The multitude of environmental crises we are currently facing has increased our societal awareness that the way we do things needs to change, with concepts of sustainability and circular economy being widely adopted. In the context of Europe’s diverse water challenges, a new concept has emerged that is encouraging a move towards a European Water-Smart Society. Promoted by Water Europe (a multi-stakeholder networking organisation with strong industry representation that aims to influence European water policy), it is defined as a society in which the true value of water is recognised and realised, and all available water sources are managed in such a way that water scarcity, pollution of fresh water resources but also damages due to floods and droughts are avoided. Water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy resource efficiency while the water system is resilient against the impact of hydrological extremes (Water Europe 2020). This idea of a ‘water-smart society’ is, we argue, a socio-technical promise which is starting to be institutionalised through its adoption – among other things – in the EU research funding agenda and to be materialised in EU Water Living Labs and specific technological approaches linked to realising a water-smart society. One could also argue that this socio-technical promise has the potential to gain legitimacy and credibility; however, it has not yet gained widespread traction nor has it demonstrated its ability to address many of the underlying causes of Europe’s current water challenges, including those linked to environmental justice. Here, we present social science research from within the EU-Horizon 2020 funded REWAISE water project, using results from literature reviews, key-informant interviews and water-oriented competency groups in Skåne, Sweden, and the Midlands, UK, to critically examine the discourses, materialisations and contestations around the socio-technical promise of a ‘water-smart society’.

Jana Fried 1), Beatriz Medina 2), Karine Caussé 2), Adrian Evans 1), Alex Franklin 1)
1: Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, UK; 2: WE&B [Water, Environment and Business for development], Barcelona, Spain

 
ID Abstract: 958