Growing Water Supply Needs of a Rapidly Developing City such as Melbourne - Research Proposal Example

How does Melbourne Water play a role in addressing the growing water supply needs of a rapidly developing city such as Melbourne? Name Unit Date Introduction Case Background Melbourne water is a statutory body that is fully government owned. The body controls most of the water resources in Australia, Victoria and Melbourne. The body is involved with day to day water management by looking at the catchments through treating, supplying and recycling water. The body is also involved in managing waterways most of sewerage systems in Melbourne and drainage system. Melbourne has thrived as cosmopolitan cities that have experienced great expansion over the last decades (Melbourne Water, 2014). Problem statement The numbers of people in the city have increased as compared to the past which have led to demand of more services. Among the most important services that are required is water. Melbourne water has the mandate to supply water to the Melbourne city among other major towns. The major problem that is faced by Melbourne water is accomplishing their role of supplying water despite the challenges (Melbourne Water, 2014). Aim/purpose The purpose of this case study is to look at the role played by Melbourne water in addressing the growing supply needs of a rapidly developing city such as Melbourne. Analysis of major issues Major issues and context Water shortage in major cities is a major issue through the world. For example, united states have faced a state of uncertainty in providing water in major cities. Water supply in the country has been reported as inadequate (Matt, 2013). This is a matter in major cities in the world where there have been depletion of major water sources. This has been a major case in the urban Australia. Recent reports have shown that the water levels in major catchments are not sustainable environmentally. The main worry in Australia water is scarcity. The scarcity is not only on the available water but also on the water catchment areas in the country. The water infrastructure and convenient supply have also been a problem in the country. To fully sustain Melbourne city in 20 years to come, the extra amount that is required will be 135 to 215 GL. Melbourne water have to provide water to Australia major cities despite the increasing population and scarcity of water. This has been the main issues that have prompted the water authority to take action to ensure there is enough water in the cities (Melbourne Water, 2014). The effects of pollution have led to dredging leading to large expenses being incurred. This has been the case in the major rivers in Australia. The costs that are incurred in the process are also transferred into water bills making it more expensive. There have also been issues with severe water restriction in the cities during drought and dry season. This has made the public to endure hard times as they try to cope with these situations (Wayne, 2014). Analysis Contributing factors Water scarcity is brought about by droughts and poor management. For example, Murray Darling is one of the Australian largest basins which provide water to the cities. The longest river in Australia has been facing shortage of water compared to the previous decades. Water has been reducing each and every year. The previous drought which lasted for seven years left a huge scar in the national water management. Australia is also very dry and experiences unreliable rainfall yearly depending on the location. This has led to large rainfall variability in the country. This has presented Melbourne water with a large problem in making sure there is continuous water in the country. The effects the global warming have also been felt in the country. For example in the previous century, the country has experienced more than nine droughts. This problem has led to varying water levels in the country (The Economist, 2014). Another problem faced by Melbourne water is increasing water demand in the homes. For example, it’s estimated that the average water consumption in the country is more than 24,000GL of fresh water. The water that is consumed in the homes and industries has also increased (Fisher, 2007). There have also been fewer regulations in the cities regarding water use. There have been poor restrictions especially on water for home use. This has led to huge water consumption which could have been saved. In some cases, water restrictions have been issued too late leading to more wastage. For example, water restrictions during 2006 accounted for 28 cities out of 32 major cities. Melbourne water has to provide water to the world largest consumer. Australia has been the largest water consumer in the world. The estimates have shown that a household that consists of only four members, water consumption was at 330,000 liters (Wayne, 2014). Summary of analysis outcomes Water scarcity in Australia is a major issue. This is due to issues of global warming, unreliable rainfall and huge water consumption in the country. The house demands for water have been rising rapidly. Melbourne water has to play the role of water provision in a rapidly growing population in cities such as Melbourne (Melbourne Water, 2014). Foreseeable implications Melbourne water has to manage water in a manner that will ensure sustainability. In future, the Australian major towns such as Melbourne may face acute water shortage. The water catchment will also reduce their input to the