Water Management Hierarchy (WMH)
[Manan, Z. A., Wan Alwi, S. R. and Ujang Z. (2006). Systematic Design of a Maximum Water Recovery Network for an Urban System Based on Pinch Analysis. IEM Journal. 1 (67): 57-64.] is a hierarchy of
water conservation
Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand (thus avoiding water scarcity). Popula ...
priorities. Levels of the hierarchy from the highest to the lowest in terms of the priority for
water conservation
Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand (thus avoiding water scarcity). Popula ...
include elimination, reduction, outsourcing/reuse and regeneration. The most preferred option is elimination, followed by reduction of water demand. After that, direct reuse/recycling and water outsourcing through method such as
rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater is collected from a roof-like surface and redirected to a tank, cistern, deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), aquifer, or a reservoir ...
are preferred. This is followed by regeneration or treatment of wastewater before being reused. Freshwater will only be used when all water-saving options have been explored.
The WMH was used as an effective screening tool in
cost effective minimum water network methodology to stretch the limits of water savings beyond those achievable using conventional
pinch analysis approach.
See also
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Cost effective minimum water network
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Systematic Hierarchical Approach for Resilient Process Screening (SHARPS)
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Water Pinch
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Water conservation
Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand (thus avoiding water scarcity). Popula ...
*
Stormwater
References
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Water conservation