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FINAL PROJECT, FINALIZED, Water Security
FINAL PROJECT, FINALIZED, Water Security
Spring 2023
Term Project
Water Availability, Smart Water Management Systems, and The Psychological Impact of Water
Scarcity on Individuals and Communities
Prepared by:
Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................................3
Topic and Dimension..........................................................................................................................3
Reasons for Choosing the Topic and Students’ Majors......................................................................3
Significance of work............................................................................................................................3
Literature Review...............................................................................................................................4
Case study 1: Kenya.............................................................................................................................8
Case study 2: Lebanon........................................................................................................................8
Case study 3: Singapore......................................................................................................................9
Case Study 4: Barcelona, Spain..........................................................................................................9
Case Study 5: Abu Dhabi, UAE..........................................................................................................9
Relations with Water Security (SDG 6)............................................................................................10
Relations of the Topic with 2030 Agenda..........................................................................................10
Major’s Role.....................................................................................................................................11
Future Use of Majors........................................................................................................................12
Conclusion and Recommendations...................................................................................................12
Future Work.....................................................................................................................................12
Figures
FIGURE 1. DEPRESSION/ANXIETY SYMPTOMS FROM HOUSEHOLD WATER INSECURITY.............4
FIGURE 2. DRINKING WATER.........................................................................................................5
FIGURE 3. WASTEWATER................................................................................................................5
FIGURE 4. WATER STRESS.............................................................................................................5
FIGURE 5. SMART WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 1..................................................................6
FIGURE 6. WATER EFFICIENCY TIMELINE....................................................................................6
3
Introduction
Significance of work
The significance of this work lies in its potential ability in lessening the severity of the effects of
water scarcity on individuals and communities, through the work of psychologist who can give
psychological aid to affected people, in addition to computer scientists who can improve water
4
management systems in smart cities, which would have a positive impact on communities and
the economy, leading to a happier, healthier, and more prosperous society.
Body
Literature Review
Several studies and investigations have been conducted in order to assess the effects of water
scarcity and availability on individuals and communities. For instance, one study by Brewis et al.,
(2021) examined water-insecure communities and were able to find that these populations
seem to suffer from elevated levels of mental health symptoms, especially those related to
depression and anxiety.
On the other hand, a study by Muralidharan et al., (2019) was able to find that having access to
safe and secure water sources, increased household income, and the access to information about
water management served as a substantial barrier to poor mental health consequences.
5
Evidently, The Netherlands is the 6th happiest country in the world, and this might be linked to a
100% of the population has access to water services (drinking water), they score 100% on
wastewater treatment, and only 17% on water stress.
To
further verify this paper’s topic, a study done by Kiani and Scholten, (2019) examined the
adoption of installing smart water management systems in Netherlands; the study revealed that
it is mandatory that the technology is coupled with social and institutional changes to
successfully install the systems. This highlights the importance of psychological factors where
psychologists are to study the severely affected areas and try to collect proper data in efforts of
proposing better solutions and help in integrating the customer. Psychologists could improve
people’s acceptance of the technology considering privacy concerns.
6
Topic Explanation
Water availability refers to people’s ability to reach water sources to meet their needs.
However, water scarcity has become an enduring problem by which millions of people around
the globe are affected with and suffer from, specifically and mostly in developing countries. This
study explores how water availability and scarcity can have direct impacts over individuals’ and
communities’ health, with an emphasis on the psychological aspect. It has become evident that
water scarcity can significantly affect people’s mental well-being, by which the stress of
restricted water sources can lead to serious conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and
distress. Smart cities are of vital significance in the process of developing efficient water
management systems and protecting water resources. The literature highlights that smart
technologies were utilized to boost water management in terms of supply, demand, and
treatment. Computer science is a vast field with multiple tools to utilize in these areas. To
illustrate, a field like Internet of Things (IoT), the union of internet computing devices that
permits the transfer of data, will assist in assessing water quality in real time. Another field is
Artificial intelligence, where computers possess the power to analyze and formulate decisions
independently. This field contributes to developing effective algorithms (solution procedures) to
monitor and suggest actions in real time. It will utilize its sensors to monitor water usage
permitting accurate predictions for the future of water demand (Hosseini et al., 2020).
Furthermore, these systems will insure detection of leakages in infrastructure. This is extremely
demanded in countries like Lebanon that contain more than 40% leakage (World Bank, 2014).
