Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment (한국물환경학회지)

Korean Society on Water Environment (한국물환경학회)
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Technical Advancements Needed for the Introduction of Distributed Water Infrastructure to Urban Wastewater Management Systems

분산형 물 인프라의 도시 하수관리 시스템 도입을 위한 기술적 발전방안

  • Yongju Choi (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Wooram Lee (Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University)
  • 최용주 (서울대학교 건설환경공학부) ;
  • 이우람 (서울대학교 건설환경종합연구소)
  • Received : 2022.10.13
  • Accepted : 2022.12.21
  • Published : 2023.01.30
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Abstract

We are on the verge of paradigm shift for the design and operation of our urban water systems from treatment- and efficiency-based to recirculation- and sustainability-based. One of the most frequently suggested alternatives to embody this paradigm shift is to decentralize the currently highly centralized urban water infrastructure. However, claims for water infrastructure decentralization are often criticized due to poor economic feasibility, unstable performance, and unprofessional operation and maintenance. The current study critically reviews the literature to discuss the technical advancement needs to overcome such challenges. Firstly, decentralized water infrastructure was briefly defined and the rationale for the proposal of its introduction to the next-generation urban water systems was laid down. The main discussion focused on the following water technologies, which require special attention when working with decentralized water infrastructure: i) material collection, storage, and transport; ii) easily scalable water treatment; iii) sensor, information, and communications; and iv) system optimization. The principles, current development status, and challenges were discussed for each of the water technologies. The discussion on the water technologies has enabled the identification of future research needs for their application to the next-generation urban water systems which will be designed following decentralized water infrastructure. This paper will significantly improve the current understanding on water infrastructure decentralization and provides insight on future direction of water technology development.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문은 저자가 집필한 한국물환경학회 이슈레터 Water4Future 2018년 12월호를 보완⋅재구성한 것입니다.

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