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Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector

Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector

Kylie Hyde

(2013)

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Book Details

Abstract

Available as eBook only. 
The term 'Water Footprinting' can be used to describe an emerging set of tools that can be applied to obtain information about the consumption and degradation of fresh water over a defined period of time. The impact that the consumption and degradation of fresh water resources has on the environment and society can be assessed using a number of tools. Water Footprinting tools have predominantly been applied within the agricultural and industrial sectors. The approaches are being increasingly utilised, in particular by corporations in the food and beverage industries. Limited applications involving the urban water system are evident to date.   
Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector provides: 

  •  An overview of the Urban Water Sector through a summary of the trends and challenges facing the sector and some information concerning the variations in the sector across the globe 
  • A summary of the urban water system by defining the possible scope, boundaries, flows and impacts
  • An overview of a number of common approaches and their development with summaries of example applications a research strategy that contains a map of knowledge, a summary of key issues, challenges and knowledge gaps, suggested research priorities and some suggested actions 

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover\r Cover
Contents iii
List of Tables vi
List of Figures vi
Global Water Research Coalition vii
Acknowledgement viii
Preface ix
1. Water Footprinting – Executive Summary 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Water Footprinting 2
1.3 Urban Water Sector 2
1.4 Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector 3
1.5 Framework for Application of Water Footprinting 3
1.6 Water Footprinting Amongst Other Tools 3
1.7 Challenges & Knowledge Gaps 4
1.8 Research Needs 4
1.9 The Way Forward 4
1.10 Guide to Reports 5
1.11 Example Application (Hypothetical) 6
2. Urban Water Sector Overview 8
2.1 Introduction 8
2.1.1 Trends and Challenges 8
2.2 Urban Water Sector 9
2.2.1 Definition 9
2.2.2 Global Context 9
2.2.3 Objectives, Roles & Responsibilities 11
2.2.4 Stakeholders 13
2.2.5 Needs 14
2.3 Urban Water System 15
2.3.1 Overview 15
2.3.2 Scope 16
2.3.3 Boundaries 16
2.3.4 Flows 17
2.3.5 Impacts 20
2.3.6 Compensation 21
2.4 Summary 22
2.5 References 23
2.6 Attachment A: Acronyms & Glossary 23
2.7 Attachment B: Local Water Resource Context 28
3. Sustainability Related Indicators, Indices & Tools 29
3.1 Introduction 29
3.2 Chronology 30
3.3 Indicators 30
3.3.1 OECD Environmental Indicators 31
3.3.2 GRI Indicators 32
3.3.3 Ecosystem Service Indicators 32
3.3.4 Water Stress & Water Scarcity Indicators 33
3.4 Indices 33
3.4.1 Infrastructure Leakage Index 34
3.4.2 Water Poverty Index 34
3.4.3 Water Scarcity Index 34
3.4.4 Palmer Drought Severity Index 34
3.4.5 Environmental Sustainability and Performance Index 35
3.4.6 Water Stress Index 35
3.4.7 Water Impact Index 35
3.5 Tools 36
3.5.1 Life Cycle Assessment 36
3.5.2 Ecological Footprint 40
3.5.3 Virtual Water 41
3.5.4 Carbon Footprint 41
3.5.5 Water Accounting 43
3.5.6 Water Footprint 44
3.5.7 GEMI Water Sustainability Planner and Tool 47
3.5.8 WBCSD Global Water Tool 48
3.5.9 Water Supply Footprint 48
3.5.10 Water Stewardship 48
3.5.11 SUSTAIN 49
3.6 Pathways 49
3.7 Summary 50
3.8 References 50
3.9 Attachment A: Acronyms & Glossary 53
4. Framework 58
4.1 Introduction 58
4.1.1 Water Footprinting Overview 58
4.1.2 Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector 58
4.1.3 Purpose & Development of this Document 59
4.2 Framework 60
4.2.1 Purpose 60
4.2.2 Context 60
4.2.3 Process 61
4.2.4 Expected Outcomes 66
4.3 Areas for Further Development 66
4.4 References 66
4.5 Attachment A: Acronyms & Glossary 67
4.6 Attachment B: Methodologies 73
4.7 Attachment C: Possible Sources of Data 77
4.8 Attachment D: Flows in the Urban Water Sector 80
4.9 Attachment E: Example Water Footprinting Application – Adelaide Region 83
4.10 Attachment F: Energy and Water / Water and Energy 96
4.11 Attachment G: Chemicals 102
4.12 Attachment H: Aspects for Reporting 104
4.13 Attachment I: Drivers for the Urban Water Sector 106
5. Research Strategy 108
5.1 Introduction 108
5.1.1 Research Needs 108
5.1.2 Water Footprinting Overview 108
5.1.3 Water Footprinting in the Urban Water Sector 109
5.2 Map of Knowledge 109
5.3 Key Issues, Challenges & Knowledge Gaps 112
5.3.1 Terminology Use 112
5.3.2 Method Development 113
5.3.3 Data Availability and Reliability 115
5.3.4 Value of Application 115
5.3.5 Practical Applications 116
5.3.6 Communication 116
5.4 Priority Research Topics 117
5.4.1 Water Quality 117
5.4.2 Water Transfers 118
5.4.3 Water End Points 118
5.4.4 Data Assumptions 119
5.4.5 Timescales 119
5.5 Suggested Actions 120
5.6 Summary 122
5.7 References 123
5.8 Attachment A: Acronyms & Glossary 124
5.9 Attachment B: Complementary Projects 130
5.10 Attachment C: Potential Research & Communication Linkages 139
5.11 Attachment D: Comparison of Sources of Data 141
5.12 Attachment E: Example Water Footprinting Applications in the Literature 145
5.13 Attachment F: Water Quality Approaches 151
5.14 Attachment G: Comparison of Boundary Definitions 153
5.15 Attachment H: Comparison of Terminology 154