Community Perspectives on Sustainable Water Services in Rural Scotland

Overview/Background


As water resources become more challenged, significant effort is being invested in developing novel technologies and management approaches to deliver more sustainable water services. The challenge can be particularly acute for rural communities, where low population densities and dispersed infrastructure make it particularly difficult to deliver cost-effective water services. Rural communities can experience a range of challenges related to water services, including difficulties with drinking water quality, effluent disposal, and maintenance of treatment works and distribution system. There is a pressing need to explore innovative solutions for water services in these areas. However, along with the technical challenges, there are key governance questions that warrant exploration. In particular, there is a need for a better understanding of community expectations towards water services, and whether/how community members might adopt a greater role in their management.

These questions have become increasingly relevant as technological developments have made it possible to explore more decentralized solutions, such as assets that require little or no maintenance over extended periods, as well as innovative modular treatment options. There are also growing opportunities to explore more integrated ‘closed loop’ solutions that incorporate drinking water provision, wastewater treatment, energy generation (e.g. from waste heat or biogas) and nutrient recovery from wastewater to support agricultural production. However, understanding the true potential of such solutions is challenging due to the complexity of the governance and social factors at work.

The key challenge for this project is to develop a better understanding of community perspectives on, and expectations towards, sustainable rural water services, in order to help develop and deliver the most appropriate sustainable technological solutions and management approaches. To that end, working closely with Scottish Water, community members and other stakeholders (e.g. SEPA, local authorities) in an identified pilot community, this project will explore:
1. How ‘sustainability’, along with the nature and scope of ‘water services’, is understood in the context of rural communities
2. How community members perceive their involvement in the management of sustainable rural water services
3. How the balance of risks and responsibilities can/should be distributed between community members and other stakeholders
4. The potential (perceived) risks and benefits associated with different technological options and management scenarios for rural water (and energy) services
5. Different mechanisms and strategies for facilitating effective communication / engagement between the different stakeholders

The student will be based primarily at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, but could also spend extended periods of time at Cranfield University or conducting fieldwork, as required.

Doctoral Training Centre.

This higher research degree is associated with the Cranfield university’s Environment Doctoral Training Centre (DTC). The Environment DTC provides a focal point for engagement and academic discussion for all students involved in environment-related research at Cranfield. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge relating to the sector, which characterises our research portfolio.

A tailored programme of seminars and events alongside the generic core skills training programme, provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities with Cranfield’s wider research community.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper-second class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in human geography, rural studies, environmental science or a related discipline, and have a strong interest in developing their research expertise in human-environment-technology interactions, water management and sustainability. A background in developing and using social research methods (especially qualitative techniques) is desirable. The ideal candidate should be highly self-motivated, and should preferably have some familiarity with the context of rural communities in Scotland. The ability to work for long periods with limited supervision will be essential.