation of inconsistent waste management regulations. These barriers create constraints on efforts to improve sustainable waste management practices. Promoting collaboration between sectors, encouraging farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and designing and implementing risk communication strategies that account for risk perceptions of stakeholders are recommended.

show abstract

“…There are several limitations from the survey designs that should be understood when interpreting their results: namely, the limited sample size and the likelihood that utilities in the sample were already interested in innovation. Further, as noted in Kiparsky et al 2016, self‐assessments can be skewed and overestimate the level of innovation at work in the organization.…”

Section: Utility Surveys and Workhopsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multiple studies have discussed barriers to innovation (Carter et al 2017, Kiparsky et al 2016, Speight 2015, Loewe & Dominiquini 2006); however, a growing number of forward‐thinking utilities are finding ways to overcome these barriers by focusing on key challenges, creating an environment of engagement, and developing solutions through utility‐led innovation programs. Utility innovation programs provide processes for managing ideas as assets.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%