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Lebanese American University

School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Liberal Education
Beirut Campus

LAS 201 Water Security

Spring 2023

Term Project

Water Availability, Smart Water Management Systems, and The Psychological Impact of Water
Scarcity on Individuals and Communities

Prepared by:

Fatima Elamine; ID: 201807210

Ali Cheaito; ID: 202203593

Instructor: Dr. Hrair Danageuzian

Date of submission: April 24, 2023

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Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................................3
Topic and Dimension..........................................................................................................................3
Reasons for Choosing the Topic and Students’ Majors......................................................................3
Significance of work............................................................................................................................3
Literature Review...............................................................................................................................4
Case study 1: Kenya.............................................................................................................................8
Case study 2: Lebanon........................................................................................................................8
Case study 3: Singapore......................................................................................................................9
Case Study 4: Barcelona, Spain..........................................................................................................9
Case Study 5: Abu Dhabi, UAE..........................................................................................................9
Relations with Water Security (SDG 6)............................................................................................10
Relations of the Topic with 2030 Agenda..........................................................................................10
Major’s Role.....................................................................................................................................11
Future Use of Majors........................................................................................................................12
Conclusion and Recommendations...................................................................................................12
Future Work.....................................................................................................................................12

Figures
FIGURE 1. DEPRESSION/ANXIETY SYMPTOMS FROM HOUSEHOLD WATER INSECURITY.............4
FIGURE 2. DRINKING WATER.........................................................................................................5
FIGURE 3. WASTEWATER................................................................................................................5
FIGURE 4. WATER STRESS.............................................................................................................5
FIGURE 5. SMART WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 1..................................................................6
FIGURE 6. WATER EFFICIENCY TIMELINE....................................................................................6
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Introduction

Topic and Dimension

Water is an essential and fundamental resource for every living organism, and it is what makes
life on Earth possible. However, many regions around the globe suffer today from water scarcity
due to many factors, such as climate change and increased populations. As a result, it is
becoming increasingly necessary to assess the consequences of water scarcity on individuals and
communities and to innovate possible solutions on a societal and economic dimension through
integration of psychological and technological expertise.

Reasons for Choosing the Topic and Students’ Majors

The topic is relevant to the daily lives of Lebanese people, furthermore, psychology and
computer science majors could help in alleviating the severity of water scarcity. For instance,
Zenko and Menga (2019) state that water scarcity can have a toll on mental and physical health,
and could lead to chronic psychological stress, hopelessness, depression, and anxiety. One
possible and innovative solution for that problem is the implementation of smart water
management systems that monitor and regulate water usage. Smart cities seem to be the certain
future of urbanization, with their ability to boost efficiency and conserve planet’s resources,
especially water, through a sustainable lifestyle. The topic was intriguing after taking Las 201
course at the Lebanese American University as it mirrors real-life cases locally. Also, the
students watched a documentary about smart cities that stressed the ability of smart cities to
promote living standards in an economic way. This work is a multi-disciplinary product of
integrating computer science and psychology disciplines, and it was conducted by Ali Cheaito,
majoring in computer science, and Fatima Elamine, majoring in psychology.

Significance of work
The significance of this work lies in its potential ability in lessening the severity of the effects of
water scarcity on individuals and communities, through the work of psychologist who can give
psychological aid to affected people, in addition to computer scientists who can improve water
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management systems in smart cities, which would have a positive impact on communities and
the economy, leading to a happier, healthier, and more prosperous society.

Body

Literature Review
Several studies and investigations have been conducted in order to assess the effects of water
scarcity and availability on individuals and communities. For instance, one study by Brewis et al.,
(2021) examined water-insecure communities and were able to find that these populations
seem to suffer from elevated levels of mental health symptoms, especially those related to
depression and anxiety.

Figure 1. Depression/anxiety symptoms from household water

insecurity.

