ABSTRACT
Population growth combined with a constant tendency toward urbanization, which isaccompaniedinmanycasesbyanincreaseinspeci—cwaterconsumption,leads toasteadyincreaseinwaterdemandintheurbansectorinmanypartsoftheworld. Today,manyurbanregionssufferfromwatershortages,evenregionsconsidered water-richsuchasJapanandEurope.Thiscompelsthedevelopmentofmoredistant (surface water) and deeper (groundwater) water sources, the construction of dams andlongconveyancesystems,andseawaterdesalination.Utilizationofthesenew watersourcesusuallyresultsinhighdirectcosts(i.e.,construction,operation,and maintenance)andhighindirectcosts(i.e.,externalcostsinducedbyanincreasein negativeenvironmentaleffects).Consequently,reducingtotalwaterconsumptionin the urban sector has become a goal for companies supplying water and for entities that outline water policy like central governments.
