Around the world cities are creating dramatic water savings with water metres, pressure management, groundwater conservation and more. But is it enough?
From fixing leaks in Johannesburg, to topping up groundwater in Salisbury, to flushing toilets with seawater in Hong Kong, municipalities around the world are working to save water and make their distribution systems more efficient.
The need for action to secure future water supplies is clear enough.
“The issue of water is paramount, and the pressure on cities is increasing,” says Seth Schultz, director of research of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a global network of cities taking action to reduce carbon emissions and climate risks.
Among other things, he cites a recent C40 survey of major cities around the world in which 65% of these municipalities are expecting “substantive risks” to their water supplies. These risks include water scarcity, declining water quality, flooding and an inadequate or ageing water infrastructure.