This is an engineering challenge for the responsible use of water in our cities/towns and villages around the world. Solutions can be for clean water or for sanitation and other responsible uses of water, including solutions and systems for recycling.
The challenge is to develop a product or system that addresses sustainable use of water for clean, healthy and smart living and is consistent with the theme of World Engineering Day 2022 to Build Back Wiser – Engineering the Future.
The Challenge addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6
Clean Water and Sanitation
One in three people live without sanitation. This is causing unnecessary disease and death. Although huge strides have been made with access to clean drinking water, lack of sanitation is undermining these advances. If we provide affordable equipment and education in hygiene practices, we can stop this senseless suffering and loss of life.
Climate change is projected to have increasingly significant impacts on weather patterns globally. In addition to more frequent extreme weather events, a critical effect of these changes is a shift in rainfall patterns. These changes mean that many communities are having to adapt the way they manage water for domestic purposes, and to support other critical activities such as rain-fed agriculture.
Some companies and governments are responding by adopting “net-zero” approaches to water management. By mitigating the pressure placed on freshwater supplies by the water-intensive processes associated with their operations, companies can reduce the negative impacts on surrounding local communities and the environment.
Meanwhile, there are several opportunities to change community practices in relation to water and create systems that lead to more effective retention of water in catchments. This can range from larger scale water recycling in urban contexts like Singapore, to low-tech re-vegetation and retention pond construction approaches in contexts such as rural Timor-Leste.
Engineering solutions in this area benefit from clear consideration of how to effectively engage communities and/or businesses. Approaches such as recycled water have been very successful in some contexts but have faced strong community opposition and stigma in others. Water and sanitation systems also involve consideration of how the solutions will affect the broader set of stakeholders drawing on the same catchment or water supply, to ensure the outcomes are equitable and sustainable.
Submission Guidelines
The success of an engineering project depends on much more than just the technical feasibility of the initial concept but also consideration of human factors, environmental context, cost and economic benefits, etc., are very important to the successful implementation of any innovative and ‘technically-sound’ idea.
Below are a series of considerations we recommend you factor into your solution to ensure it is appropriate to the context where it is to be implemented. You might ask yourself these questions a few times throughout the development process – it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers right away! How can you build on your original idea, to improve it each time?
Most effective technical solution for the context
Environmental sustainability outcomes
Engagement of key stakeholders
Are there any ethical considerations – such as adverse impacts to the environment, economy, social inclusion, culture, community, resource use, that warrant consideration?
How has your team utilised digital tools, for example to develop models of your proposed solution as part of the solution. Also how the team has utilised ICT in the process of putting forward your submission.
Cost estimates and economic and non-economic benefits
Based on the International Engineering Alliance Global Graduate Attribute and Professional Competencies Profiles. Considering the proposal presented to you, evaluate whether the submission demonstrates the following engineering competencies.
Graduate Attributes that are addressed in the solution, referencing the International Engineering Alliance Graduate Attribute and Professional Competency (GAPC) Framework
Maximum Score per Category 4
Score: 0 - Not Addressed
Score: 1 - Limited attempt to address
Score: 2 - Some success in addressing the various elements
Score: 3 - Good attempt to address the element
Score: 4 - Addressed very effectively
The judging process will consist of two rounds