Sustainable Communities

Project Summary

SISTech was involved in a joint study with the Environment Agency, MWH, and Lancaster University to investigate and develop a sustainability vision for two existing small communities in the rural North-West of England. The main objective of the study, which looked ahead to 2050, was to identify alternative approaches for integrating the management of water, energy and waste and to produce a step increase in sustainability. It also considered the viability of proposed approaches in terms of regulation, technology and community behaviours. The study reviewed the potential for new thinking to achieve “economy of scope” in the management of water, energy and waste services with the aim to identify opportunities for major carbon efficiencies and wider sustainability benefits in many rural communities, as well as cost savings for the utility. The need for future utility services was based on two alternative scenarios: Business-As-Usual and Environmental Stewardship. A key finding of the study was the potential for utility companies to focus on demand management and service integration.