Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443

International Economic Conference of Sibiu 2013 Post Crisis Economy: Challenges and
Opportunities, IECS 2013

The Wastewater - a Problem of Integrated Urban Water

Management
Vldu-Severian Iacoba*
a
Faculty of Economics Sciences, "Alma Mater" University, Sibiu, Romania

Abstract

In order to live the man uses various generating resources through waste products his work. Use of water resources causes many
types of wastewater, depending on the type of household consumption, industrial or city. Integrated management of water resources
represents practical ways in which sustainable development is achieved in the field of water, including wastewater management,
and is also the responsibility of all interested parties: the state, local communities, users, operators and NGOs waters.
The present study shows the role and the importance of integrated management of urban water. The steps to be followed in
establishing wastewater management are trying highlighting new trends in the field.
© 2013
© 2013 The
The Authors.
Authors. Published
Publishedby byElsevier
ElsevierB.V.
B.V.Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility ofofFaculty
Selection and peer-review under responsibility FacultyofofEconomic
EconomicSciences,
Sciences,Lucian
LucianBlaga
BlagaUniversity
UniversityofofSibiu.
Sibiu.

Keywords: Integrated management; wastewater; sustainable development; waste management; water resources.

1. Introduction

Water is essential in the daily consumption of individual and significant for various economic activities (industrial
processes, irrigation). Although water covers the earth at a rate of 2/3, mankind is heading for a crisis caused by
freshwater shortage due to population growth and climate change. The multiplication of water needs increases the
pressure exerted by humans on the environment in order to have access to fresh water and use it for various purposes.
Accelerating the exploitation of surface water and depth is emphasized by increasing of the quantities of wastewater.

*
Corresponding author
E-mail address: vladut.iacob@uamsibiu.ro

2212-5671 © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Faculty of Economic Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.
doi:10.1016/S2212-5671(13)00160-3
 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443 437

The actions that cause environmental degradation increase individuals, international organizations and regional
authorities concern regarding the uncertainty of ensuring water resources, broadening also their concern of finding
effective solutions to problems related to water and its use.
The new provisions of UNW, (2010) on human rights for water and sanitation impose to the authorities of the
countries greater attention over the quality and quantity of water for human consumption and economic purposes, but
also on environmental sustainability. At European level, this impulse comes to support the Water Framework Directive
(2000/60/EC) which member states are obliged to strive in achieving integrated management of water resources by
2015. In Romania, according to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, "The Water Framework Directive (WFD)
was transposed into national legislation by Law no. 310/2004 amending and supplementing to Water Law no
107/1996". Through these rules there is given to traditional management of water resources a new integrated vision,
of river basin level to achieve a balance between infrastructure management (supply and sewerage networks,
wastewater treatment, correction of beds and torrents) and the consumption uses (human, agricultural, industrial) in
upstream and downstream, taking into account the hydrological cycle and its components (precipitation, evaporation,
water flow). An important aspect in achieving watershed integrated management plans was the participation of all
stakeholders (individuals, farmers, farmers, NGOs etc).
This paper is a brief overview of the status of water resources in terms of the right to water and sanitation within
the wider context of water, wastewater, considering the management approach an ongoing challenge in the effort to
design and implement an integrated management of urban water.

2. Water - a finite and vulnerable resource

Considering the importance and significance of water for mankind, Duca (2009) discuss that it is for many countries
a strategic resource extremely valuable, given that fewer and fewer people have drinking water due to population
growth. In this context, Safriel, (2011), states that 40% of mankind is already competing with nature for water.
Emphasizing that economic development generates increased demand for watereither directly in industry and
agriculture, or indirectly, as a result of changing the consumer behavior on account of lifestyle changes, Sandford
(2012), specifies that human activity and its consequences began affect the hydrology of the Earth. Therefore, in light
of the WFD (2000), "Water should be preserved, protected and treated as such."
The freshwater share in the total volume of existing water on Earth is appreciated by Vasiliu and Jelev (2008),
Cosbuc (2010) to 2.7%, the rest (97.3%) being sea water. Direct percentage of the amount of usable freshwater is
evidenced by Jelev, Macale and Nedelcu (2011) at only 0.46%, while the remaining 99.54% is found in nature in
various forms: ice (77.2%); groundwater (22.41%), water vapor, water lakes (0.35%), their conclusion is that, in total,
"available freshwater represents only 0.009% of all water on earth".

