Stefan Geyler

Ensuring sustainable development for the German water sector: setting the stage for the risk-based sustainability management system (RSS)

Abstract The service provision of drinking water and the disposal of waste water are severely challenged by changing framework conditions. Although service providers necessitate systematic information regarding sustainability risks, no available management tool accounts for them comprehensively. In the context of the project NaCoSi ‘Ensuring Sustainability for Urban Water Systems’, a risk-based sustainability management system (RSS) was developed. This paper aims to introduce RSS and to discuss its contribution towards companies’ viability and transformation in the water sector. The paper describes the comprehensive self-screening approach of RSS, which is based on a causal-chain concept and comprises steps of risk analysis, monitoring and mitigation. Results of the testing phase suggest the validity of risk analysis and its effectiveness in deriving measures. Thus, RSS can help to improve the ability of service providers by analysing challenges and communicating them.

Eco-efficiency As An Evaluation Method Of Disproportionate Costs Within The Water Framework Directive

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) has set the objective of good ecological and chemical status for all European waters by 2027 at the latest. However, exemptions from good status are allowed in cases where economic/social costs outweigh the benefits of water improvement (disproportionality). Eco-efficiency analysis (EEA) is usually applied to evaluate products and processes. The paper argues that EEA can also be used as a methodical approach to evaluate disproportionality of WFD measures. The approach is applied to a potash and magnesium mine discharging effluents into a German river basin (Werra/Weser). Here, the EEA relates water quality improvement to the economic costs of the measures ranking them according to their eco-efficiency. In doing so, EEA structures information on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of WFD measures, and provides inputs to evaluate affordability and disproportionality of them.