country water supply due to global warming. Water consumption in Australia faces a grim future if the trend of consumption is not addressed by Melbourne water and its stakeholders (Melbourne Water, 2014). Possible solutions Integrated water management Integrated water management is one of the best solutions that Melbourne water has adopted. Melbourne water have partnered with Victorian government in ensuring that water delivery in Melbourne is efficient. This has been through treating of waste and storm water in a bid to ensure that there is reduce d strain on the available water. This has been an initiative to face the challenges of the growing population, climate change, technology change and high expectations from the public (Melbourne Water, 2014). This is a process that consists of adressing all the elements that makes water cycle. This is in bid to maximize benefits socially, economically and in environment. By engaging all the facets of water cycle, Melbourne water has the capability to achieve more advantages for sustainable water management. Integrated water management helps in ensuring a safer environment, livability and economic benefits (Melbourne Water, 2014). Storm water management This initiative can help in saving a lot of water during storms. The system of managing storm water involves training and applying for licenses to harvest it. Melbourne water has been in the forefront in encouraging storm water harvesting. This is through educating the public on importance of harvesting storm water and guiding on license application. Melbourne water has online water management tools and training resources. These are meant to help in enhancing and encouraging water harvesting (Melbourne Water, 2014). Reusing and saving water Another area that Melbourne water has used as a solution to the challenges is saving water and reusing it. The body has been educating the public on the importance of saving water. This is due to fact that Australia has the highest water usage despite being the driest continent. The importance of wise use of water for future has been stressed so that there is sustainability. Training and learning tools have been the assets that have been utilized by Melbourne water to educate the public (The Economist, 2014). Environmental conservation To serve Australian large cities such as Melbourne requires a sustainable environment. Melbourne water has responded to this by setting up volunteering programs in the country. The main aim of these volunteering programs is to educate the population on the liters’ of water that is lost due to polluted rivers. The programs teaches on how to monitor water, more about rivers, keeping sewers clean, conservation of platypus and managing clean water (Melbourne Water, 2014). Recommendations The efforts by Melbourne water to provide clean and sustainable water in Australian large cities are on the right path. Despite this, there is a lot to be done on community based conservation. This is a strategy that will involve the local community more actively in water conservation programs (Wayne, 2014). The growth of the city’s population requires more aggressive measures to curb shortage that may occur. There is need for the water body to have a new approach that will do a comprehensive research using specialists. This will enable the integrated water management program to achieve its goals (Wayne, 2014). There is also need for wide consultation among the stakeholders on water management. This is an aspect that can bring different views which can be looked at. This approach helps a lot in coming up with a good solution (Hussey & Dovers, 2007). Conclusion Australian is the largest water consumer globally despite its dry climate. This leads to problems in sustainability of water services, especially during the drought and dry seasons. Melbourne water body has a vast responsibility in ensuring that water is available in major cities such as Melbourne. The population has been growing rapidly in major cities leading to stress in the available resources. The role played by Melbourne water includes educating the public on water conservation through storm water management, environmental conservation, reusing and saving available water. Melbourne water has also utilized sustainable water management system in a bid to ensure that there is water in the cities. This approach looks at all the aspects of water cycle. Melbourne water has played a major role in ensuring that there is a continuous water provision in major cities. References Fisher, D 2007, Delivering the National Water Initiative: the emergence of innovative legal doctrine, in Hussey, K. and Dovers, S. (eds), Managing water for Australia: the social and institutional challenges, Melbourne, CSIRO Publishing. Hussey, K and Dovers, S 2007, Managing water for Australia: the social and institutional challenges, Melbourne, CSIRO Publishing Matt, F 2013, ‘These 11 Cities May Completely Run Out Of Water Sooner Than You Think’, The Huffington post, 12 April, viewed 3April 2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/04/water-shortage_n_4378418.html Melbourne Water 2014, About Us : Who We Are : viewed 3April 2014, http://www.melbournewater.com.au/aboutus/whoweare/Pages/who-we-are.aspx The Economist 2014, Australia's water shortage: The big dry, viewed 3 April 2014, http://www.economist.com/node/9071007 Wayne, C 2014, Australia’s Water Crisis, watermark , viewed on 3 April 2014, http://vwt.org.au/watermark/assets/PDF/AustraliaWaterCrisisChamley.pdf Read More