This project aims to re-examine the current urban water use system and propose a new one to cope up with the future climate change, rapid urbanization and population growth in two South-Asian Cities. In the new system, each water resource will be properly allocated to each water use by considering the balance between water supply and demand. This requires information on the available amount, and chemical and biological quality of various water resources, recharge zone identification for sustainable planning as well as people perception and willingness to pay. Two of main cities in South Asia; Guwahati (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka), are selected as research fields. Both locations fall under Asian monsoon region but are in different phases in economic and demographic growths. Henceforth, suggested water supply strategies are going to be an integral part of infrastructure development of urban area especially in developing countries. Climate change and related uneven rainfall distribution cause the water shortage. In such areas, safe water supply might become unsustainable, because water pollution becomes severer by the decrease of water recharge and unintentional shift of water resources. We intend to evaluate urban water use strategies suitable for each city from various angles and develop Water Quality Information Platform (WQIP) and new strategies of sustainable water supply under climate change scenario. The research will have an impact not only on the critical scientific understanding of emerging chemical and biological pollutants issues posing threats to water potable use but also on the development of a sustainable water management in urban and agriculture sectors.
Project • CRRP2016-06MY-Kumar