Global Water Conservation: Country-Specific Pollution-Lowering Strategies

Water pollution is a pressing issue worldwide, with surface water from freshwater sources being particularly vulnerable to contamination. This includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and seas, which are inundated with chemicals, waste, plastics, and other pollutants. While water pollution is a universal challenge, the specific causes and impacts vary across countries. Some common contributors to water pollution include agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, municipal waste, and climate change. Countries are employing a range of strategies to combat this issue, including improving water governance, incentivizing water efficiency, adopting integrated water resource management, and investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure. Additionally, international collaboration and financial support are crucial for addressing water pollution, especially in developing nations.

Investing in wastewater treatment

Wastewater treatment plants can be repurposed as water resource recovery facilities, generating clean water, energy, nutrients, and other resources. For example, the operator of the La Farfana wastewater treatment plant in Santiago, Chile, invested US$2.7 million to retrofit the plant and subsequently sold biogas, resulting in an annual net profit of US$1 million. Similarly, the Brazil-based CAESB water and wastewater utility's use of biosolids for corn production led to higher-than-average grain yields and was 21% more efficient than mineral fertilisers.

By treating and reusing wastewater, new water sources can be created for cities, which is especially important in water-stressed countries. For instance, Qatar, which faces water scarcity, has invested in technology to create sustainable water solutions. Their largest water treatment facility west of Doha employs multiple stages of biological treatment filtration and high-pressure sanitisation to treat sewage, making it suitable for agriculture and other non-potable uses.

In addition to environmental and health benefits, wastewater treatment can bring economic advantages through reuse in different sectors. The by-products of wastewater treatment, such as nutrients and biogas, can be utilised for agriculture and energy generation, reducing operational and maintenance costs for water utilities. According to Water.org, universal access to basic water and sanitation would result in over €17 billion in economic benefits from fewer deaths alone. Every $1 invested in water and sanitation provides a $4 economic return, including lower health costs, higher productivity, and fewer premature deaths.

Furthermore, investment in water-use efficiency has helped reduce water consumption in high-income countries. However, it is important to note that water dependencies extend beyond national boundaries, and the embedded water in international trade can contribute to rising water stress in lower-income countries. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise water-prudent energy sources, develop urban water resilience plans, and promote access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, especially in developing countries, to reduce water pollution and improve public health.

Improving water governance

Investment in Water Infrastructure and Governance

According to the World Resources Institute, countries facing extremely high water stress can improve their situation through better water governance and investment in water infrastructure. International development banks can play a role by offering strategic debt relief programs, such as debt-for-nature swaps, in exchange for a commitment to invest in biodiversity and resilient infrastructure. This can include the protection and restoration of natural resources like wetlands, mangroves, and forests, which not only improve water quality but also build resilience against droughts and floods.

Collaboration and Innovation

The World Bank Group emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in solving water challenges. They encourage private sector participation, drive regulatory reforms, and reduce investment risk through technical assistance. However, the water sector has been slow to adopt new technologies, with less than 10% of water utilities in low- and middle-income countries utilizing tools like artificial intelligence and big data analytics. To accelerate progress, policies and incentives that encourage innovation and investment in new solutions are necessary, along with continuous learning for water professionals to keep up with emerging technologies.

Sustainable Development and Cross-Sectoral Policies

Governments play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and improving water governance. This involves forming coherent cross-sectoral policies that integrate considerations related to the environment, agriculture, energy, economy, trade, foreign affairs, and development cooperation. For example, agricultural policies should be aligned with goals for water resources protection, and governments can engage with businesses to encourage resource efficiency and transparency in water use.

Water Footprint Management

Governments can work towards managing their water footprint by setting maximum sustainable limits for water consumption and water pollution in river basins and aquifers. This ensures a balance between human and natural water needs. Extending water use statistics beyond traditional national water use accounts can provide a more comprehensive understanding of water resources and external water dependencies. This, in turn, can inform the formulation of integrated water resources management plans and policies, improving water governance and contributing to sustainable development.

Access to Safe Water and Sanitation

Access to safe water and adequate sanitation is a fundamental aspect of improving water governance. The United Nations and organizations like WaterAid are working towards this goal, particularly in developing countries. Initiatives such as the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program in Egypt, supported by the World Bank, have improved sanitation services for over a million people. Additionally, the 'Water for Life' International Decade for Action (2005-2015) helped around 1.3 billion people in developing countries gain access to safe drinking water, driving progress on sanitation and contributing to the Millennium Development Goals.

