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Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources
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Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2020) | Viewed by 30721

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Susanne Charlesworth

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Ryton Gardens, Wolston Lane, Coventry CV8 3LG, UK
Interests: sustainable drainage systems (SuDS); nature-based solutions; design and installation of SuDS in informal settlements, favelas, and refugee camps; role of green infrastructure; ecosystem service provision; urban lake and river sediments; urban physical processes: urban hydrology; risk to children’s health of contaminants in playground material; efficiency of porous paving in degrading oil and dealing with metal pollutants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Craig Lashford

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy, Construction and Environment & Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Interests: sustainable drainage; urban flooding; flood modelling; natural flood risk management; hydrological monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that currently 55% of the world’s population live in urban areas, and this is predicted to grow to 68% by 2050, adding more than 2.5 billion people to urban populations. It is also projected that there will be 43 megacities worldwide by 2030, with populations of more than 10 million inhabitants. Most of these huge cities will be in developing regions. Many cities are therefore growing at rates that exceed their capacity to accommodate their increasing populations, with cities such as Cape Town, South Africa having had widely publicised struggles to maintain a secure and safe supply of water to residents. Other cities face similar problems, and the United Nations World Water Development Report, 2018, warned that by 2030, the global demand for fresh water is likely to exceed supply by 40%. Added to population growth, climate change has the potential to lead to changes in rainfall regimes, with the potential of increased flooding and drought. Currently, 1.2 billion people are at risk from flooding, but this is predicted to increase to about 1.6 billion by 2050; representing nearly 20% of the total world population. In line with this, replacing deteriorating water management infrastructure that can no longer cope is economically unfeasible, impracticable from a construction point of view, and is likely to fail in the long term.

To address this multicomplexity of issues approaches are needed that are flexible and have multiple benefits. In its World Water Development Report, 2018, the UN promotes the use of nature-based solutions to some of these problems, with the focus of Sustainable Development Goal 6 making sure that everyone has access to a safe and affordable supply of potable water and sanitation by 2030, requiring investment in suitable infrastructure across the world.

This Special Issue will cover the challenges faced in managing urban water in all its forms from potable supplies, to reuse and harvesting, as well as resilient and sustainable approaches developed to address flooding and drought. We are looking for articles worldwide, from formal and informal settlements and developed, transitioning and developing countries and welcome field studies, laboratory experiments, modelling and design.

Prof. Susanne Charlesworth
Dr. Craig Lashford
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Potable supplies
  • sustainable drainage
  • flood resilience
  • greywater management
  • drought
  • SDG6
  • water efficiency

