|  New
Water Infrastructure
The "new water infrastructure" refers to
an expanded definition of urban water infrastructure -- one that
goes beyond the existing physical infrastructure of water pipes,
pumps and reservoirs. This new infrastructure includes
innovative decentralized technologies such as low-flow fixtures
and rainwater harvesting and lasting local programs that inspire
behavioural change. Most importantly, it relies on building and
maintaining “social infrastructure”—the planning
processes and specific programs needed to liberate the full potential
of water efficiency and conservation. In other words, the New Water
Infrastructure refers to the specific tools needed to move toward
sustainable water management.
In October 2006, we published Thinking
Beyond Pipes and Pumps, a handbook that integrates leading
thinking on water conservation and sustainable water management.
This practical resource is designed for community leaders, water
managers and policy makers and urges communities to think “beyond
the pipes and pumps” and to embrace new ways of managing water
that offer opportunities for big savings, of both water and money.
A central part of Thinking Beyond
is the POLIS Top 10 -- our recommendations
for the top 10 ways communities can save water and money. See sidebar
on this page.
From research to action
Op-Ed on Conservation - See the opinion piece by Oliver M Brandes in the Times Colonist Sept 7, 2007. Conservation, innovation best sources of 'new' water
Oliver M Brandes presented Thinking Beyond Pipes & Pumps for a "webinar" hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on Sept 26, 2007. Listen to audio podcast and view PDFs of the webinar presentations. An earlier version of the presentation was given at the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) Annual meeting in June 2007.
"A new view of water Security: Thinking Beyond Pipes and Pumps," by Oliver M Brandes, Tony Maas and Ellen
Reynolds. Municipal
World, March 2007.
“It’s not just clean air we need, Minister
Ambrose,” by Oliver M Brandes, The
Expert’s Opinion, CBC Alberta water web site Blueprint
Alberta: H2O. This opinion piece also appeared in a number of newspapers
across Canada in October 2006.
Oliver M Brandes is an active member of Victoria's
Capital
Regional District (CRD) Water Advisory Committee working within
the committee to promote sustainable water management. He recently co-authored (with Brian Titus) "Outdoor Water Conservation: Options and Opportunities for 'New' Water for the CRD" a WAC Report for the CRD Regional Water Supply Commission.
Additional resources
BCWWA
- Waterbucket.ca
California
Reuse and Recycling
- Purple Pipes
California
Urban Water Conservation Council
Canadian
Water and Waste Water Association (CWWA)
Canadian
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Community
Based Social Marketing - Doug McKenzie-Mohr
InfraGuide:
National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure - Canada
Water
Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) - Australia
Waterwiser
(AWWA)
Xeriscaping
- Colorado Water Wise Council
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8.
Make managing demand part of daily business
4.
Look to the sky