On the other hand, a study by Muralidharan et al., (2019) was able to find that having access to
safe and secure water sources, increased household income, and the access to information about
water management served as a substantial barrier to poor mental health consequences.
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Evidently, The Netherlands is the 6th happiest country in the world, and this might be linked to a
100% of the population has access to water services (drinking water), they score 100% on
wastewater treatment, and only 17% on water stress.

To

Figure 4. Drinking Water Figure 2. Wastewater Figure 3. Water Stress

further verify this paper’s topic, a study done by Kiani and Scholten, (2019) examined the
adoption of installing smart water management systems in Netherlands; the study revealed that
it is mandatory that the technology is coupled with social and institutional changes to
successfully install the systems. This highlights the importance of psychological factors where
psychologists are to study the severely affected areas and try to collect proper data in efforts of
proposing better solutions and help in integrating the customer. Psychologists could improve
people’s acceptance of the technology considering privacy concerns.
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Figure 5. Smart Water Management System 1

Figure 6. Water Efficiency Timeline

YOTUBE VID: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsN9uJHXYU

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Topic Explanation

Water availability refers to people’s ability to reach water sources to meet their needs.
However, water scarcity has become an enduring problem by which millions of people around
the globe are affected with and suffer from, specifically and mostly in developing countries. This
study explores how water availability and scarcity can have direct impacts over individuals’ and
communities’ health, with an emphasis on the psychological aspect. It has become evident that
water scarcity can significantly affect people’s mental well-being, by which the stress of
restricted water sources can lead to serious conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and
distress. Smart cities are of vital significance in the process of developing efficient water
management systems and protecting water resources. The literature highlights that smart
technologies were utilized to boost water management in terms of supply, demand, and
treatment. Computer science is a vast field with multiple tools to utilize in these areas. To
illustrate, a field like Internet of Things (IoT), the union of internet computing devices that
permits the transfer of data, will assist in assessing water quality in real time. Another field is
Artificial intelligence, where computers possess the power to analyze and formulate decisions
independently. This field contributes to developing effective algorithms (solution procedures) to
monitor and suggest actions in real time. It will utilize its sensors to monitor water usage
permitting accurate predictions for the future of water demand (Hosseini et al., 2020).
Furthermore, these systems will insure detection of leakages in infrastructure. This is extremely
demanded in countries like Lebanon that contain more than 40% leakage (World Bank, 2014).
Additionally, water smart cities are less prone to damage from natural disasters and extreme
weather events. (United Nations,2018). The prior investment in these technologies save large
amounts of money that is spent recovering from a natural disaster. Economically, water smart
cities attract entrepreneurial initiatives. Consequently, more jobs are created, thus, citizens
obtain higher standards of living. Moreover, smart technologies reduce costs of water supply
resulting from their notable efficiency which results in affordability of water. Hence, developing
water-smart cities has various economic and social benefits. Primarily, promoting sustainable
development of cities. Hence, improving quality of life, and consequently the overall physical
and mental well-being of individuals. The interrelationship between smart water management
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systems and the psychological impact of water scarcity demonstrates the value and the
importance of sustainable water management applications. Through implementing smart water
management systems and assessing the psychological consequences, we can contribute to
efficient water usage and make water sources more accessible.

Case Studies:

Case study 1: Kenya

To better understand the status of water around the world, a case study from Kenya was
explored that directly links water availability and scarcity to individuals’ and communities’
mental health. The study revealed that people in rural areas of Kenya do not seem to be able to
afford the high costs of water. Moreover, people in rural areas of Kenya suffer from the lack of
piped water supplies, which leads them to dedicate a significant amount of time in collecting
water from public sources, and consequently adding a great burden to their everyday lives. In
addition, the lack of access to safe water increases the chances of contracting water-borne
diseases from unsafe water sources. Having to live with the constant fear of contracting diseases
puts people under great stress and anxiety, leading, in some cases, to anxiety and depression.
Consequently, this limiting access to this natural resource is hindering the development prospects
of the country, leading to conflicts and directly affecting people’s well-being.

