Multiple water sources & water- smart society for emerging markets
Abstract:
Water is a valuable resource and key-component of national economy development. It affects directly or indirectly 78% of global jobs, accounts for up to 59% of total resource use in industry in developed countries, strongly affecting average annual per capita GDP growth. Each USD invested in water infrastructure brings 3-34 USD of benefits, depending on region and technologies. Water crisis in the group of risks with highest likelihood and impact. Nearly half the global population are already living in potential water scarce areas at least one month per year and this trend is growing. Income growth in emerging markets will be strongly associated with water consumption because of water demand in food production and sanitation. Due to income growth, diet preferences will also change to higher water intensive commodities. Improved living standards are set to change the use of water for lifestyle purposes, affecting energy industry, resulting in water-food-energy nexus. The core challenge water industry faces in emerging markets is balancing economic mechanisms with the intrinsic value of water as a common good that requires new solutions and involvement of multiple stakeholders along the value chain to decision making. In the present conditions of emerging markets, it will be necessary to reduce the growing stress on natural water sources. There will be a need to gradually make multiple alternative water sources available to complement current abstraction from ground and surface waters. This will rise the need in rainwater harvesting solutions, efficient desalination, reuse of wastewater, covering water management strategies, technological and infrastructure development.
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Organizations
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway