The ubiquity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications has led to their widespread adoption across diverse domains like education, self-driving cars, healthcare, and more. AI is making its way into the industry, beyond research and academia. Concurrently, the water sector is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by challenges such as water demand forecasting, wastewater treatment, asset maintenance and management, and water quality assessment. Water utilities are at different stages in their journey of digital transformation, and its decision-makers, who are non-expert stakeholders in AI applications, must understand the technology to make informed decisions. The non-expert stakeholders should know that while AI has numerous benefits to offer, there are also many challenges related to data, model development, knowledge integration, and ethical concerns that should be considered before implementing it for real-world applications. Civil engineering is a licensed profession where critical decision-making is involved. Failure of critical decisions by civil engineers may put their license at risk, and therefore trust in any decision-support technology is crucial for its acceptance in real-world applications. This research proposes a framework called aiWATERS (Artificial Intelligence for the Water Sector) to facilitate the successful application of AI in the water sector. Based on this framework, we conduct pilot interviews and surveys with various small, medium, and large water utilities to capture their current state of AI implementation and identify the challenges faced by them. The research findings reveal that most of the water utilities are at an early stage of implementing AI as they face concerns regarding the blackbox nature, trustworthiness, and sustainability of AI technology in their system. The aiWATERS framework is intended to help the utilities navigate through these issues in their journey of digital transformation. / Master of Science / The widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in various industries like education, self-driving cars, healthcare, and more has spurred interest in its potential application in the water sector. As the water sector undergoes a digital transformation to address challenges such as water demand forecasting, wastewater treatment, asset management, and water quality assessment, water utilities need to understand the benefits and challenges of AI technology. Automating water sector operations through AI involves high risk as it has a huge ecological, economic, and sociological impact on society. Water utilities are non-expert end users of AI and they should be aware of its challenges such as data management, model development, domain knowledge integration, and ethical concerns when implementing AI for real-world applications. To address these challenges, this research proposes a framework called aiWATERS (Artificial Intelligence for the Water Sector) to help water utilities successfully apply AI technology in their system. We conduct pilot interviews and surveys with small, medium, and large water utilities across the United States to capture their current AI practices and challenges. The research results led us to find that water utilities are still at an early stage of adopting AI in their system and are faced with issues such as blackbox nature of the technology, its trustworthiness for real-world application, and sustainability at the utilities. We believe that aiWATERS will serve as a relevant guide for water utilities and will help them overcome current AI-based challenges.

This study analyses whether urbanization and poverty have any importance for private sector participation (PSP) in the water sector, in developing countries. In the beginning of the 1990’s there was a surge in the interest of the private sector to participate in water and sanitation projects, after a long period of public dominance. There is a large need for investments since much of the population in developing countries does not have access to water and sanitation services and the demand is increasing. At the same time the water sector is prone to inefficiencies resulting from externalities and natural monopoly characteristics, and is therefore often highly regulated. A negative binominal regression model is used for the analysis. The dependent variable is the number of water and sanitation projects with private sector participation in a country. The independent variables are population, GDP/capita, aid, debt, water resources, government effectiveness, degree of urbanization and degree of poverty. The main results are that urbanization is positively significant for PSP in the water sector, while poverty has no significant effect.

<p>This study analyses whether urbanization and poverty have any importance for private sector participation (PSP) in the water sector, in developing countries. In the beginning of the 1990’s there was a surge in the interest of the private sector to participate in water and sanitation projects, after a long period of public dominance. There is a large need for investments since much of the population in developing countries does not have access to water and sanitation services and the demand is increasing. At the same time the water sector is prone to inefficiencies resulting from externalities and natural monopoly characteristics, and is therefore often highly regulated.</p><p>A negative binominal regression model is used for the analysis. The dependent variable is the number of water and sanitation projects with private sector participation in a country. The independent variables are population, GDP/capita, aid, debt, water resources, government effectiveness, degree of urbanization and degree of poverty. The main results are that urbanization is positively significant for PSP in the water sector, while poverty has no significant effect.</p>