Additionally, water smart cities are less prone to damage from natural disasters and extreme
weather events. (United Nations,2018). The prior investment in these technologies save large
amounts of money that is spent recovering from a natural disaster. Economically, water smart
cities attract entrepreneurial initiatives. Consequently, more jobs are created, thus, citizens
obtain higher standards of living. Moreover, smart technologies reduce costs of water supply
resulting from their notable efficiency which results in affordability of water. Hence, developing
water-smart cities has various economic and social benefits. Primarily, promoting sustainable
development of cities. Hence, improving quality of life, and consequently the overall physical
and mental well-being of individuals. The interrelationship between smart water management
8
systems and the psychological impact of water scarcity demonstrates the value and the
importance of sustainable water management applications. Through implementing smart water
management systems and assessing the psychological consequences, we can contribute to
efficient water usage and make water sources more accessible.
Case Studies:
weather and soil moisture levels. Consequently, resulting in reducing water needs and also
increasing crop yields that resulting in high profits. (Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre, n.d).
production. The smart irrigation systems, in particular, could be very productive in terms of
exponentially improving agriculture. That would mean more crops for the dollar spent in terms
of water costs. Also, this is similar in case of industry and manufacturing; the output per unit of
water is a vital area to consider. This means that the same amount of water could be used to
produce larger quantities of products without deteriorating this precious natural resource.
Major’s Role
A psychologist can be helpful when it comes to alleviating the burden of water scarcity and
help people manage the stress and anxiety accompanied with it. Furthermore, psychologists
study and pay close attention to human behavior; therefore, they are aware of the fact that
environmental conditions shape and affect behavior. A psychologist can assess people’s behavior
when it comes to water usage and advocate for change that would help promote water
conservation, including responsible usage when it comes to daily consumption of water, such as
shorter showers. On the other hand, Computer Science students are capable of developing the
smart technologies and maintaining them on a hardware and software level. The technologies
will monitor water usage, detect leaks, and manage water distribution more efficiently.
Additionally, Smart Water Management Systems demand a huge computing power. This could be
solved through cloud computing. Computer scientists have developed this innovative technology
to manage data at scale and make it accessible. A clear example of cloud computing is the
Amazon Workspaces. This platform permits creation of a personal computer on the virtual cloud
in another country. This technically allows promoted remote work and an ease of exchange of
data between employees of a company. The profoundness of this technology lies in its cheapness
(it could operate at cents per hour) which would make the implementation of Smart Water
Management Systems feasible. Certainly, this requires competent Computer Scientists to
contribute collectively to developing maintaining the technology. Similarly, Cybersecurity, being
a fundamental branch of computer science, is really involved. The sheer amount of data output of
the system is valuable, yet it could be exploited by third parties that intend harm to the citizens of
these cities if they get access to its data. Thus, it is mandatory that cybersecurity experts defend
the information fiercely.
12
Future Work
For the future, disciplinary collaboration is needed among water management experts,
psychologists, computer scientists, and stakeholders to develop, implement, and invest in
sustainable solutions that aim at eradicating the enduring problem of water scarcity. It is crucial
to acknowledge that research should tackle the political and legal systems in Lebanon. This will
lead to actionable reform plans that will enable citizens of Lebanon to contribute to initiating
such systems.
13
References
1- Cosme, R. G., Sanguesa, J. A., Gómez-de la Cruz, F. J., Pérez, S. I., Jiménez-Rodríguez, F.
J., & Molina-Martínez, J. M. (2022). Smart water management in urban areas: A review
of real-world examples and emerging technologies. Science of The Total Environment.
Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.151393
2- Fouad, M., Barkil-Oteo, A., & Diab, L. (2021). Mental Health in Lebanon's Triple-Fold
Crisis: The Case of Refugees and Vulnerable Groups in Times of COVID-19. Frontiers in
Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.589264
3- Muralidharan, A., Jagannathan, N. V., Phadke, A., & Rao, K. (2019). Water scarcity and
mental health: A study among rural households in India. Global Public Health, 14(11),
1623-1633. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2019.1573264
4- Public Utilities Board. (2021). NEWater.
https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater
5- Role of research in ensuring environmental sustainability: problem of water scarcity in
Kenya. (n.d.). Millennium Development Goals - International Forum.
http://www.oeaw.ac.at/kef/millennium_dev_goals.htm
6- United Nations. (2018). Water smart cities. UN Water and Netherlands.
https://www.unwater.org/news/iwra-call-abstracts-smart-water-management
7- United Nations. (n.d.). SDG 6. SDG 6 Data Portal. https://www.sdg6data.org/en/country-
or-area/Netherlands
8- Wutich, A., Brewis, A., & Tsai, A. (2020). Water and mental health. Wiley Interdisciplinary
Reviews: Water, 7, e1461. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1461
9- Ženko, M., & Menga, F. (2019). Linking Water Scarcity to Mental Health: Hydro-Social
Interruptions in the Lake Urmia Basin, Iran. Water, 11(5), 109