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4811 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Causes and Effects of Groundwater Level Change in an Urban Area (Warsaw, Poland)
by Ewa Krogulec, Jerzy J. Małecki, Dorota Porowska and Anna Wojdalska
Water 2020, 12(11), 3107; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12113107 - 5 Nov 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3622
Abstract
Monitoring the data of groundwater level in long-term measurement series has allowed for assessment of the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on groundwater recharge. It allows for assessing the actual groundwater quantity, which constitutes the basis for balanced and sustainable groundwater planning [...] Read more.
Monitoring the data of groundwater level in long-term measurement series has allowed for assessment of the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on groundwater recharge. It allows for assessing the actual groundwater quantity, which constitutes the basis for balanced and sustainable groundwater planning and management in an urban area. Groundwater levels in three aquifers were studied: the shallow and deeper Quaternary aquifers and the Oligocene aquifer in Warsaw (Poland). Statistical analysis was performed on a 27-year (1993–2019) cycle of daily measurements of groundwater levels. The studies focused on determining the range and causes of groundwater level changes in urban-area aquifers. The groundwater table position in the Quaternary aquifer pointed to variable long-term recharge and allowed for the identification of homogenous intervals with identification of water table fluctuation trends. A decrease in the water table was observed within the Quaternary aquifers. The Oligocene aquifer displayed an opposite trend. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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16 pages, 4585 KiB  
Article
Descriptive Analysis of the Performance of a Vegetated Swale through Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring: A Case Study from Coventry, UK
by Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda, Jorge Roces-García, Stephen J. Coupe, Esther Barrios-Crespo, Carlos Rey-Mahía, Felipe P. Álvarez-Rabanal and Craig Lashford
Water 2020, 12(10), 2781; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12102781 - 6 Oct 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4525
Abstract
Vegetated swales are a popular sustainable drainage system (SuDS) used in a wide range of environments from urban areas and transport infrastructure, to rural environments, sub-urban and natural catchments. Despite the fact that vegetated swales, also known as grassed swales, have received scientific [...] Read more.
Vegetated swales are a popular sustainable drainage system (SuDS) used in a wide range of environments from urban areas and transport infrastructure, to rural environments, sub-urban and natural catchments. Despite the fact that vegetated swales, also known as grassed swales, have received scientific attention over recent years, especially from a hydrological perspective, there is a need for further research in the field, with long-term monitoring. In addition, vegetated swales introduce further difficulties, such as the biological growth occurring in their surface layer, as well as the biological evolution taking place in them. New developments, such as the implementation of thermal devices within the cross-section of green SuDS for energy saving purposes, require a better understanding of the long-term performance of the surface temperature of swales. This research aims to contribute to a better understanding of these knowledge gaps through a descriptive analysis of a vegetated swale in Ryton, Coventry, UK, under a Cfb Köppen climatic classification and a mixed rural and peri-urban scenario. Precipitation and temperature patterns associated with seasonality effects were identified. Furthermore, a level of biological evolution was described due to the lack of periodical and planned maintenance activities, reporting the presence of both plant species and pollinators. Only one event of flooding was identified during the three hydrological years monitored in this research study, showing a robust performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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13 pages, 2226 KiB  
Article
Modelling the Role of SuDS Management Trains in Minimising Flood Risk, Using MicroDrainage
by Craig Lashford, Susanne Charlesworth, Frank Warwick and Matthew Blackett
Water 2020, 12(9), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092559 - 13 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4131
Abstract
This novel research models the impact that commonly used sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have on runoff, and compare this to their land take. As land take is consistently cited as a key barrier to the wider implementation of SuDS, it is essential to [...] Read more.
This novel research models the impact that commonly used sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have on runoff, and compare this to their land take. As land take is consistently cited as a key barrier to the wider implementation of SuDS, it is essential to understand the possible runoff reduction in relation to the area they take up. SuDS management trains consisting of different combinations of detention basins, green roofs, porous pavement and swales were designed in MicroDrainage. In this study, this is modelled against the 1% Annual Exceedance Potential storm (over 30, 60, 90, 120, 360 and 720 min, under different infiltration scenarios), to determine the possible runoff reduction of each device. Detention basins were consistently the most effective regarding maximum runoff reduction for the land they take (0.419 L/s/m2), with porous pavement the second most effective, achieving 0.145 L/s/m2. As both green roofs (20.34%) and porous pavement (6.76%) account for land that would traditionally be impermeable, there is no net-loss of land compared to a traditional drainage approach. Consequently, although the modelled SuDS management train accounts for 34.86% of the total site, just 7.76% of the land is lost to SuDS, whilst managing flooding for all modelled rainfall and infiltration scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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27 pages, 13027 KiB  
Article
Protecting Coastlines from Flooding in a Changing Climate: A Preliminary Experimental Study to Investigate a Sustainable Approach
by Matteo Rubinato, Jacob Heyworth and James Hart
Water 2020, 12(9), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092471 - 3 Sep 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5763
Abstract
Rising sea levels are causing more frequent flooding events in coastal areas and generate many issues for coastal communities such as loss of property or damages to infrastructures. To address this issue, this paper reviews measures currently in place and identifies possible control [...] Read more.