In recent years, the eThekwini region has experienced a deterioration in the service delivery of water by its municipalities. A review of available literature indicated that in the current era of managing for all stakeholders, effective stakeholder management was a key area of focus for service delivery improvement. Stakeholder management is context specific, therefore the purpose of this study was to identify and understand the characteristics of leaders required for effective stakeholder management in the eThekwini Water Sector. An exploratory, qualitative, embedded case study approach was adopted since this area of study has been relatively unexplored. A cross-sectional time horizon combined with purposive sampling was used to undertake 16 semi-structured interviews with senior managers within the eThekwini Water Sector, ensuring diversity in the knowledge and views obtained. This study has determined that effective stakeholder engagement entails ensuring that stakeholders are identified correctly, common goals amongst stakeholders are agreed upon, and all engagements and communication are documented and structured. This study further confirms the view that leaders within the eThekwini Water Sector have a wide variety of stakeholders to manage, and that one of the main characteristics required by leaders for effective stakeholder management is the ability to manage relationships. These findings are illustrated through the development of two conceptual frameworks which can be used by leaders in the eThekwini Water Sector to effectively manage stakeholders, as well as scholars for future research. / Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The last two decades witness that water is a politicized issue. The process of globalization has brought into existence a hierarchal structure in which the World Bank and the International Monterey Fund work in accordance to neoliberal theory. Development is, as a component in this process, placed high on the agendas of these multilateral institutions, and has become a global concern. The case of Bolivia’s water sector privatization has problematized the global consensus on neoliberal theory and its attempts to ensure development. The international system is a set of structures that shape the process of globalization, thus these have to be explored in order to understand the relation between neoliberalism, development, and equity. By placing Bolivia’s water sector privatization in the center of the research, concepts become researchable, while the neoliberal theory on development is tested. The policies of privatization did not succeed in targeting the poorest groups and equity was overseen. The study finds that the opposing views on whether privatization is a mean to achieve development are based in a clash on what development is. Dependency and power relations cannot be overseen. The clash is, in turn, translated into the relation between the global and the local, which is also shaped by contradiction in the context of globalization. Globalization is a process with a severe problem: there is no room for equity.

This thesis adopts a governance theoretical framework to analyse and explain the complex and non-linear nature of water governance arrangements in Egypt. Drawing on empirical data collected from fieldwork with key water stakeholders in Egypt, and using a documentary analysis of the major water policy documents, the thesis examines the interplay dynamics between water agents and structures at national, regional and international levels. The work rests on the observation that water governance arrangements in Egypt have changed over the last two decades to denote an ever-growing role for non-state actors. The historic domination and monopoly of state actors in water policy decisions is no longer suitable for addressing the emerging water challenges. Consequently, the water crisis in Egypt is perceived as a governance issue that calls for the collaboration of state and non-state actors. In order to inform the ontological, epistemological and methodological basis of the thesis, the governance analytic framework is combined with theoretical insights from structure-agency accounts. By combining theoretical and empirical enquiry, this work attempts to contribute to and advance beyond the existing literature in three ways. First, it offers one of the first attempts to organise an empirical in-depth case study analysis of the water governance arrangements in Egypt using a multi-level structure-agency framework. Second, it provides a systematic examination and mapping-out of the new water governance systems in Egypt. Third, it presents a rigorous evaluation of the impact of water governance regimes at the regional and international levels on water policy decisions at the national level. Following on from the case study analysis, and guided by the developed theoretical framework, this research has concluded that the Egyptian water governance is dominated by powerful and influential government water bodies. Therefore, any attempt to change existing governance arrangements has to be very carefully planned, taking into account the interaction between water policy agents and the existing water structure. Thus, this thesis will appeal to a diverse audience, including public policy and water governance scholars as well as water experts and policy makers.

<p>1.1 billion people are today living without sustainable access to improved water. The debate over the water sector has been dominated by the discussion over whether public or private actors are the most competent to manage it. In this paper the arguments pro and contra the two positions are presented to try to overview the debate and to try to find new ways to approach the question of the people living without clean water. By examining possible alternatives towards the discussion of public and private actors, it might result in some new approaches on how to move closer towards a solution. One alternative is local, small- scale projects which focus on the situation of the targetgroup in most need. I have in this paper tried to find signs of that the debate is changing in a way that would bring positive outcomes for the people living without access to improved water. The debate is changing, both the private as well as the public sector is changing their ways of working and the alternative approach is increasing its influence. Hopefully the debate can move away from the discussion of ideology and acknowledge the strengths of each other to result in possible solutions of the water problems. With the increasing interest and concern for the question of water there is thus an opportunity for a change in the debate that would benefit the ones living without sustainable access to improved water.</p>

