Work

Enhancing water efficiency: Distribution efficiency and consumption synergies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Recast Drinking Water Directive (Dir. (EU) 2020/2184) aims to set a 15 % target limit for urban network losses. Research in this field is crucial for the advancement of EU policy directives aimed towards augmenting water efficiency and conservation in a context of increasing water scarcity. This paper examines the synergies between leakage reduction and water demand policies (water pricing vs. social awareness). In order to estimate the impact of such policies on the achieved water savings, a simple model is presented and applied to the case study of the city of Seville in southern Spain. This case represents an interesting example of continuous efforts towards reducing urban water abstraction in the last three decades. The results offer useful insights into the effectiveness of various policy strategies on the overall water-saving achievements in a context of increasing water scarcity and cyclical drought episodes.

Source: Water Resources and Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.wre.2025.100260

Authors: Esther Díaz-Cano, Julio Berbel, Nazaret M. Montilla-López, Alfonso Expósito

Institutions: University of Córdoba, Universidad de Málaga

Language: English

Topic: Water resources management and optimization

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,798