Alternative governance arrangements for modular water infrastructure: An exploratory review

Abstract

This article presents an exploratory review of alternative governance arrangements for modular systems in the urban water sector in terms of policy instruments, organizational structure, and underlying mechanisms. We develop an analytical framework to review the literature on alternative arrangements for innovative technologies. The preliminary results highlight the importance of governmental involvement and formal policy instruments to ensure public and environmental health in the context of modular water infrastructures. This is in line with the status quo of conventional water governance arrangements. However, the findings also suggest that informal instruments supplement the formal ones and that instead of political-administrative accountability more horizontal mechanisms, such as answerability toward citizens and consumers, play an important role in the context of new water technologies.

Actor Roles and Networks in Implementing Urban Water Innovation: A Study of Onsite Water Reuse in the San Francisco Bay Area

“…Such studies have used engineering research methods like spatial optimization, , life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis, cost–benefit analysis, and techno-economic modeling . There is also a smaller but growing body of literature focusing on social dynamics of decentralized and hybrid urban water systems, including sociotechnical transitions, stakeholder perceptions, , and policy and governance arrangements. ,, Recent scholarship has highlighted the need for more research into governance arrangements that enable transformative innovation in urban water management. , These research efforts are critical to supporting the implementation of new OWR systems and understanding new power arrangements and dynamics that might emerge along with innovative technology adoption …”

“…As such initiatives proliferate in different cities around the world (including San Francisco, USA; Bangalore, India; or Barcelona, Spain), a better understanding is needed of the conditions and stakeholder arrangements that can lead to the emergence of successful onsite water management practices. , Research investigating these enabling conditions has largely focused on the definition and development of policies and programs rather than the more practical aspects of OWR implementation. While many cities have experimented with OWR, few have developed a comprehensive governance model that defines stakeholders′ roles and responsibilities throughout the course of OWR implementation, from project conception to daily operation and maintenance . For this study, we define governance structures as constellations of actors, systems or rules (i.e., institutions), and instruments for regulating societal behavior. − …”

Public perceptions and perspectives on alternative sources of water for reuse generated at the household level

“…When considering overall government policy with regard to new water technologies, especially at the household level, there must be sensitivity to socio-technical aspects of acceptance, willingness-to-adopt and political-administrative responsiveness and accountability ( Jeffrey & Jefferson 2003;Hurlimann & Dolnicar 2010;Inbar 2015;Pakizer & Lieberherr 2018). Currently, there is no official policy promoting household reuse of water in Israel.…”

Institutional Barriers to On-Site Alternative Water Systems: A Conceptual Framework and Systematic Analysis of the Literature

“…Coordination across them may be achieved by intermediary actors (e.g., industry associations, universities, NGOS, etc.) or more generally through a well-defined governance structure that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of all involved stakeholder groups. − This relationship between the dimensions and the governance structure is provided in Appendix A. The success or failure of innovative on-site technology is then contingent on each dimension maturing and mutually aligning with the others.…”