Post by account_disabled on Mar 13, 2024 21:30:09 GMT 12
Those of industrial production (reclaimed water and desalination). The only way to address these problems is through a comprehensive resource management system that includes the efficient management of the different sources of available resources, the optimal treatment of wastewater and the preservation of the environment. The advantage of desalination and reclamation derives from its ability to provide a secure water supply in regions where conventional water resources are limited, reducing pressure on overexploited water bodies, without limiting opportunities for economic growth and development. However, the water security that these alternative sources can provide must be accompanied by financial sustainability and energy sustainability. Financial sustainability of both the services provided and the activities supported with these resources. The production cost of these resources (especially in the case of desalination) is very high. The production strategy at an optimal scale, the integration with other sources and the distribution of costs among all the agents involved, with elements that are present for the necessary financial sustainability that helps achieve water security and allows security remains a pending issue.
We have improved a lot in recent years, but the current model developed in Europe in recent decades has become obsolete and does not respond to significant problems of discharges and their impact on the environment. There are important gaps not considered until now, such as the pollutants of emerging attention (load related to pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, mainly), the runoff caused by rainwater in urban areas and the pollutants it carries, the high energy consumption of plants of treatment, etc. To face this quality CZ Leads challenge, there are important changes in the treatment of certain substances now not considered (micropollutants), the extension of legal requirements to small nuclei now exempt (less than 2,000 inhabitants), management of rainwater, reduction in energy use, etc. Very ambitious measures that will mean (according to the European Commission) a saving of 3,000 million euros annually from 2040, and that will guarantee the good quality of European water bodies. This integrated management must be accompanied by efficient management, improved governance, and the decision-making process . Due to the scarcity situation, economic activities and the use of “boca” have addressed the problem by reducing water input, but without reducing production or services.
This has been possible with greater productivity and efficiency in the use of water, allowing economic growth and increased well-being of society, despite water scarcity. Scarcity caused by the limitation of access to these resources in a sustainable way for the majority of the population and vulnerable activities. Desalination is energy intensive, so it requires access to a reliable and affordable source of energy, which can be a significant challenge in areas where water and energy scarcity go hand in hand. The pillar of quality in water conventional water resources. But also, new challenges arise to address improvements in processes and management. The governance system must be dynamic and adapt to changing circumstances. All of this implies an increase in the cost of water services that will necessarily translate into changes in prices. The financial issue will be one of the great challenges that we must face. It is essential to adopt more dynamic financing mechanisms that go beyond the exclusive budgetary resource and allow formulas for public-private collaboration. Water security is a challenge that requires coordinated actions. Through integrated management, the implementation of an adaptive strategy to address climate change and the design of an efficient governance system, it is possible to achieve water security for present and future generations.