Embedding circularity in the water supply chain: A circularity indicator dashboard for water

Abstract

Driven by population growth, industrialization, and climate change, drinking water has become more scarce. The linear economy approach of extracting, using, and disposing of water has worsened the scarcity of this limited resource. To facilitate the transition to a circular economy, water circularity indicators are needed. Previous research on water circularity was limited to developing indicators that covered one or two stages of the water supply chain or considered the entire water system as an integrated entity. This study sets a new agenda and approach by developing a water circularity indicator dashboard to assess circularity at each stage of the water supply chain and across waste hierarchy options. This dashboard was used in a case study in South Africa to demonstrate a practical way of measuring water circularity at each stage of the water life cycle. The results indicate gaps in practicing or reporting reusing, recycling and reclaiming across the water supply chain. The dashboard approach is an effective tool that will help water practitioners, stakeholders, and decision-makers monitor, identify gaps and opportunities, and maximize circularity at each stage of the water supply chain.