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Sustainable Wastewater Management: Is it Possible to Regulate Micropollution in the Future by Learning from the Past? A Policy Analysis

Author

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  • Florence Metz

    (Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, Bern 3012, Switzerland)

  • Karin Ingold

    (Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, Bern 3012, Switzerland
    Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, EAWAG, Überlandstrasse 133, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
    Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Zähringerstrasse 25, Bern 3012, Switzerland)

Abstract

This paper applies a policy analysis approach to the question of how to effectively regulate micropollution in a sustainable manner. Micropollution is a complex policy problem characterized by a huge number and diversity of chemical substances, as well as various entry paths into the aquatic environment. It challenges traditional water quality management by calling for new technologies in wastewater treatment and behavioral changes in industry, agriculture and civil society. In light of such challenges, the question arises as to how to regulate such a complex phenomenon to ensure water quality is maintained in the future? What can we learn from past experiences in water quality regulation? To answer these questions, policy analysis strongly focuses on the design and choice of policy instruments and the mix of such measures. In this paper, we review instruments commonly used in past water quality regulation. We evaluate their ability to respond to the characteristics of a more recent water quality problem, i.e. , micropollution, in a sustainable way. This way, we develop a new framework that integrates both the problem dimension ( i.e. , causes and effects of a problem) as well as the sustainability dimension (e.g., long-term, cross-sectoral and multi-level) to assess which policy instruments are best suited to regulate micropollution. We thus conclude that sustainability criteria help to identify an appropriate instrument mix of end-of-pipe and source-directed measures to reduce aquatic micropollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Florence Metz & Karin Ingold, 2014. "Sustainable Wastewater Management: Is it Possible to Regulate Micropollution in the Future by Learning from the Past? A Policy Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:4:p:1992-2012:d:34920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Andrew Jordan & Rüdiger K. W. Wurzel & Anthony Zito, 2005. "The Rise of 'New' Policy Instruments in Comparative Perspective: Has Governance Eclipsed Government?," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 53, pages 477-496, October.
    3. Andrew Jordan & Rüdiger K. W. Wurzel & Anthony Zito, 2005. "The Rise of ‘New’ Policy Instruments in Comparative Perspective: Has Governance Eclipsed Government?," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 53(3), pages 477-496, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabrina Kirschke & Jens Newig, 2017. "Addressing Complexity in Environmental Management and Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Huang, Cui & Yang, Chao & Su, Jun, 2021. "Identifying core policy instruments based on structural holes: A case study of China’s nuclear energy policy," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2).
    3. Florence Metz & Karin Ingold, 2017. "Politics of the precautionary principle: assessing actors’ preferences in water protection policy," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 50(4), pages 721-743, December.
    4. Eva Lieberherr & Olivia Odom Green, 2018. "Green Infrastructure through Citizen Stormwater Management: Policy Instruments, Participation and Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Susanne Wuijts & Peter P. J. Driessen & Helena F. M. W. Rijswick, 2018. "Governance Conditions for Improving Quality Drinking Water Resources: the Need for Enhancing Connectivity," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(4), pages 1245-1260, March.
    6. Susanne Wuijts & Helena F. M. W. Van Rijswick & Peter P. J. Driessen, 2021. "Achieving European Water Quality Ambitions: Governance Conditions for More Effective Approaches at the Local-Regional Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    7. María J. López-Serrano & Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Isabel M. Román-Sánchez, 2020. "Sustainable Use of Wastewater in Agriculture: A Bibliometric Analysis of Worldwide Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, October.

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