Editorial

Abstract

Are we happy? Are our priorities correct? These themes emerge in all of the papers in this issue of Municipal Engineer. Papers consider decision-making tools, public perceptions of services and technical and managerial methods for improving those services.Alçada- Almeida et al. (2013) tackle the issue of spatial decision problems through the modelling of scenarios within a multicriteria framework. With the aim of assessing impacts of air pollution on populations from an industrial plant in Portugal, the authors aim to structure spatial and statistical information to enable rational decision making. The favoured methodology used allows for scheme veto if variables fall below a threshold, rather than methods which might average scores.Nillesen (2013) continues the theme of decision making, but in the context of flood mitigation in the Netherlands. As with the Portuguese example, impacts are variable and affect commerce (shipping), human safety and the natural environment. The paper presents the possibility for the extension of a method of assessing spatial quality. Developments were based on views of structured interviews with experts. Overall, the methodological development allows for the assessment of alternatives at an earlier stage in scheme development.Staying with the theme of human safety with respect to water, Gormley et al. (2013) tackle the critically important issue of sewerage system design for rapidly expanding poor urban neighbourhoods. Low cost solutions imply shallow systems, which in turn imply slack gradients. The authors' analysis goes some way to overcoming conventional wisdom by suggesting that shallow gradients can cause partial blockages which create hydrostatic head, which in turn then act as a flushing mechanism, a feature not present in more steeply graded pipes.Moving to the management of water supply and wastewater services, an intriguing paper from South Africa by Wall et al. (2013) proposes franchises, whereby a local small enterprise enters into contractual arrangements with customers and is itself supported by a franchisor, which is able to provide expertise and quality control. Results from a pilot providing water and sanitation services to schools suggest that, as well as franchisees needing to demonstrate a willingness to work hard and be trained, there need to be clear processes for resolving procedural issues which may arise between the parties involved.Ahmed (2013) provides a rather depressing account of the relationships between the water supply provider and customers in Karachi. Falling on the side of water being a tradable commodity rather than a human right, and set against the perceptions of customers of some of the deficiencies in supply, Ahmed points to the difficulties the provider experiences in collecting tariffs. A variety of calculation methods for estimating tariffs exist depending on the land use, but many customers perceive that water should be a free commodity. The problems are compounded by administrative issues leading to disconnections between tariffs, willi...