UNIT – IV

WATER SECURITY AND SETTLEMENT PLANNING

Development planning refers to the strategic process of guiding the

growth and improvement of a region, city, or country to achieve
sustainable social, economic, and environmental outcomes. It
involves various aspects, such as infrastructure development, social
services, and environmental sustainability. Water resources planning,
specifically, focuses on the sustainable use, conservation, and
management of water resources to meet the demands of human
activity while maintaining the integrity of natural ecosystems.

1. The Role of Water in Development Plans

Water resources are central to virtually all forms of development,

whether in urban areas or rural settings. Key areas where water is
crucial in development plans include:

 Agriculture: Water is essential for irrigation and livestock,

influencing food production and livelihoods.
 Industry: Manufacturing, energy production, and mining all
require significant amounts of water.
 Urban Development: Cities need water for drinking, sanitation,
and other infrastructure needs.
 Health: Clean water is fundamental for preventing diseases and
ensuring public health.
 Energy: Water is used for hydropower generation and in
cooling processes in thermal plants.

Integrating water resources management into development plans is

critical for ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience to climate
change and population growth.

2. Key Components of Water Resources Planning

Water resources planning involves the careful assessment and
management of water availability, infrastructure, and demand. The
main components include:

a. Water Availability Assessment

 Hydrological Studies: These involve understanding the flow

patterns of rivers, rainfall patterns, groundwater availability, and
the variability of these resources.
 Environmental Flow Requirements: These are the minimum
water flows needed to maintain healthy ecosystems in rivers,
lakes, and wetlands.
 Climate Impact Assessment: Understanding how climate
change might impact precipitation patterns, drought frequency,
and water availability.

b. Water Demand Forecasting

 Population Growth: Forecasting future water demand based on

population and economic growth.
 Sectoral Demand: Identifying water needs in sectors such as
agriculture, industry, energy, and domestic use.
 Water Use Efficiency: Implementing technologies and
practices that reduce water wastage in all sectors.

c. Infrastructure Development

 Water Storage and Distribution: Building reservoirs, dams,

and water treatment plants to store and distribute water
efficiently.
 Irrigation Systems: Developing efficient irrigation systems for
agricultural use.
 Wastewater Treatment: Planning for the treatment and reuse
of wastewater, which can alleviate pressure on freshwater
sources.
d. Regulation and Governance

 Water Allocation: Establishing fair allocation systems that

distribute water resources equitably among sectors and
populations.
 Water Pricing: Developing pricing structures that reflect the
true cost of water while promoting conservation and sustainable
use.
 Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Creating regulations that
protect water resources, promote sustainability, and resolve
disputes over water use.

Sustainable Water Management Strategies

 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): This

approach involves managing water in a way that balances social,
economic, and environmental needs, focusing on the entire
watershed or river basin.
 Water Conservation: Promoting the use of water-efficient
technologies and practices in households, industries, and
agriculture.
 Pollution Prevention: Ensuring that water bodies are protected
from pollution through waste management, regulation, and
enforcement.
 Ecosystem-based Solutions: Restoring wetlands, forests, and
watersheds to improve water quality, enhance water storage
capacity, and provide habitat for biodiversity.

4. Challenges in Water Resources Planning

 Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns, more extreme

weather events, and changing water availability pose significant
challenges to traditional water management models.
 Overexploitation of Water Resources: Overuse of water
resources can lead to depletion of groundwater reserves and the
drying up of rivers and lakes.
 Urbanization: Rapid urban growth often leads to increased
water demand, pollution, and pressure on existing infrastructure.
  Water Scarcity: Many regions, especially arid and semi-arid
areas, face severe water shortages that hinder development
progress.
 Pollution and Contamination: Agricultural runoff, industrial
discharge, and inadequate sewage treatment contribute to water
contamination, affecting water quality.

Case Study: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

in Development Plans

One example of effective water resources planning is Integrated

Water Resources Management (IWRM). IWRM is a holistic
approach that considers the interconnections between water, land, and
energy. It is especially important in regions facing water scarcity. The
approach encourages stakeholder participation at every level, ensuring
that development projects are sustainable and address the needs of all
sectors.

A notable example is the Basin-wide Management approach in

countries like South Africa, where water resources are managed at
the river basin level. This approach involves:

 Coordinating water management among sectors like agriculture,

urban development, and industry.
 Enhancing water-use efficiency.
 Promoting water conservation and recycling.

6. Linking Development Plans with Water Resources

To ensure that water resources are managed effectively within

development plans, the following actions are typically recommended:

 Long-term Visioning: Development plans must look beyond

immediate needs and consider future water availability and the
implications of climate change.
 Data-driven Decision-making: Gathering and using accurate
hydrological data is essential for planning and managing water
resources.
  Collaboration: Water planning should involve multi-
stakeholder collaboration, including local communities,
governments, and private enterprises, ensuring a broad range of
interests are addressed.
 Public Awareness: Educating the public about water
conservation and management is key to successful planning.

