Integrating WDM mechanisms for reducing and managing domestic water usage

Abstract

This study disseminates an extensive investigation into the effective implementation of the WDM mechanisms of price, water saving technologies, communication/education and water restriction to produce greater water demand reduction. There are three main parts to the study. First is the analysis of the effect of the mechanisms on water demand reduction, and the determination of the type of interrelationship that exists between the mechanisms and its significance. Based on the first part, it was found that the WDM mechanisms need to be integrated in order to maximise water demand reduction. Furthermore, there exists interrelationship between the mechanisms which can affect the effectiveness of the mechanisms in reducing water demand. The second part of the study is the analysis of the effect of household income, water end use and property type on the effectiveness of the mechanisms in reducing domestic water demand. For this, an 8-year WDM program was designed for the city of Kuala Lumpur. It was found that the usage of price, technologies and communication/education can reduce domestic water demand of Kuala Lumpur by 18%. The findings from this part also showed that the effectiveness of the mechanisms in reducing domestic water demand depends greatly on the factors of household income, end use and property type. The third part of the study is the model development of integrated implementation of the mechanisms, which was based on the findings from the first two parts of the study. In order to conduct an effective WDM program, the developed model needs to be applied in a 3-steps cycle process. The first step involved the collection and evaluation of the water demand profile of the area (i.e. end use across income levels and property types). The second step involved the design of the program through selecting the type of mechanisms to be used and the way it will be implemented, focusing on the attributes and interrelationship of the mechanisms. And the final step involved the implementation of the mechanisms. It is expected that this study can assist in effectively integrating the mechanisms of price, technologies, communication/education and restriction, which will lead to a more sustainable water consumption.