Incentivising water efficiency in agriculture

Agriculture is a major source of water pollution in many countries. In the US, it is the main source of pollution in rivers and streams, and the second-largest source in wetlands. In China, agriculture is responsible for a large share of surface-water pollution and is almost exclusively responsible for groundwater pollution by nitrogen. In the EU, 38% of water bodies are under pressure from agricultural pollution.

One way to incentivise water efficiency is through legislation and government programs. In California, the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7) requires agricultural water suppliers serving more than 25,000 irrigated acres to adopt and submit Agricultural Water Management Plans (AWMPs) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). These plans must include reports on the implementation of specific Efficient Water Management Practices (EWMPs). As of August 10, 2015, out of the 54 water suppliers required to submit AWMPs, 44 had submitted and addressed the requirements, 6 had not submitted, and 4 were in progress or under review.

Another strategy is to demonstrate the economic benefits of improved water efficiency to farmers. In the Great Lakes region, a joint program between Canada and the US to improve water quality saw success in the agricultural sector due to a high degree of public participation and education. By demonstrating to farmers that changing land management practices could lead to economic gains, the program achieved significant improvements in water quality over the past decade.

Additionally, sustainable agriculture planning must consider the larger context of sustainable economic development. Lending institutions, for example, are concerned with the cost of remediation relative to economic gains, and if the former exceeds the latter, projects may no longer be considered creditworthy. Therefore, sustainable agriculture practices must factor in the economic benefits of improved water efficiency, alongside the environmental and health impacts.

Protecting and restoring wetlands, mangroves and forests

Protecting and restoring wetlands, mangroves, and forests is an effective way to lower water pollution and improve water quality. These ecosystems are natural buffers against droughts and floods and can save countries money on water treatment costs.

Wetlands, such as mangroves and marshes, are vital ecosystems that support a diverse range of species. Mangrove forests, in particular, are highly effective carbon sinks, trapping and storing carbon in their soils for millennia. This helps to mitigate climate change by preventing the release of carbon into the atmosphere. Mangrove root systems also filter nitrates, phosphates, and other pollutants from the water, improving water quality. The roots of mangrove trees stabilize coastal soils, reducing erosion and providing flood protection for communities. They also act as storm buffers, absorbing storm surges and protecting shorelines from the full impact of waves.

Despite their importance, mangroves are some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth due to human impacts such as dredging, filling, water pollution, and coastal development. It is crucial for countries to prioritize the protection and restoration of these vital ecosystems. This can be achieved through strategic debt relief programs, such as debt-for-nature swaps or debt relief in exchange for a commitment to invest in biodiversity and resilient infrastructure.

Forests also play a crucial role in lowering water pollution and improving water quality. They act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants and preventing them from entering water sources. Additionally, forests contribute to the replenishment of groundwater sources by promoting healthy soil conditions that allow for the infiltration of rainwater. Protecting and restoring forests can help to ensure the sustainable provision of clean water, supporting both human and ecological needs.

Raising finance through revenue-raising and cost recovery arrangements

The development of wastewater treatment systems is essential for less-developed countries to enhance health and environmental benefits, and to raise the priority of water pollution control schemes. Israel, for example, has adopted an approach that stresses the reclamation of irrigation water from treatment plants. This method not only improves health and environmental conditions but also generates revenue by producing water, animal protein, and excess methane (biogas). The revenue generated from these recoverable items can offset a significant portion of the costs associated with wastewater treatment.

In addition to national government funding, partnerships with development finance institutions can help mobilise investments and sustainably manage water projects. Governments can utilise water data to estimate externalities and hold polluters accountable, which is critical for sustainable water management. To attract funding from institutional investors, water projects can be diversified across sectors and countries, reducing risks and increasing investment potential.

To improve cost recovery and enable continuous maintenance and investments, utilities and governments must effectively manage water demand. This includes considering decentralised water treatment and sanitation systems as a complement to centralised utilities, especially in low-income countries. Affordable, off-grid water treatment solutions, such as low-cost point-of-use chlorination, can significantly reduce water pollution and improve access to clean water.

While capital investment in new water infrastructure is important, it is also crucial to prioritise operations and maintenance costs for basic water and sanitation (WASH) services. The World Bank estimates that these costs will increase significantly by 2030, and available funding often falls short of covering operating costs, especially in low-income settings. Therefore, it is essential to explore additional revenue streams, such as tariffs, to bridge the gap between life cycle costs and associated revenues in the water services industry.

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