Integration of Water Security in Urban and Regional Planning

Water security is the ability of a population to access sufficient,

reliable, and clean water for their needs, while ensuring that
ecosystems are protected and water resources are managed
sustainably. Integrating water security into urban and regional
planning is crucial for fostering resilient cities and regions that can
adapt to growing populations, climate change, and competing water
demands.

Incorporating water security into development plans involves looking

at how to manage water resources efficiently, ensuring equitable
distribution, and safeguarding the environment while meeting social,
economic, and cultural needs. Below are some essential aspects of
integrating water security into urban and regional planning:

1. Understanding Water Security in Urban and Regional Contexts

Water security in urban and regional contexts involves several key

components:

 Availability: Ensuring a reliable and sufficient supply of water

for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and environmental uses.
 Access: Providing equitable access to clean, safe water for all
communities, especially marginalized populations.
 Quality: Ensuring that water sources are free from
contamination and that the water distributed to communities
meets health standards.
  Resilience: Preparing cities and regions to cope with water-
related stresses, including droughts, floods, and climate
variability.
 Environmental Sustainability: Maintaining healthy
ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands) that provide clean water and
maintain hydrological cycles.

2. Integration into Urban Planning

Urban areas face intense pressures on water resources due to high

population density, rapid growth, industrialization, and the impacts of
climate change. To integrate water security into urban planning,
several strategies can be adopted:

a. Water-Efficient Infrastructure

 Water Recycling and Reuse: Urban areas can implement

systems for wastewater treatment and reuse for non-potable
purposes like irrigation, industrial use, and street cleaning. This
reduces demand on freshwater sources.
 Storm water Harvesting: Cities can design urban infrastructure
to capture and store rainwater for later use, such as for irrigation
or flushing toilets. Permeable surfaces and green roofs can
reduce runoff and allow for better water retention.
 Water-Efficient Buildings: Promoting water-efficient
technologies, such as low-flow faucets, water-saving appliances,
and greywater systems, reduces the overall demand on
municipal water systems.

b. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

 Green Infrastructure: Using parks, wetlands, rain gardens, and

permeable pavements to manage stormwater sustainably and
reduce flooding risks. This is critical in cities that are highly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
 Flood Management: In flood-prone urban areas, integrating
water security requires planning for flood risk mitigation
 through floodplains management, flood barriers, and urban
zoning regulations.

c. Water Conservation Policies

 Encouraging citizens to use water more efficiently through

education, water pricing, and incentives for water-saving
technologies.
 Implementing strict regulations for water use in urban settings,
especially during droughts or water shortages.

d. Decentralized Water Management

 Implementing small-scale water systems (e.g., decentralized

water treatment plants) in certain urban areas to reduce pressure
on centralized systems, especially in informal settlements or
peri-urban areas where municipal services may be limited.

3. Integration into Regional Planning

Water resources in regional planning often span multiple urban and

rural areas, requiring coordinated approaches for sustainable water
management. Regional planning involves larger areas, where land use
decisions affect the quality and quantity of water resources.

a. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

 Catchment/Watershed Management: Planning for water

security at the watershed or river basin level is crucial, as this
takes into account the entire water cycle and all water uses
(urban, industrial, agricultural, and environmental). IWRM
promotes managing water holistically, involving stakeholders
from all sectors.
 Collaboration Across Boundaries: Water resources often cross
municipal, regional, or even national boundaries. It’s important
for cities and regions to collaborate with neighboring areas to
 manage shared water resources and resolve conflicts over water
use.

b. Conservation of Water Ecosystems

 Protection of Water Sources: In regions where water sources

are critical, such as rivers, aquifers, and wetlands, regional
planning must incorporate measures to protect these ecosystems
from pollution, over-extraction, and encroachment.
 Agro-ecological Systems: Encouraging agricultural practices
that conserve water, such as rainwater harvesting, soil moisture
conservation, and the use of drought-resistant crops, can reduce
the pressure on regional water resources.

c. Land Use Planning and Zoning

 Water-Sensitive Land Use: Zoning laws and regulations

should take water security into account. For example, preventing
construction in floodplains, promoting sustainable agriculture
near water sources, and limiting industries with high water
consumption in water-scarce areas.
 Urban Sprawl and Water Demand: Limiting urban sprawl is
critical for controlling the expansion of water demand. Planning
for dense, well-connected cities with green spaces can reduce
water demand and improve water retention and management.