Case study 2: Lebanon

Another case study from Lebanon assesses the mental health of refugees, especially the
Syrian, and other vulnerable groups. The study revealed that the majority of refugees do not have
access to safe or basic water, and that they suffer from the absence of sanitation and hygiene
services and infrastructure. In addition, there seems to be no permanent solutions to “access
water and sanitation structures, such as connection to municipal water and sanitation networks,
which contributes to their dire situation”, (Fouad et al., 2021). This situation increases their risk
of contracting diseases and heightens their chances of suffering from other health issues. In
addition to their collective traumas due to war and displacement, living under difficult and poor
conditions triggers a wide range of mental health conditions, which leads to long-term
psychological consequences. The Lebanese case is troubled given the lack of infrastructure and
political concerns; therefore, it is unlikely that Lebanon will reduce its water stress anytime soon.
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Case study 3: Singapore

Regarding smart water management systems, there were multiple case studies to highlight:
Primarily, Singapore was intriguing; their government placed a smart water management system
that contains sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring. (Government Technology Agency
of Singapore, 2020). One outstanding feature was the smart water network. The network contains
sensors that permit water monitoring, detecting leaks, and managing water distribution. The
system includes a mobile app that informs residents regarding their water usage and notifies
them about leaks or other problems. Another initiative to note is the use of modeling tools to
simulate actions of water systems under various conditions. These models facilitate the
prediction of water demand and optimize the use of water resources. Singapore is a leader in
water conservation and recycling. The country allocates huge budgets in desalination plants,
which convert sea water for reuse minding the fit-for-purpose specifications in specific areas in
industry and agriculture. Singapore’s NEWater program is a pioneer in recycling water. It
purifies wastewater to become high-grade (water that meets the Environmental Protection
Agency standards in the US) pure water. (Public Utilities Board, 2021).

Case Study 4: Barcelona, Spain

Another fascinating case study was that of Barcelona, Spain. The city integrated a smart water
management system relying on IoT and data analytics in aim to optimize water consumption,
detecting leaks, and improving water quality. The water system ensures quality monitoring,
leakage detection, smart irrigation, consumption monitoring, and predictive analytics. A
distinguished component in their system is the acoustic leakage detectors that amplify the
leaking sounds allowing for early leak detection which contributes to saving large costs in repairs
and water supply. Similar to Singapore, predictive analytics uses machine learning algorithms to
analyze data from the various components of the system leading to accurate projections for
future use patterns.

Case Study 5: Abu Dhabi, UAE

On the other hand, in Abu Dhabi, smart water management systems are properly integrated. One
initiative is the (SIMS) project that aims to inform farmers with adequate information about
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weather and soil moisture levels. Consequently, resulting in reducing water needs and also
increasing crop yields that resulting in high profits. (Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre, n.d).

Relations with Water Security (SDG 6)

The topic of this paper is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which is
ensuring availability and management of water and sanitation for all. The targets outlined in
SDG 6 are targets 6.4, which aims to substantially increase water use efficiency across all
sectors, and target 6.3, improving water quality by reducing pollution. SWMS utilize advanced
technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and machine learning algorithms to optimize water
usage and improve the quality of water supply. These systems are crucial in meeting the
indicators 6.4.1 and 6.3.1. For example, Smart systems can detect pipe leaks, leading to
improved water efficiency. Moreover, the data collected by these systems could be employed in
finding more water-saving solutions. This leads to improvement in water use efficiency
(indicator 6.4.1). In addition, the systems are capable of detecting water quality issues such as
high level of contaminants in real time; sending the data to authorities that are responsible for
quality maintenance and improvement (target 6.3.1).