3. Right to water and sanitation

Regarding the human right to water and sanitation there were over time many moments when statements and details
were made, positions were taken and decisions were adopted by international bodies (UNW-DPAC, 2012). Through
the General Comment no. 15 United Nations Committee marks one of the most important such moments by stating
that "the human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity" according to the criteria of
sufficiency, safety, acceptability, physical and financial accessibility (UNW 2002). Stipulating the obligation of States
to consider the right to water and sanitation as part of existing international law, United Nations Resolution
A/RES/64/292 (UNW, 2010), is supported by other specialists (Guceac, 2010; Stock, 2011 ) under an "earlier and
upper right towards the state." The obligations of nations in terms of human right to water phrase talk about respect,
protect and fulfill. This envisages, on the one hand, the noninterference of the states in the individual right to water
and protection against interference of others for realizing this right, and, on the other hand, creating the appropriate
framework for the full exercise. For these goals significant efforts are made to expand the access to water and
sanitation of individuals, but worldwide inequalities appear closely related to the uneven distribution of freshwater.
According GLAAS (2012), access to drinking water is covered in percentage of 98%, with only 63% sanitation
coverage.
438 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443

Otherwise, this unbalanced distribution makes impossible to achieve the MDG regarding water and sanitation:
"doubling by 2015 the proportion of people with access to safe drinking water" (UNW, 2000). According to the
Progress Report of the United Nations (JMP) in the year 2015 shall still remain 605 million people without drinking
water and 2.4 billion without improved sanitation facilities (WHO / UNICEF, 2012).
According to some authors, Arrojo (2005), Dubreuil (2006), Bau (2008), the right to water must be distinguished
from the right to use, depending on the purpose: individual consumption, industrial use, irrigation. As an individual
right, Payen says (2005), access to safe drinking water is not worth much. What costs is undoubtedly access itself
(collection from the emissary, treatment, adduction system, pumping), and these costs must be offset by society. This
requires a lot of political will and a clear structure of responsibilities and coordination mechanisms between non-state
actors and states (Stock, 2011). Also, as Bar (2007) considers, it is required a timeframe: governments can not do
magical things overnight, and achieving access to water and sanitation is not just a technical matter of an operator.
Romania has taken over the general objectives expressed by international organizations (UNW-ROM, 2003) in
order to increase social welfare. Interest in human rights to water and sanitation is reflected in the National Strategy
for Sustainable Development. Thus, water legislation has been amended and updated by a series of regulations: Water
Law no. 107/1996 as amended by Law no. 310/2004, Law 458/2002 on water quality, Law 241/2006 on access to
water supply services and sanitation, Government Decision no. 118/2002 and no. 974/2004 for the approval of health
surveillance, inspection and monitoring of drinking water quality. Through these legislative measures, Romania
provides water and consumer protection.

4. Conurbations and wastewater

Cities, the most spectacular human creation, are in a continuous development and adaptation. According to Petrisor,
(1997), they can be regarded as "open and dynamic urban ecosystems that consume, transform and generate material
and energy". Alberti (2005), considering that cities have a major impact on the ecological function, argues that
urbanization "degrades the habitat, simplifies and homogenises species composition, disrupt hydrological systems."
Meirong, (2013) blames the rapid urbanization for environmental changes affecting biodiversity and sustainability.
Cities can not be sustainable without access to safe drinking water and quality and whether there is no adequate
sanitation. Economic development of communities (especially those urban) and an interest in ensuring of the
inhabitants superior living standards, puts excessive strain water resources, which may lead to their failure, both
quantitatively and qualitatively (when water exists, but it is polluted). Having regard to UNW-DPAC specifications,
(2010) half of the world's population lives in cities, expecting in 2030 a growth by 10% : 5 billion people will be
urban residents, the growth being registered mainly in developing countries (an average of 5 million residents every
month). The pressure from of these increases creates unprecedented challenges in ensuring access to water and
sanitation, to maintain health as a result of water pollution. To pan-European society "availability of water in sufficient
quantity and adequate quality are a priority" (EC 2011 / C 317/01), and if it is in compliance with Europe 2020 (2010)
"Urban growth should be" smart, sustainable and inclusive growth ".
Water consumption is both to meet the need of hydrating and feeding the individual and his hygiene. This creates
wastewater. Along with their occurrence it develops the need of their disposal. Usually in urban development through
urbanistic plans, it is envisaged the creation of systems acquisition and wastewater collection. At the place of
collecting takes place their treatment, meaning a treatment action by which they are brought to a level of acceptable
quality to be discharged into a natural receiver.
By Directive (91/271/EEC) concerning urban waste water treatment there have been established obligations of
states to take resolute action to prevent the adverse effects of urban waste water discharges and waste water from
certain industrial sectors (especially food). Under the same regulations, urban waters are defined as waters "mixed
municipal waste or domestic waste water with industrial waste water and / or rainwater runoff and domestic
wastewater" means wastewater from homes and residential services and resulting especially from the human
metabolism and from household activities”. In Romania aforementioned provisions of Directive have been transposed
by GD 188/2002 for approving the rules on the conditions for discharge of wastewater into the aquatic environment,
as amended by GD nr.352/2005. The synthesis of water quality shows that agglomerations of Romania evacuated
in natural receivers a total volume of wastewater sufficiently purged (table no. 1) increased by 43.925 million m3/year
(14.6%).
 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443 439

