ICT for Smart Water Systems: Measurements and Data Science by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030619732
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

2 ICTs and Water Management in Developing Countries

Fresh and adequate water resources are crucial for achieving sustainable development. However, water systems around the world are expected to be stressed by societal challenges such as climate change and its effects (e.g. flooding and droughts), rapid human population growth and urbanisation [16, 17]. These phenomena will have negative effects on the quality and quantity of water resources, the capacity of water infrastructure and the cost of water services, therefore threatening water security, particularly in developing countries [2, 3]. Water security problems in developing countries are further exacerbated by current inefficient and unsustainable water management practices, as evidenced by high water loss rates (in terms of non-revenue water [NRW])1 observed in most water service providers and situations of over-exploitation of water resources which cause physical water scarcity in many countries.

Ineffective management of water systems stems also from the unreliability of conventional approaches, due to the increasing complexity of water problems. For example, extreme weather variability due to climate change has rendered reliance on historical hydrologic weather patterns for predicting future variables impracticable; traditional water data and information gathering and transmission mechanisms are no longer (cost) effective; and with increasing concerns about good governance in the water sector around the world – particularly in developing countries – traditional top-down management approaches are no longer preferred. Thus, efficient water management is more needed today than ever, and there is growing consensus on the need to rethink the overall management of water resources.

Over the past decades, the potential of ICTs to improve water management in developing countries has been demonstrated, notably through implementation of the smart water systems concept. Smart water systems use ICT applications at all levels of the water cycle to maximise efficiency of water management, thus promoting water security. Table 1 displays the main areas of water management where ICTs can bring about improvements in developing countries, with examples of ICT applications that are relevant for the water sector and associated benefits.Table 1Key areas of ICT in water management and ICT tools

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.