4. Integrating Water Security in Other Development Plans

a. Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Water security is intricately linked to climate change, as shifting

rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events
(droughts, floods, storms) affect both water supply and demand.
Climate adaptation strategies should integrate water management
considerations:
  Drought Resilience: Designing water systems that are resilient
to drought conditions, such as increasing storage capacity and
improving the efficiency of water use.
 Flood Mitigation: Implementing flood management
infrastructure, such as flood barriers and floodplain zoning, to
protect cities and rural areas from the increasing risks of floods
due to climate change.

b. Energy Development Plans

Water is crucial for energy production, particularly in hydropower

generation and cooling processes in thermal power plants.
Development plans for energy should account for the water needs of
the energy sector:

 Hydropower: Consider the impacts of large dams on local

water ecosystems, communities, and water availability.
 Cooling Needs: Incorporating water efficiency in energy plants
to minimize the use of water in cooling systems (e.g., dry
cooling technologies).

c. Health and Sanitation Plans

Water is directly linked to public health, and its management can help
prevent waterborne diseases:

 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Initiatives:

Ensuring access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation to
prevent diseases. Integrating water security into public health
planning improves resilience against waterborne epidemics.
 Flood Risk Management: Integrating flood control measures
into health planning to prevent water contamination and the
spread of diseases like cholera.

5. Water Security in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and

Emergency Response
Water security is crucial for disaster resilience. In urban and regional
planning, it’s important to incorporate water-related disaster risks,
such as floods, droughts, and water shortages, into disaster risk
management plans:

 Drought-Resilient Infrastructure: Building and maintaining

reservoirs, wells, and rainwater harvesting systems to support
water needs during drought periods.
 Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems:
Implementing systems that monitor and predict extreme weather
events that affect water systems and informing the public in
advance.

6. Key Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:

 Rapid Urbanization: Growing cities put immense pressure on

existing water infrastructure and resources, making it harder to
maintain water security.
 Climate Variability: Changing rainfall patterns, prolonged
droughts, and increasing flood events challenge water supply
and distribution systems.
 Water Pollution: Industrial and household waste, agricultural
runoff, and untreated sewage contribute to the contamination of
water sources.

Opportunities:

 Innovative Technologies: The use of smart water management

systems, water-efficient appliances, and climate-resilient
infrastructure can help address water security challenges.
 Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between the
government, private sector, and civil society can help finance
and implement sustainable water management projects.
  Community-Based Approaches: Engaging local communities
in water management decisions fosters a sense of ownership and
leads to more sustainable water use practices.

Water Demand and Demand Projections for Ensuring Water

Security in Settlements

Water security is essential for the sustainability of any settlement,

whether urban or rural. To achieve water security, it is crucial to
accurately project water demand and plan for its future needs.
Effective water demand projections allow authorities to develop the
necessary infrastructure, policies, and conservation strategies to
ensure sufficient, equitable, and clean water supply for all residents
and sectors.

1. Understanding Water Demand in Settlements

Water demand refers to the total amount of water required by all

sectors in a given settlement over a certain period. The primary
categories of water demand in settlements include:

 Domestic (Municipal) Water Demand: Water needed for

household consumption (drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc.),
sanitation, and personal hygiene.
 Industrial Water Demand: Water used in manufacturing
processes, cooling systems, cleaning, and other industrial
activities.
 Agricultural Water Demand: Water required for irrigation,
livestock, and food production (in rural and peri-urban areas).
 Environmental Water Demand: Water required to maintain
ecosystem services, such as river flow, wetlands, and
biodiversity conservation.
 Commercial and Institutional Water Demand: Water used by
commercial establishments (e.g., offices, restaurants, hotels) and
public institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals).
The total water demand of a settlement is the sum of these categories,
and the demand varies based on several factors such as population
size, economic development, industrial growth, climate, and water use
practices.

2. Key Factors Influencing Water Demand

 Population Growth: As the population of a settlement increases,

so does the demand for water. Projections of population growth
play a central role in forecasting water demand.
 Economic Development: Increased industrialization,
agriculture, and urbanization generally lead to higher water
consumption.
 Water Use Efficiency: Technological advancements and
policies aimed at improving water efficiency (e.g., water-saving
appliances, efficient irrigation systems) can reduce per capita
water demand.
 Climate Variability: Changes in precipitation patterns,
temperature, and the occurrence of extreme weather events (e.g.,
droughts and floods) affect water availability and demand.
 Lifestyle and Consumption Patterns: The average daily water
use per person, influenced by factors such as lifestyle, income
levels, and water conservation practices, impacts total water
demand.
 Water Pricing: Water pricing policies can influence water
consumption patterns by incentivizing conservation or
encouraging overuse.

