Understanding integrated urban water management as an ideology, method and objective

Abstract

The authors have sought to test the hypothesis that industry perceptions of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) include elements pertaining to an ideology, method and set of objectives. In order to assess this, a survey was conducted that received responses from 34 industry experts. Survey responses show a wide variety of perspectives on IUWM, ranging from specific processes to broad, all-encompassing and vague descriptions. According to the results the specific methods most commonly associated with IUWM are: stakeholder engagement; coordinated planning; holistic option assessment; and integrated modelling. The objectives most commonly associated with IUWM are: diversification of water sources; environmental improvements; reduced cost; and improved liveability outcomes. Preliminary examination of the current state of these methods and objectives has shown that, so far, not all of the methods result in achievement of these objectives. We propose that the water sector re-evaluate its perception of IUWM, mentally separating its meaning into an ideology, objectives and a variety of methods that can then be independently scrutinised. The value of IUWM appears to be in promoting communication between organisations and wellstructured stakeholder engagement, rather than large-scale and highly detailed “integrated” plans or complex option assessment methods.