Table 1. The total amount of municipal wastewater discharged into natural receivers in 2007-2011

Urban wastewater volume discharged into natural receivers (mil m3/year)

Year
Total Not require treatment Adequately treated Insufficiently treated Untreated

2007 1361,351 7,348 257,066 564,25 532,687

2008 1319,29 12,698 293,78 487,756 525,054
2009 1296,89 8,609 300,991 458,34 528,95
2010 1651,126 352,074 457,332 304,88 536,84
2011 1325,57 0,65 342,93 445,83 536,18

Source: (National Administration "Romanian Waters", 2012)

According to the Report of the National Administration "Romanian Waters", as the competent authority in the field
on the urban wastewater in Romania, pollution of receiving waters depends on the amount of polluting substances and
water flow. Through pollution is brought into question the deviation from the normal quality state of receiver,
respectively exceeded concentrations of harmful substances or chemicals that can reach the receptors accidentally or
intentionally. Polluting sources of water are: oil and oil sediments or otherwise, organic chemicals, microbes, heavy
metals nutrients, heat, etc.. Their presence in different water bodies generates water quality degradation.
In Romania, substances that come from urban areas and who have the greatest polluting impact are detergents and
materials in suspension, extractable organic substances, nutrients (Table 2.)

Table 2. Pollutant load discharged from urban agglomerations into natural receivers
The quantity of pollutants (tons / year)
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
CBO5 128067,22 116776,59 118991,57 105535,69 100463,75
CCO Cr 390282,24 356216,551 349636,03 308232,09 264896,67
Detergents 8126,14 1839,98 4639,24 2290,03 1946,26
Substances exract 28478,83 24090,57 30362,57 28819,89 27283,00
Materials in suspension 336936,66 283430,35 266.218,51 326020,49 232891,39
Total nitrogen 28991,17 27195,58 28520,30 28712,32 21787,77
Total phosphorus 5691,97 4449,46 3729,61 3634,97 3820,4

Source: (National Administration "Romanian Waters", 2012)

From the data analysis provided by the National Administration "Romanian Waters", in 2007-2011 the amount of
pollutants evolved downwards as follows: approx. 21.5% BOD5, COD, 32.13%, 24.85 Ntot, Ptot 32.88%, 30.87%
suspended solids, 76% detergent and 4.2% extractables.
440 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443

Substances exract;
4,2% CBO5 ; 21,6%

CCO Cr ; 32,1%
Detergents; 76,0%

Total nitrogen;
24,8_%

Materials in Total phosphorus;

suspension; 30,9% 32,9%

Fig. 1. Share of substances polluting impact (%) Source: (Own calculations)

Wastewater treated and released from biological, physics and chemistry contaminants, can be one of the few
sources of water readily available, especially in semi-arid and arid areas. By Bahri (2012) "treated effluent and sludge
from wastewater treatment plants can then be safely discharged or reused - for urban planning, recreation and the
environment, industrial processing and cooling, potable reuse".
In terms socioeconomic relationship of water- life quality can be measured by several indicators: communities and
population access to water sources, water influence on the health of the population, water use, water quality, public
perception on the the supply of water. To achieve quantification of these indicators, for effective, equitable and
sustainable management of limited water resources of the world requires that for each locality to conceive and
implement integrated urban water management (IUWM), internationally accepted tool international to cope with
conflicting requirements.

