The guidebook contains a WDM typology that has been developed by the authors, following a systematic literature review of academic and non-academic literature sources.

The typology comprises 56 indicators, which are classified into four different categories of WDM applications, namely (1) water losses; (2) economic instruments; (3) non-price mechanisms; and (4) alternative water supply systems. Alternative water supply systems do not reduce water demand, and thus, they will not be discussed in detail. However, they alleviate the need for water abstraction and thus strengthen water security. Advances in treatment processes for different types of water supply systems have further expanded the range of alternative supply options for differentiated end uses; improve the effectiveness of systems to treat and reclaim water to attain or exceed public health and environmental standards; and reduce the economic cost of adoption. (Table 4.1). 

Table 4.1 Water demand management indicators

The following sections discuss the key WDM typology measures that are consistent with WDM practices recommended in most available international guidelines. These include those from international organisations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Union Regional Development Fund (EU ERDF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and water associations such as the International Water Association (IWA).