EFFECTIVENESS OF MODERN METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO OPTIMIZE WATER EFFICIENCY IN THE BUILDINGS AND EGYPTIAN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Elbellahy, Shukri M.

doi:10.21608/auej.2024.312485.1698

EFFECTIVENESS OF MODERN METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO OPTIMIZE WATER EFFICIENCY IN THE BUILDINGS AND EGYPTIAN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Shukri M. Elbellahy ¹^{, 2}

¹ Architectural Engineering Department, Engineering College, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia

² Department of Architectural Engineering, Miser Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mansoura city, Egypt

10.21608/auej.2024.312485.1698

Abstract

The current average water use per capita in the European Union (EU) is 150 liters per day, and in the United Kingdom (UK) is 142 liters per day. Singapore has reduced its domestic water consumption per capita to 148 liters per day. The EU, UK, and Singapore aim to reach 80, 110, and 140 liters per day, respectively, by 2050. In comparison, Egypt's current average water use per capita is 226.3 liters per day, with around 27.9% of the total produced pure water leaking and low-quality drinking water. This research aims to analyze applied modern methods and technologies for optimizing water efficiency in buildings and urban environments globally and investigate the current situation of using these solutions to improve water efficiency in the Egyptian urban environment. This research confirmed that global methods and technologies can effectively optimize water efficiency in buildings and urban environments. Currently, most modern techniques and tools have been used (totally or partially) in some new and existing towns and neighborhoods to improve water efficiency in those urban zones. In addition, there is the Egypt Water, sanitation, and Consumer Protection Regulatory Authority Initiative (EWRA), which aims to rationalize drinking water consumption by installing smart sanitary devices in buildings. The study recommends the widespread adoption of these initiatives, tools, and technologies in all existing and new cities and urban communities in Egypt to save about 60% of the currently produced potable water and not to be restricted to be applied in some new Egyptian towns and neighborhoods.

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