Water Services. Circular Integrated Management as a Management Strategy

ABSTRACT The commitment to new solutions, the preservation of good basic practices, the safeguarding of people and goods, the valorization of water resources, the promotion of efficient building solutions, and the sustainability of public spaces are suggested as aspects that must appear in an integrated vision of the water infrastructure management. According to a holistic view of the management of these infrastructures, operational gains could be channeled, circularly, to investments in innovative solutions. This change must be carried out in the sense of efficiency, environmental sustainability, and circular management of the urban water cycle. The methodology of circular integrated management (CIM) is presented, which consists of an integrated management strategy for water supply and wastewater and rainwater drainage, also considering the management of solid waste and urban space, in a common model. The production of energy in water supply networks, in water treatment plants (WTP) and in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), and the recovery of treatment residues in WTP and WWTP are also included in this common strategy.