Šis baigiamasis darbas apibrėžia išsamios rizikos analizės ir efektyvaus rizikos valdymo svarbą sėkmingam vandentvarkos infrastruktūros rekonstrukcijos ir išplėtimo investicinių projektų įgyvendinimui. Darbo objektas – vandentvarkos sektoriaus infrastruktūros rekonstrukcijos ir išplėtimo investicinių projektų rizikos. Darbo tikslas – atlikti išsamią vandentvarkos sektoriaus infrastruktūros rekonstrukcijos ir išplėtimo investicinių projektų rizikos analizę ir pateikti rizikos valdymo vertinimą. Darbo struktūra: rizikos sąvokų ir charakteristikų apibrėžimas, rizikos identifikavimo, kokybinės ir kiekybinės analizės metodų apžvalga, pagrindinių rizikos valdymo strategijų pristatymas, dviejų etapų tyrimo imties suformavimas, identifikuojant 3 pasirinktų vandentvarkos infrastruktūros rekonstrukcijos ir išplėtimo investicinių projektų rizikas ir atliekant identifikuotų rizikų kokybinę analizę, projektų rizikos modelių analizė, naudojant Primavera Pertmaster kompiuterin�� rizikos analitikos programą su integruotomis kaštų ir tvarkaraščio analizėmis, darbo hipotezių analizavimas, remiantis tyrimo rezultatais, ir projetų rizikso valdymo rekomendacijų pateikimas. Darbo rezultatai rodo, kad išsami rizikos analizė ir aktyvus rizikos valdymas užtikrina didelių tvarkaraščio ir kaštų nukrypimų nuo planuotų išvengimą. Projektų sėkmės užtikrinimas rizikos valdymu, kitų metodų pritaikymas, detalių rizikos valdymo planų parengimas galėtų būti tolesnės šio darbo temos tyrimo kryptys. / This paperwork defines the importance of comprehensive risk analysis and efficient risk management for successful implementation of water sector infrastructure reconstruction and extention investment projects. The object of the work is risks of water sector infrastructure reconstruction and extention investment projects. The goal of the work is to prepare a comprehensive risk analysis of water sector infrastructure reconstruction and extention investment projects and their risk management evaluation. The structure of the workis following: risk terms and characteristics are defined, methods of risk identification, qualitative and quantitative analyses are overviewed, the main risk management strategies are presented, research data sample is formed of 3 selected water sector reconstruction and extension investment projects risks in two identification and qualitative analysis of identified risks stages, projects risk models are analysed using Primavera Pertmaster risk analytics tool with integrated shedule and costs analyses, the hypotheses of the work are analysed based on research results and risk management recomendations are prepared. The results of the work shows that comprehensive risk analysis and active risk management ensures avoidance of schedule and costs variations. The further work extention could be research on project success ensurance through risk management, adoption of other methods and preparation of detailed risk management plans.

Magistro baigiamajame darbe išanalizuota ir įvertinta Europos Sąjungos parama vandentvarkos sektoriui Lietuvoje, vandentvarkos sektoriaus teisinio reglamentavimo pagrindai, iškeltos sektoriaus teisinio reguliavimo ir ekonominio gyvybingumo problemos, Europos Sąjungos Sanglaudos fondo paramos įtaką šiam sektoriui bei pateikti pasiūlymai, kaip spręsti sektoriaus problemas ir užtikrinti, kad ES parama skatintų teigiamą sektoriaus reformą. Pirmoje darbo dalyje teoriniu aspektu tiriamas Lietuvos Respublikos poreikis naudotis Europos Sąjungos parama, ES ISPA ir Sanglaudos fondų reikalavimai ir jų pritaikymas Lietuvoje, apžvelgiama fondų valdymo sistema ir finansuojamos vandentvarkos sektoriaus priemonės. Antroje dalyje nagrinėjamas vandentvarkos sektoriaus reguliavimas Lietuvoje, Sanglaudos fondo paramos planavimo ir skirstymo principai, įvertinama paramos teikimo tvarkos trūkumui ir privalumai ir Sanglaudos fondo poveikis šiam sektoriui. / Master’s work covers analysis and assessment of the European Union assistance to water sector in Lithuania, basics of water sector legal regulation, identification of problems related to the sector’s legal framework and economic viability, assessment of EU Cohesion fund impact on this sector and submission of proposals how to solve those problems and ensure that EU assistance has a positive effect on propmotion of the reform in this sector. In the first part of the work a need for the Republic of Lithuania to use the European Union assistance, requirements of EU ISPA and Cohesion funds as well as their adoptation in Lithuania is analysed and review on the funds’ management system and measures financed in the water sector is presented. The second part of the work analyses regulation of water sector in Lithuania, principles of planning and allocation of Cohesion fund assistance. It also assesses shortages and benefits of the current system of assistance distribution and impact of Cohesion fund to water sector.

1.1 billion people are today living without sustainable access to improved water. The debate over the water sector has been dominated by the discussion over whether public or private actors are the most competent to manage it. In this paper the arguments pro and contra the two positions are presented to try to overview the debate and to try to find new ways to approach the question of the people living without clean water. By examining possible alternatives towards the discussion of public and private actors, it might result in some new approaches on how to move closer towards a solution. One alternative is local, small- scale projects which focus on the situation of the targetgroup in most need. I have in this paper tried to find signs of that the debate is changing in a way that would bring positive outcomes for the people living without access to improved water. The debate is changing, both the private as well as the public sector is changing their ways of working and the alternative approach is increasing its influence. Hopefully the debate can move away from the discussion of ideology and acknowledge the strengths of each other to result in possible solutions of the water problems. With the increasing interest and concern for the question of water there is thus an opportunity for a change in the debate that would benefit the ones living without sustainable access to improved water.