Relations of the Topic with 2030 Agenda

The discussed topic of water availability, smart water management systems, and the
psychological impact of water scarcity on individuals and communities is directly linked to water
security and the 2030 Agenda. When water is not accessible to people, it can lead to serious
consequences such as conflicts, stress, and can even threaten lives. These issues could lead to
serious psychological impacts and distress, resulting in a dysfunctional society. SDG 3 ensures
healthy lives and promotes well-being for all at all ages, directly linking water to the overall
well-being of individuals, which also includes their mental health. To achieve that, smart
technologies are very-much needed to solve the roots of the issue, which contribute to optimizing
water usage, improving water quality, and reducing water wastage. Furthermore, it majorly
contributes to SDG 11, which ensures that cities adopt a sustainable approach to resource
management and are resilient when faced with natural disasters. Finally, the smart water
management systems have a strong bond with SDG 12, Responsible consumption and
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production. The smart irrigation systems, in particular, could be very productive in terms of
exponentially improving agriculture. That would mean more crops for the dollar spent in terms
of water costs. Also, this is similar in case of industry and manufacturing; the output per unit of
water is a vital area to consider. This means that the same amount of water could be used to
produce larger quantities of products without deteriorating this precious natural resource.

Major’s Role
A psychologist can be helpful when it comes to alleviating the burden of water scarcity and
help people manage the stress and anxiety accompanied with it. Furthermore, psychologists
study and pay close attention to human behavior; therefore, they are aware of the fact that
environmental conditions shape and affect behavior. A psychologist can assess people’s behavior
when it comes to water usage and advocate for change that would help promote water
conservation, including responsible usage when it comes to daily consumption of water, such as
shorter showers. On the other hand, Computer Science students are capable of developing the
smart technologies and maintaining them on a hardware and software level. The technologies
will monitor water usage, detect leaks, and manage water distribution more efficiently.
Additionally, Smart Water Management Systems demand a huge computing power. This could be
solved through cloud computing. Computer scientists have developed this innovative technology
to manage data at scale and make it accessible. A clear example of cloud computing is the
Amazon Workspaces. This platform permits creation of a personal computer on the virtual cloud
in another country. This technically allows promoted remote work and an ease of exchange of
data between employees of a company. The profoundness of this technology lies in its cheapness
(it could operate at cents per hour) which would make the implementation of Smart Water
Management Systems feasible. Certainly, this requires competent Computer Scientists to
contribute collectively to developing maintaining the technology. Similarly, Cybersecurity, being
a fundamental branch of computer science, is really involved. The sheer amount of data output of
the system is valuable, yet it could be exploited by third parties that intend harm to the citizens of
these cities if they get access to its data. Thus, it is mandatory that cybersecurity experts defend
the information fiercely.
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Future Use of Majors

As a future psychologist, I would develop intervention plans that promote mental well-being,
targeting the most vulnerable communities: those that are heavily affected by the lack of
resources, especially water. As a Computer Scientist, I plan to engage in entrepreneurship by
initiating large-scale company with the aid of the public sector to implement these technologies
on a national and even on a regional scale. This will create jobs, elevate the standards of living,
and contribute to achieving a water security. This is evident in multiple case studies, the ones
alike that of Singapore and Barcelona that were discussed in this paper.

Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, the problem of water scarcity and availability is gaining worldwide attention
due to its significant implications on communities, particularly in terms of physical and mental
well-being. As a result, urgent action is required to ensure the management of water resources.
Smart water management systems seem to be a promising solution, aiming to lessen the severity
of water scarcity and promoting water use efficiency. Public awareness campaigns are
recommended for two reasons: to promote healthy and sustainable water-use practices, and to
point out to the psychological consequences of water scarcity, which in turn could encourage
behavior change regarding water usage.

Future Work
For the future, disciplinary collaboration is needed among water management experts,
psychologists, computer scientists, and stakeholders to develop, implement, and invest in
sustainable solutions that aim at eradicating the enduring problem of water scarcity. It is crucial
to acknowledge that research should tackle the political and legal systems in Lebanon. This will
lead to actionable reform plans that will enable citizens of Lebanon to contribute to initiating
such systems.
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References

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