How much reduce as a strategy is effective for urban water management?

ABSTRACT Water, though a renewable natural resource, is increasingly under threat due to rapid urbanization and inefficient usage. Despite its renewability, water scarcity is intensifying, making efficient utilization essential. This study evaluates the potential of the ‘Reduce’ strategy, central to the Circular Economy framework for water systems, specifically at the consumption stage. A novel methodology is developed using multiscale datasets: household-level survey data (105 samples), building-level metered data (81 households), and city-level billed consumption data (57,254 connections) to estimate water savings at the city level. These datasets pertain to areas under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai, India. The survey findings reveal a per-capita consumption of 217 liters per capita per day (lpcd), which is 45% higher than the utility's allocation. This trend of excessive consumption is corroborated by both building-level and city-level datasets. Four scenarios were modeled using star-rated water-efficient devices at the household level, and when scaled to the city level, they demonstrated potential savings of 292 million liters per day (MLD). This study underscores the importance of demand-side interventions and advocates for a paradigm shift from infrastructure-intensive solutions to sustainable consumption practices. It provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to address urban water challenges through strategic conservation efforts.