A Systems-Based Framework for Sustainable Environmental Solutions: Integrating Science, Technology, and Policy for Resilience and Resource Efficiency

Urban environments in rapidly developing regions face mounting challenges related to water contamination, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure. This study introduces a Systems-Based Framework for Environmental Sustainability (SIES) that integrates scientific water quality monitoring, low-cost purification technologies, stakeholder engagement, and policy alignment. Implemented across five sites in Pune, India, the framework combined biosand filtration and solar disinfection (SODIS) to address biological and chemical water pollutants. Water quality assessments before and after intervention revealed significant reductions in biochemical oxygen demand (−69.8%), chemical oxygen demand (−71.7%), E. coli (−90.4%), and heavy metals (−60–70%). In addition to technical outcomes, the study engaged residents, local authorities, and NGOs to evaluate the social acceptability and scalability of the solution. Stakeholder interviews revealed 83% satisfaction with water quality and 76% noting improved health outcomes. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) ranked the SIES approach highest among alternative water treatment strategies based on environmental impact, cost, acceptability, and policy compatibility. Importantly, the results were adopted by the local municipal board, demonstrating early policy integration of decentralized water treatment systems. This study demonstrates that integrated, community-informed environmental models can deliver scalable and sustainable improvements in water security. The findings underscore the value of bridging science, technology, and policy to enhance urban resilience in the face of ecological and public health threats.