Water Demand Management: A Strategic Approach towards a Sustainable Urban Water System in Hanoi

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and population growth, coupled with climate change, have created major challenges on urban planners and water professionals in Hanoi City to find out effective measures to sustain the growing water demand of the city. This study investigates the recent trends in residential water use, as well as the principal factors and challenges that affect the water demand of the city. A series of micro-component surveys have been conducted for a better understanding of water usage, and potential of water saving and demand management at household levels. Consequently, a range of effective water demand management (WDM) interventions, including water metering, reduction of water loss, promotion of using water-wise appliances, reforming water tariff structure to promote responsible uses, and utilization of rainwater, have been proposed as strategic approaches towards a sustainable urban water use system for the city in the future. Prospects and constraints likely to be faced while implementing these WDM interventions are also discussed in this paper.