Page 5 - AW SEPOCT 2019

EDITORIAL

Harvesting water in abundance for

urban areas

The urban water problems in Southeast Asian cities are viewed
as the consequences of rapid and uncontrolled urbanization
and unsustainable development. The pursuit of economic
advancement had conjured a disregard for environmental
conservation, which in turn has resulted in water problems of
considerable magnitude. Despite the promulgation of laws and
setting up of governmental agencies to tackle this challenge, the
control of environmental degradation and enforcement of legislations have been slow due to
budget and skilled manpower constraints. Moreover, the existing urban conditions do not allow
for environmental revival unless extensive funds are utilized for major urban improvements such as
sewerage works, water supply and waste disposal improvements which are not likely to happen in
the near future. In the long-term, given the ever-increasing urbanization and population growth,
the urban water problems in Southeast Asia are expected to escalate rather than attenuate
unless serious planning and management are carried out.
Urban water management must take into consideration the total water cycle, facilitates
the integration of water factors early in the land planning process, and encourages all levels of
government and industry to adopt water management and urban planning practices that benefit
the community, the economy and the environment.
Urban water refers to all water that occurs in the urban environment and includes consideration
of natural surface water and groundwater, water provided for potable use, sewage and other
‘waste’ waters, storm-water, flood services, recycling of water techniques to improve water
use efficiency and reduce demands, water sensitive urban design techniques, living streams,
environmental water and protection of natural wetlands, waterways and estuaries in urban
landscapes. Countries like Malaysia where inconceivable plans are underway to tap ground
water to overcome water scarcity in urban settings must be studied much further especially the
impact on the environment and the consequences it may potentially cause. It is rather perplexing
that despite having various sources of natural water available and the copiousness of rainfall,
the slightest thought to even tap this naturally occurring phenomenon may not be a prudent
one after all.

Prem Kumar Nair,
Acting Editor

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Asian Water SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 3