closetowater

Closetowater is a term used in urban hydrology and planning to describe strategies and designs that bring water supply and services physically closer to consumers, with the aim of reducing distribution losses and improving reliability. The name is a contraction of "close to water" and reflects a focus on proximity between end users and water infrastructure in sustainable city design.

Core principles include integrating water infrastructure with building and street design, improving metering and leak detection, adopting modular and scalable utility architectures, and aligning land use with watershed context. The approach emphasizes demand management, data-driven operations, and long-term resilience to climate variability.

Closetowater is applied in city planning, neighborhood development, and housing projects. Techniques may include district metering, on-site water reuse and rainwater harvesting when appropriate, and the placement of utility corridors to minimize transmission losses while maintaining safety and accessibility.

Potential benefits include reduced non-revenue water, lower energy consumption for pumping, and increased resilience to droughts and service interruptions. Challenges encompass higher upfront capital costs, complex governance and regulatory requirements, and the need for coordinated planning among utilities, developers, and residents.

In planning literature, closetowater is discussed as one option within broader integrated water resources management and water-sensitive urban design frameworks. Assessments are context-dependent, with outcomes influenced by governance, geography, and market readiness.