Domestic water use efficiency and circular economy

Abstract

Water is essential for economic growth because it interacts with the manufacturing, agricultural, and energy segments. Sustainable practices in household water management involve preserving water resources and mitigating the environmental effects of water extraction, treatment, and disposal. One can minimize wastewater and encourage resource efficiency by optimizing water use inside households through technology, practices, and policies to reduce water consumption, such as gray water systems, low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling systems. In addition to improving the condition of agronomic soils, reusing treated wastewater for irrigation may reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is in line with the circular economy's tenets, which include reducing waste, recycling materials, mitigating economic uncertainty, and optimizing resource use throughout the lifespan of a product. Implementing circular water management techniques at home promotes resource stewardship and builds a more resilient and sustainable water system. This chapter explains how the framework may improve resilience and reduce emissions while making sustainability more financially and ecologically viable. Encouraging water-saving practices among families is essential for increasing water usage efficiency, in addition to technical solutions. The adoption of the suggested efficiency indices to improve urban water conservation tactics for the majority of water consumption. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.