From taps to toilets and ponds to pipes-A paradigm shift in sustainable water engineering

This chapter introduces the main themes in the book, contextualising them in terms of current issues of sustainability, in terms of infrastructure, buildings, businesses and behaviours. The role of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is discussed; they are integral to the achievement of sustainable water engineering principles, in particular the aims encapsulated in SDG6, the Water SDG, whereby the stated ambition is “clean, accessible water for all”. The influence of engineering in achieving all of the SDGs, their interdependence and complexity is critically evaluated. Droughts, water shortages, flooding - these current issues are discussed at a variety of scales, from the single household, to the river catchment using sustainably designed, operated and maintained infrastructure. There is a critical balance to be struck between water resources management, sustainability and engineered approaches; furthermore, the chapter concludes, human behaviour and behaviour change must be accounted for, with community engagement vital in striving to achieve sustainable water engineering.