5. Integrated management of urban water

Empirical concept created by practitioners from scratch Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is
rooted since the first global water conference in Mar del Plata in 1977. Broad discussed the concept was accepted by
world bodies and taken as a strategic development after Agenda 21 and the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in 1992 in Rio. The best known and most widely accepted definition is designed and supported by the
Global Water Partnership according to which IWRM is "a process which promotes the coordinated development and
management of water resources and related fields, in order to maximize economic and social welfare result in an
equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems".
As part of the Integrated Management of Water Resources, within the broader water governance, urban water
management requires local application of an integrated management which aims to provide people access to water
and sanitation services in their infrastructure. Thus, integrated urban water management involves redesigning the
components to urban water services (Figure 2). A high level of integration involves aggregation and interconnection
of these services and the establishment of appropriate communication channels between coordination structures and
internal departments, between administrations (by level of government), communities and stakeholders.
 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443 441

Figure 2: Integrated Urban Water Management, Source: (Bahri A. (2012), Integrated Urban Water Management)

Also, by its practices, IUWM, has the task of finding solutions to prevent degradation of water resources,
management of storm water, domestic and industrial wastewater, leaks or polluting spills, reducing the risk of water-
related hazards (landslides, droughts, floods), and, why not, to control water-related diseases and epidemics.
Meeting the requirements for drinking water, sanitation, wastewater treatment and other water-related services
must be adapted to new trends coming from the knowledge and information technology especially since a number of
cities for which conventional strategies for urban water management cannot cope with, face deteriorating water quality
and an acute shortage of water.

Figure 3: Stages in IWRM planning and implementation, Source: (Adapted from Global Water Partnership
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/iwrm.shtml)

According to Bahri (2012), "alignment of urban water sector with rural water supply, agriculture, industry, energy
and the environment 'can be done putting into practice integrated management of urban water (IUWM).
442 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443

Integrated urban water management (IUWM) is not an end in itself but can be considered rather a tool that would
be able to integrate water resources, water-using sectors, water services and water management rules taking into
account:
• Alternative sources of water,
• Different qualities and potential uses of water resources,
• Storage, distribution, treatment, recycling and disposal of water as part of the one and the resource management
cycle.
• Exploitations, source water protection and conservation
• Interest users in other areas that depend on the same water source
• Formal and informal practice, and to bring all stakeholders
• Environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, social equity.

6. Conclusions

Integrated urban water management is a process adaptive iterative process that allows cities to respond to changing.
Urban water, whether it is speaking about freshwater (surface water, groundwater, desalinated water), about sewage
(black, yellow, brown, gray and reclaimed water) or rainwater should be managed to align urban development and of
river basin management programs in order to ensure sustainable relations of economic, social and environment
throughout urban areas.
Including a combination of approaches that reflects the socio-cultural and local economic integrated urban water
management, as a structured process, provides a new framework for urban planning, design and management of urban
water systems, based on cross-sectoral links, intersectoral and sometimes border on the involvement of communities
and other interested persons. The success of this new type of management is to manage common risks and
opportunities related to housing management, waste management, energy, agriculture or the management of water
bodies. IUWM also promote changes in attitudes and behavior by adapting to new technologies, financing
mechanisms, etc.. Integrating water supply and water quality will require public education and collaboration to achieve
cultural change. Moreover effective water management in urban areas will be safe for human health and the
environment. But to achieve these objectives there are necessary plans, programs, robust national policy and the setting
of performance indicators and tools with which to assess the progress.

