Method for Assessment of Water Supply Diversification

Abstract

The approaching prospect of obligatory implementation and pursuit of Water Safety Plans forces water companies to reflect on supplies in crisis situations that, for example, relate to the closure of a basic intake, or scarcity of water due to climates changes (droughts). Where supplies are diversified, there can be greater certainty as to the continuity of good quality supply, even in an emergency. As one of each country’s systems of critical infrastructure, the collective water supply system (CWSS) should be protected, with the diversification of supply treated as a basic tool to raise levels of security among consumers. This article, therefore, presents a method from the authors’ by which diversification may be assessed, including by reference to basic and key elements of the CWSS capable of affecting the continuity of water supply. Sample calculations using the proposed method are also presented here for selected Polish cities. In the event, as only one Polish CWSS can be assigned to the category representing excellent diversification, the suggestion is clearly that Poland’s systems must still progress with the diversification of water supply, in order to further reduce the risk of water shortages.

A New Concept of Crisis Water Management in Urban Areas Based on the Risk Maps of Lack of Water Supply in Response to European Law

“…They should be part of the actions taken by water companies every day. These actions should include [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31].…”

Relationships between Insufficient Drinking Water Supply and the Socio-Economic Development of Small Municipalities: Mayors’ Opinions from the Czech Republic

“…Heightened interest in the use of local sources of ground water has also been recorded abroad [11]. At the same time, there is a debate on the search for a balance between the advantages of using local water sources and the benefits of centralized drinking water supply via a regional water supply system [37,55,63,88]. Differences in solutions lie not only in economic optimization and establishing a correct price policy.…”

“…Differences in solutions lie not only in economic optimization and establishing a correct price policy. On one hand, there is the professionalism and the certainty of supply from a regional water supply system [37,88], and on the other is the advantage of self-sufficiency and the positive impact of the local community's involvement in the use of local natural resources and their help in protecting them [40,41,57,89]. A key factor in the selection of a proper solution can be the natural conditions of individual municipalities; therefore, on a local level, their detailed analysis and monitoring is recommended as a starting point for adaptation measures for the impacts of climate change [90][91][92].…”

“…The opinions of the representatives of the municipality can namely express existing perceptional, institutional, and economic barriers. Differing opinions on the significance and solutions to problems with drinking water may also be held by the representatives of the professional public or water resource management companies [93], e.g., in the question of the quality of drinking water [12], the security of drinking water supply provision [88], or the degree of influence on the regional development of municipalities [23]. It can be assumed that the perception of barriers generally differs according to a focus on either local (municipal) or regional planning [55].…”

A Smart Water Grid for Micro-Trading Rainwater: Hydraulic Feasibility Analysis

“…By taking a semi-decentralized approach that incorporates rainwater tanks into a reclaimed water network, diverse sources are utilized to meet potable demands. Diverse portfolios of water sources can lead to reliable water supply systems [96], and the smart water grid would meet demands during low rainfall by circulating reclaimed water and reusing rainwater when it is available. Other benefits of decentralized water management associated with a smart water grid may include offsetting household energy costs [97] and reducing stormwater flows [37].…”