A decision network for urban water management

In the practice of integrated urban water management it is difficult to choose the best combination of available techniques. This paper gives the outline of a decision network to make it easier. It consists of six steps: problem definition, technologies, selection procedure, combination, ranking by sustainability and costs. It is used in an iterative way. By looking at soil characteristics, surface water, groundwater and pollution aspects and by giving priority to sustainable techniques, foundations for a decision can be achieved. It is stated that techniques are sustainable, when they handle stormwater near the source and are visible (not hidden under the ground). From this point of view rainwater utilisation and infiltration are more sustainable than separate and combined sewer systems.