Rising sea levels are causing more frequent flooding events in coastal areas and generate many issues for coastal communities such as loss of property or damages to infrastructures. To address this issue, this paper reviews measures currently in place and identifies possible control measures that can be implemented to aid preservation of coastlines in the future. Breakwaters present a unique opportunity to proactively address the impact of coastal flooding. However, there is currently a lack of research into combined hard and soft engineering techniques. To address the global need for developing sustainable solutions, three specific breakwater configurations were designed and experimentally compared in the hydraulic laboratory at Coventry University to assess their performance in reducing overtopping and the impact of waves, quantifying the effectiveness of each. The investigation confirmed that stepped configurations work effectively in high amplitudes waves, especially with the presence of a slope angle to aid wave reflection. These results provide a very valuable preliminary investigation into novel sustainable solutions incorporating both artificial and natural based strategies that could be considered by local and national authorities for the planning of future mitigation strategies to defend coastal areas from flooding and erosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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16 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
The Groundwater Demand for Industrial Uses in Areas with Access to Drinking Publicly-Supplied Water: A Microdata Analysis
by Pilar Gracia-de-Rentería, Ramón Barberán and Jesús Mur
Water 2020, 12(1), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010198 - 10 Jan 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3412
Abstract
This study examines, from an economic perspective, the factors influencing the decision of companies to use groundwater or not, in a context in which they have access to drinking publicly-supplied water and can also opt for self-supplying groundwater, and then estimates its groundwater [...] Read more.
This study examines, from an economic perspective, the factors influencing the decision of companies to use groundwater or not, in a context in which they have access to drinking publicly-supplied water and can also opt for self-supplying groundwater, and then estimates its groundwater demand. The Heckman two-stage model is applied, using microdata of a sample of 2579 manufacturing and service companies located in Zaragoza (Spain). The results of the first stage show that companies have economically rational behavior in the choice of their water supply sources: the probability to capture groundwater depends negatively on its cost and positively on the cost of publicly-supplied water. The results of the second stage indicate that the demand for self-supplied groundwater is normal, but inelastic (elasticity of −0.50), and that self-supplied and publicly-supplied water are substitutive inputs, where the cross-elasticity of the demand is much higher than the direct elasticity. These results warn of the undesirable consequences, on overall efficiency and environmental sustainability, of the lack of a volumetric fee that charges companies with the environmental and resource costs caused by the extraction of groundwater and emphasize the need for integrated management of all water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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21 pages, 4438 KiB  
Article
Effect of Frequency of Multi-Source Water Supply on Regional Guarantee Rate of Water Use
by Shanghong Zhang, Jiasheng Yang, Zan Xu and Cheng Zhang
Water 2019, 11(7), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11071356 - 29 Jun 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3499
Abstract
Multi-source, combined water supply models play an increasingly important role in solving regional water supply problems. At present, in the area of regional water supply, models are mainly used to study the problem of overall water guarantee rate, and do not take into [...] Read more.
Multi-source, combined water supply models play an increasingly important role in solving regional water supply problems. At present, in the area of regional water supply, models are mainly used to study the problem of overall water guarantee rate, and do not take into account the impact of the uncertainty of multi-source water supplies on water supply risk. There is also a lack of research on how changes in multi-source water supplies affect sub-region and sub-user water guarantee rates. To address this knowledge gap, the encounter probability of different frequencies and a refined water resources allocation model of multi-source supplies were used. Using Tianjin as an example, this paper studies the quantitative relationship between the uncertainty of multi-source water inflows and the regional guarantee rate of water use. The objectives of the study are to analyze the changing trend of the water shortage rate and the main body of water supply in each region, and to quantitatively describe the influence of the variation of multi-source water supply on the main body of water supply for users. The results show that under the same requirement of guarantee rate for water use, as the number of water diversion sources increase, the probability of water supply meeting the water use rate increases significantly, and the risk to water supplies decreases. At the same time, suburban areas have a low dependence on external water supplies, while the change in the quantity of external water sources has a great impact on the water supply of the Zhongxinchengqu and Binhaixiqnu areas. The distribution and main body of water supply will change for different water users. Therefore, it is important to ensure a stable supply of external water for maintaining the guarantee rate of regional water use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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16 pages, 3612 KiB  
Article
Water Quality Control Options in Response to Catchment Urbanization: A Scenario Analysis by SWAT
by Hong Hanh Nguyen, Friedrich Recknagel and Wayne Meyer
Water 2018, 10(12), 1846; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10121846 - 13 Dec 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4749
Abstract
Urbanization poses a challenge to sustainable catchment management worldwide. This study compares streamflows and nutrient loads in the urbanized Torrens catchment in South Australia at present and future urbanization levels, and addresses possible mitigation of urbanization effects by means of the control measures: [...] Read more.
Urbanization poses a challenge to sustainable catchment management worldwide. This study compares streamflows and nutrient loads in the urbanized Torrens catchment in South Australia at present and future urbanization levels, and addresses possible mitigation of urbanization effects by means of the control measures: river bank stabilization, buffer strip expansion, and wetland construction. A scenario analysis by means of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) based on the anticipated urban population density growth in the Torrens catchment over the next 30 years predicted a remarkable increase of streamflow and Total Phosphorous loads but decreased Total Nitrogen loads. In contrast, minor changes of model outputs were predicted under the present urbanization scenario, i.e. urban area expansion on the grassland. Scenarios of three feasible control measures demonstrated best results for expanding buffer zone to sustain stream water quality. The construction of wetlands along the Torrens River resulted in the reduction of catchment runoff, but only slight decreases in TN and TP loads. Overall, the results of this study suggested that combining the three best management practices by the adaptive development of buffer zones, wetlands and stabilized river banks might help to control efficiently the increased run-off and TP loads by the projected urbanization of the River Torrens catchment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Urban Water Resources)
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