Rethinking water management: From centralised to decentralised water supply and sanitation models

Since the second half of the 19th Century, centralised water and sanitation systems have been expanding all over the world. However, the limitations of this model are becoming increasingly obvious and, in recent times, a renewed interest for decentralised approaches is emerging owing to the capacity of decentralised systems to enhance water security and minimise environmental degradation. The decentralised alternatives explored in this paper include the use of rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse at the household level. This paper analyses the main distinctive features of decentralised water supply and sanitation systems and the main requirements to achieve a successful transition to decentralised water management.