W A T E R

The Urban Context of Water Use

AUTHOR:LesleyMbangu ResearchandWritingIntern@ RDJ Consulting

Courtesy:www.aa.com.tr

There are constant discussions of the rural – urban migration phenomena But frankly, what is really urban and why is water use in such an environment of concern or even importance?

Characterised by modern infrastructures, improved technology and organized service systems, the hallmarks of what constitutes as ‘urban’ far underwhelm the economic emancipation one migrates from the quiet, livestock farming of the small rural settlements to the noisy, densely populated, clustered settlements often found in the townships of the suburbs for

Why are urban areas important?

Generally urban areas are considered to be the centre for political, social and economic decision-making, due to the presence of important government, municipal, political etc facilities and play an important role in shaping economic, civil and social dynamics both national and internationally With the World Bank estimating more than half of the global population residing in urban areas, it stands to reason that the increased urban population puts a strain on municipal service delivery. Several cities around the world have reported water constraints varying from limited supply, increased costs, poor sanitation and an overall scarcity of water, leading to experts calling it a water crisis Given the crucial role water plays in the social, commercial and industrial structures of urban society, its paramount we explore the urban context of water use, the economic impact of water supply shortages and explore mechanisms that offer solutions to the common water supply challenges plagued by urban areas around the world

Water use across various sectors

Common uses for water in urban areas pivot around residential, commercial and industrial consumption and utilization.

Residential families commonly utilize water for indoor and outdoor purposes, ranging from household chores, personal care rituals, culinary activities to gardening (vegetable and flowering etc ) and washing of cars amongst other things. These activities are essential for the day-to-day maintenance of a household and their water demands vary depending on family size, geographical location, time and water tariffs The average daily water consumption by a United States citizen was approximated to be around 337 litters per person a day in 2010, and has stayed relatively the same at an approximately 341 litters in 2021 In South Africa, this number is reported to range just above 230 litter.

Commercial water consumption includes canteen use, public convince, leisure offerings such as pool parks etc The commercial use of water within this sector is significantly higher than residential homesteads and the structure of businesses range from micro operators such as street food vendors to relatively large hotel chain establishments. Water consumption in this realm often manifests as a cost for businesses rather than private purposes

Some industries consume more water than others, those within the commercial food and beverage as well as infrastructure productions consume relatively more water than service operating industries. Where water enables the production of a good or service.

The impact of the water crisis in cities

The residents of Johannesburg spend days without running water, and often have to rely on the municipal water trucks deployed to manually supply water around the neighbourhoods With complaints of limited drinking water, inhibited household maintenance and exposure to diseases borne out of the lack of consistent water supply, water leaks as a result of aging infrastructure, shrunk reservoirs due to draught and climate change, as well as the recurring electrical power outages (load shedding) that aid the water pumping station(s), consequently hinderpersonal,socialandeconomicdevelopments

However,noneisascomparableastheconditionscreated bythelocalpoliticalclasswithinthecommunitiesof Nairobi, where the water shortages reached extreme highs, it led to the creation of a black-market for water services, most affecting the poor. With dirty borehole water being sold to residents and often not fit for either humannorplantconsumption.

The economic impact of the state of water shortages present risks to individuals, important services such as health care and underpin the social wellbeing of local residents

Howdowebesttacklethechallenges aroundwatersupply?

Water is fast becoming a scarce resource, and with the urban population of some 56% - 4 4 billion in 2023 expected to double by 2050, mechanisms aught to be put in place to prevent the shortcomings presented by the unsustainablelinearmodelofwaterconsumption

The World Bank offers an integrated circular strategy that captures the full value of water through the World Bank’s GlobalWaterPracticedesignedtopreservewatersources, improve supply infrastructure and offer sustainable & inclusive services with its Water in Circular Economy and ResilienceFramework

Readings: http://pubs usgs gov/circ/1405/ https://www neefusa org/story/water/home-water-use-unitedstates https://www rainbowtanks co za/water-usage/ https://www youtube com/watch?v= jVZhMQkTtU https://www youtube com/watch?v=5Wz1j5fcRXY https://www worldbank org/en/topic/water/publication/wicer