3. Steps in Water Demand Projections

Water demand projections are typically carried out for short, medium,
and long-term planning purposes. These projections provide insight
into future water needs and inform the design of water supply systems,
infrastructure, and conservation strategies.
a. Assessing Current Water Demand

 Base-year Demand Data: The first step is to gather data on

current water consumption across all sectors. This includes
household, industrial, agricultural, and environmental water uses.
 Water Use Patterns: Identify patterns of water use within
different sectors (e.g., residential use per capita, industrial use
per unit of production, irrigation use per hectare).

b. Population and Growth Forecasts

 Population Projections: Using demographic studies, project the

population growth in the settlement for different time horizons
(5, 10, 20 years). Population projections can be obtained from
national or local census data.
 Per Capita Water Use: Multiply the projected population by
the per capita water use to estimate future demand for municipal
water.

c. Sectoral Demand Projections

 Residential Demand: This is often based on expected

population growth and changes in per capita water use. A
common method is to use the average daily water consumption
per person and apply it to future population estimates.
 Industrial Demand: Estimate future industrial water demand
based on projected economic growth, industrial sector
development, and water use per unit of production. Industries
may need more water as production increases.
 Agricultural Demand: Water demand for agriculture depends
on factors such as projected crop areas, irrigation methods (e.g.,
flood irrigation, drip irrigation), and climate conditions. Water
use can vary significantly based on the crop type and the
efficiency of irrigation systems.
 Environmental Demand: Acknowledge the need for
maintaining environmental flows, especially in areas with
critical ecosystems or wetlands. This may be more complex to
quantify but is essential for maintaining ecological balance.
d. Climate and Environmental Considerations

 Water Availability: Assess the availability of surface water

(rivers, lakes) and groundwater (aquifers) in relation to expected
demand.
 Climate Change Projections: Incorporate climate change
models to account for shifts in precipitation patterns,
evaporation rates, and the frequency of extreme weather events
that could influence both supply and demand.

e. Water Use Efficiency and Conservation

 Efficiency Improvements: Incorporate potential improvements

in water use efficiency, such as the introduction of water-saving
technologies, better irrigation practices, and reduced leakage
from supply systems.
 Water Conservation Measures: Forecast the impact of public
awareness campaigns, pricing policies, and regulations aimed at
reducing water consumption. These measures can significantly
alter demand projections, particularly in urban settings.

4. Models for Water Demand Projections

Several models can be used to project water demand, each tailored to

specific needs and contexts:

a. Simple Exponential Growth Model

For settlements with steady, predictable population growth, the

exponential growth model can be applied:
Future Demand=Current Demand×(1+Growth Rate)n\text{Future
Demand} = \text{Current Demand} \times (1 + \text{Growth
Rate})^{n}Future Demand=Current Demand×(1+Growth Rate)n
Where:

 Current Demand is the base-year water demand.

 Growth Rate is the annual growth rate (e.g., 2% per year).
  nnn is the number of years into the future.

b. Sectoral Water Demand Model

This method projects demand based on individual sectors (municipal,

industrial, agricultural):
Total Demand=Dresidential+Dindustrial+Dagricultural\text{Total
Demand} = D_{\text{residential}} + D_{\text{industrial}} +
D_{\text{agricultural}}Total Demand=Dresidential​ +Dindustrial​
+Dagricultural​ Where:

 DresidentialD_{\text{residential}}Dresidential​ is the
projected residential water demand based on population growth.
 DindustrialD_{\text{industrial}}Dindustrial​ is calculated
based on industrial expansion and water use per unit of
production.
 DagriculturalD_{\text{agricultural}}Dagricultural​ is based on
projected irrigation needs and crop water requirements.

c. Water Balance Models

Water balance models estimate demand based on an integrated

understanding of water supply and consumption across different
sectors. This method considers both surface water and groundwater
resources, as well as non-renewable resources, and compares them
with the demand forecasts.

d. Scenario-Based Projections

This approach involves developing multiple scenarios based on

different assumptions (e.g., high, medium, low growth, different
climate change scenarios, technological advances). This helps
planners prepare for uncertainties in population growth, economic
development, and climate change.

5. Example: Water Demand Projection for an Urban Settlement

Let’s consider an example of a growing urban settlement.

Assumptions:

 Population: The current population is 1 million people.

 Per Capita Water Use: 150 liters per person per day.
 Growth Rate: 2% per year.
 Projecting for 10 years.

Step-by-Step Calculation:

Thus, the water demand for the settlement in 10 years is projected to

be 182.85 million litters per day.

This calculation can be extended to include industrial, agricultural,

and environmental demands, taking into account specific growth rates,
sectorial needs, and technological interventions.

6. Ensuring Water Security through Demand Management

 Water Conservation: Implementing policies to reduce water

use per capita, especially in urban areas, is essential for reducing
demand.
 Water Recycling and Reuse: Investing in infrastructure for
wastewater treatment and reuse can offset some of the demand
for fresh water.
 Improved Irrigation Techniques: In agricultural areas,
adopting drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and other efficient
water management practices can reduce agricultural demand.
 Diversification of Supply: Exploring alternative water sources
such as desalination, groundwater recharge, or stormwater
harvesting can help supplement conventional sources.