References

Alberti, M. (2005). The effects of urban pattern on ecosystem function, International Regional Science Review. 28 (2): 168-192.
Arrojo, P. (2005). Los retos éticos de la Nueva Cultura del Agua, in Encuentro por una nueva cultura del agua en América Latina, Fortaleza (Brasil),
Available at http://unizar.es/fnca/america.
Bahri A. (2012), Managementul Integrat al Apei Urbane, in TEC, Documente Informative Nr. 16, Available at http://www.gwp-
romania.ro/26_11_2012/TEC16.pdf
Bär, R. (2007). L’eau-un droit humain et plus encore. Horizons et débats, Zurich, Available at http: //www. horizons-et-debats.ch/index.php?id=276.
Bau J. (2008), Gouvernance et garantie du “droit à l’eau”, Available at http://www.zaragoza.es/contenidos/medioambiente/cajaAzul/16S5-P2-
Joao_BauACC.pdf.
CE, (2011), privind iniiativa de programare în comun, 2011/C 317/01, ”Dificultile privind apa pentru o lume în schimbare”, în Jurnalul Oficial
al Uniunii Europene. europa.eu/rapid/press-release_PRES-11-475_ro.pdf
CE, (2012), Comunicare a Comisiei ctre Parlamentul European, Consiliu, Comitetul Economic i Social European i Comitetul Regiunilor, Plan
de salvgardare a resurselor de ap ale europei, Bruxelles, Available athttp://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/ro/12/st16/st16425.ro12.pdf.
Cosbuc O. V. (2010), Apa vietii paradigma bioeticii viitorului, Conferina Universitatea Ecologica Bucuresti, Available at
http://bardavavillage.com/index.php/ro/teme/bioetica-planetara.html.
DCA (2000), Directiva 2000/60/CE de stabilire a unui cadru de politic comunitar în domeniul apei. JO L327. Available
athttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/pubs/pdf/factsheets/wfd/ro.pdf.
Dubreuil C. (2006) The Right to Water: from concept to implementation, World Water Council. ISBN: 92-95017-11-0, Available at
http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/Library/RightToWater_FinalText_Cover.pdf.
Duca, G. (2009), Apa surs de via, dar i o problem de actualitate, in Buletin informativ-analitic AITT, Available at
http://www.clima.md/files/CercetareSC/Publicatii/Apa.pdf.
Guceac I. (2010), Dreptul la ap –un nou drept fundamental al omului, Akademos, nr.3 (18), http://www.akademos.asm.md.
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals
 Vlăduţ-Severian Iacob / Procedia Economics and Finance 6 (2013) 436 – 443 443

Jelev I.; Macale R.; Nedelcu G. (2011), Proiect sectorial ADER 411, Administratia Naionala”Apele Române”, Institutul Naional de Hdrologie si
Gospodarire a Apelor, Available athttp://www.inhga.ro/download/proiecte/ader/ADER_WEB_INHGA.pdf.
Jelev, I.; Vasiliu D. (2008), Managementul integrat al apei, IWM 2008 Conference
Meirong S. (2013), Urban Ecosystem Health Assessment and Its Application in Management: A Multi-Scale Perspective, Entropy, 15, 1-9, ISSN
1099-4300, Available at www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy
Payen, G. (2005). Droit à l’accès à l’eau potable. Aspects économiques, institutionnels et pratiques. Institut de droit d’expression et d’inspiration
françaises, Available at http://www. astee.org/communication/cai/fichiers/33_1.pdf.
Petrisor A.I. (1997), Models for Sustainable Development of the Cities, BS Thesis, UNESCO Cousteau Chair of Systems Ecology and
Environmental Management, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, 133 pp
Safriel, U., (2011), Balancing Water for People and Nature in Garrido, A. and H. Ingram (Eds.), Water for Food in a Changing World: Contributions
from the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy New York and London: Routledge, pp. 135-170.
Sandford B. (2012), Water and Global Security, in The Global Water Crisis: Addressing an Urgent Security Issue, Available at
http://www.inweh.unu.edu/WaterSecurity/documents/WaterSecurity2012.pdf.
UNW, (2002) Comisia pentru drepturile economice i sociale, Comentariul general nr. 15 Substantive Issues Arising in the Implementation of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, E/C.12/2002/11,
UNW, (2010), Rezoluia Organizaiei Naiunilor Unite A/RES/64/292 privind dreptul la ap i salubrizare, 2010, Available at
http://www.un.org/ga/64/resolutions.shtml.
UNW-DPAC, (2010), Water and Cities Facts and Figures, Available at
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/swm_cities_zaragoza_2010/pdf/facts_and_figures_long_final_eng.pdf
UNW-DPAC, (2012), The Human Right to Water and Sanitation, Milestones, Available at
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/human_right_to_water_and_sanitation_milestones.pdf.
UNW-GLAAS (2012) water global annual assessment of sanitation and drinking-water Report: the challenge of extending and sustaining services,
ISBN 978 92 4 150336 5, Available at http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/glaas_report_2012_eng.pdf.
UNW-ROM, (2003), Raport asupra Obiectivelor de Dezvoltare ale Mileniului privind România, 2003 Declaraia Mileniului
http://www.onuinfo.ro/download/mdg_ro.pdf,
WHO, Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, Vol.1, 3 edition, 2008, p. 90 Available at
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq3rev/en/ .
WHO/UNICEF, (2012), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).
2010. Progress on sanitation and drinking water: 2010 update. Available at www.unwater.org/downloads/JMP_report_2010.pdf
Zakri A, (2003), Urban Ecosystems Analysis in UNU/IAS, Report, Available at http://www.ias.unu.edu/binaries/UNUIAS_UrbanReport2.pdf.