Circular Water Resource Recovery and Resiliency

In contrast to the linear “take-make-consume-dispose” economy, the circular economy aims to decouple economic growth from resource use and associated environmental impacts. The notion of decoupling is that economic output shall continue to increase at the same time as rates
of increasing resource use and environmental impact are slowed and, in time, brought into decline. For example, Denmark has significantly reduced its energy and water consumption while the economy has grown by roughly two-thirds since 1990.

In the context of water resources management, the circular water economy aims to design out externalities and keep resources in use, all the while regenerating natural capital. Specifically, the circular water economy optimises the amount of energy, minerals, and chemicals used in the operation of water systems in concert with other systems, optimises consumptive use of water, and uses measures or solutions which deliver the same outcome without using water.

Regarding keeping resources in use, the circular water economy aims to optimise resource yields (water use and reuse, energy, minerals, and chemicals) within water systems, optimise energy or resource extraction from the water system and maximise their reuse, and optimise value generated in the interfaces of water systems with other systems.

Finally, the circular water economy aims to maximise environmental flows by reducing consumptive and non-consumptive uses of water, preserving and enhancing natural capital (e.g., pollution prevention, quality of effluent, etc.), and ensuring minimal disruption to natural water systems from human interaction and use.

To action the circular economy, water resources managers can implement the circular economy 5R approach of reduce (water conservation and water efficiency), reuse (rainwater harvesting, etc.), recycle (recycling of wastewater for various uses), recover (recover nutrients and energy from wastewater), and restore (use of nature-based solutions to restore environmental flows).

Collaboration is vital to unleashing a global circular water economy’s potential. As such, Denmark in 2019 established 14 Climate Partnerships to forge financially viable paths where corporations and governments work in tandem toward energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, and greener industries. Amongst more than 400 tangible recommendations, the Danish Climate Partnership for Waste, Water and Circular Economy suggested in 2020 to strive for an energy and climate-neutral water sector in Denmark by 2030. Denmark is moving quickly towards its target with an emphasis on digitalisation, energy savings, reduction of water loss, efficient collection, and treatment of wastewater.

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