Cost-Efficiency in Water Management Through Demand Side Management and Integrated Planning

In the context of regional planning for efficient management of water and wastewater, it is crucial to assess the specific local situation. This consists of measures for water demand side management, comparison of different scenarios of water and wastewater systems based on dynamic cost–benefit analysis for the decision of central, communal or decentral structures and the decision on technological approaches. There are extremely resource efficient solutions available, however, they are not very well known yet. In regions with a smaller population density, well designed onsite systems for wastewater management in combination with safe local reuse for irrigation can be very competitive. It has to be stated that decentral solutions require professional operation and management, as experience around the world shows that they fail otherwise.