SUSTAINABLE

WATER USE
 Sustainable Water
• Sustainable water means a nation that can
be water self-sufficient: ensuring there is
enough water to meet multiple needs, from
agriculture to municipal and industrial.
• Sustainable water management means
the ability to meet the water needs of the
present without compromising the ability of
future generations to do the same.
 Sustainability of different
Water Sources
Surface Water
• Dams can provide a sustainable water
supply as the structures can be used for
power generation, irrigation, flood prevention,
water diversion and navigation.
• Negative environmental impacts on wildlife
habitats, fish migration, water flow and quality
and socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, a
sustainability impact assessment should be
performed.
 Sustainability of different
Water Sources
Groundwater
• Groundwater accounts for more than 50 per
cent of global freshwater and is critical for
potable water.
• Groundwater can be a sustainable supply of
water only if the amount of water entering,
leaving and being stored in the system is
conserved.
 Sustainability of different
Water Sources
Desalination
• In some nations lacking freshwater,
desalination has provided an adequate water
supply for many years.
• Higher energy demands from both thermal
and membrane-based compared to
groundwater and surface water treatment
have challenged the adaption of desalination
as a sustainable one.
 Sustainability of different
Water Sources
Reclaimed Water
• Reclaimed water, or water reuse as it’s
known, can also be a sustainable source for
water supply and can alleviate stress on
primary water resources, such as surface and
groundwater.
• Reclaimed water must be treated to provide
an appropriate quality, for example for
irrigation or industry use. The level of water
reuse varies globally.
 Water in Industry
• Rainwater harvesting on-site (including the
creation of large pond-like structures), as well
as recycling water in industrial processes,
can provide a sustainable water supply for
industry without straining municipal water
supplies.
• Industry thus has a dual responsibility for
internal sustainable water supply and the
protection of external water supply sources.
 Water in Agriculture
• Agriculture uses the largest amount of freshwater
on a global scale. It represents roughly 70% of all
water withdrawal worldwide, with various regional
differences.
• Techniques for sustainable water supply in
agriculture include organic farming practices which
limit substances that would contaminate water,
efficient water delivery, micro-irrigation systems,
adapted water lifting technologies, zero
tillage, rainwater harvesting, runoff farming, and
drip irrigation.
 Domestic Water Uses
• Reducing water use through waterless toilets,
water efficient appliances, and water quantity
monitoring, is an important part of sustainability for
domestic water supply. .
• Efficient piping systems that are leak-free and well
insulated provide a network that is reliable and
help to limit water waste.
• Since water quality standards are not as strict for
household uses as for drinking, there is more
flexibility when considering sustainable
domestic water supply.
 Water in Cities
• Sustainable sanitation which may include
separate collection of wastewater from
households and industry to promote reuse,
treatment of wastewater.
• Integrated urban water management (IUWM)
systems, bringing together water supply,
sanitation, and storm water and wastewater
management and integrates these with land
use planning and economic development.
 Water in Ecosystem
• Natural ecosystems have intricate and resilient
mechanisms that filter and replenish freshwater
resources and sustain marine environments.
• An 'ecosystem approach' recognizes and
ascribes value, including economic value, to the
'services' natural ecosystems provide in terms of
water filtration and purification, and ensures their
sustainability, through modern management .
Streamflow Management
System - DPWH
 Streamflow Management
System - DPWH
National Hydrologic Data Collection Program (NHDCP)
• Intends to collect process and manage
streamflow data sets for flood control design,
water allocation, and water resources planning.
• BOD-WPD will lead the collection, management,
evaluation and processing of streamflow data.
The mean discharges from the processed
streamflow data will be published to a platform
available to users and various stakeholders.
 Aspects of Streamflow
Management
Flood Control Management
• The historical data sets are vital to the design of flood
control infrastructures and other structures that
mitigate risks from water-related hazards.
Resource Regulation
• The generated water level and discharge is the basis
for allocation of water uses for hydropower, irrigation
and domestic water supply by the National Water
Resources Board (NWRB).
Water Resource Planning
• A robust national streamflow data is crucial to the
preparation of water resources development plans,
local disaster risk profiling of communities, and
community flood mitigation planning.
 Conclusion
• A water supply system will be sustainable only if
it promotes efficiencies in both the supply and
the demand sides. Initiatives to meet demand
for water supply will be sustainable if they
prioritize measures to avoid water waste.
Avoiding wastage will contribute to reducing
water consumption and, consequently, to
delaying the need for new resources.