Total Water Solutions: Integrated Water Resource Planning

Abstract

E nsuring long-term reliability and resiliency of water delivery, along with protecting public health from the source to the tap, are paramount for water utilities. However, only a limited number of communities can rely on a single water source to meet their current and future water demand. The management of water, wastewater, reuse, stormwater, and other lower-quality water is all closely inter-related, and each is a valuable resource. Total Water Solutions ® is an approach that values each of these components of the water cycle with the adage of "one water, many solutions."A key component of water resource management is the planning and use of all available water resources in ways that address the environmental, economic, and social concerns of the community, which may extend far beyond community borders. The current AWWA policy statement on the development and management of water resources reads as follows:The American Water Works Association (AWWA) supports and promotes the integrated use of adaptive water resources planning processes and effective management practices that together provide for reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective supplies of appropriate quality water for customers.Freshwater sources are increasingly at risk from a variety of natural and human-induced stressors, including population increase, climate change, land-use practices, and pollution. Additionally, water system reliability is increasingly at risk due to aging infrastructure that is in need of replacement or renewal.In order to assure current and future water supply reliability, it is essential that water managers utilize iterative and adaptive long-range planning processes that encourage consideration of both local and regional water supply options, including demand management. These efforts should be comprehensive in approach, include the participation of local and regional stakeholders, and explicitly evaluate regional water resource conditions 2016

Financing Integration of Urban Water Systems: From Service Provision to Resource Management

“…At a basic level, it means the integrated management of urban water services for water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and recycled water. This is what is meant by the slogan of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) named “Total Water Solutions®,” which is explained as “one water, many solutions” (Davis, Sham, Dumm, & Kammereck, 2016). An expanded concept links One Water to other sectors and promotes coordination in comprehensive planning.…”