Introduction to the problem

Peachland is expecting an alarming 300% population growth in the next 20 years. Presently, District of Peachland is concerned about sustaining the sudden surge of population. Ensuring the water supply is one of the key problems with respect to the increase in the population. Ensuring a sustainable water supply is associated with number of challenges such as aging infrastructure, water licencing issues, feasibility of using water from the Brenda mines, water quality standards, environmental flows, and claims by first nations on the water rights and Peachland water storage ability. Moreover, Peachland is interested in energy generation from their water system. Each of aforementioned challenges are quite different from each other.

Water is one of the most sensitive issues for the human. History shows that disputes on water had caused wars. Therefore, water issues should be dealt with utmost care. History shows, many bloody conflicts have risen due to water issues. As an example the bloody conflict in Darfur, Sudan, that began in 2003 and killed as many as 400,000 Africans, started, in part, over access to a diminishing water supply. Looking at Buddhist literature, over 2500 year back two tribes, Shakyas and Koliyas fought over water rights of Rohini river.

Engineering consultants have tried to address the problem using engineering approaches. They are doubtful about the solution mainly due to the multi-dimensionality the problem. Therefore, Peachland requires a solution beyond the rigid engineering methods. So far this problem was viewed from top to bottom. The major concern was on the water availability and water supply. District of Peachland has limited control on factors associated with the water supply. However, demand management was not considered as a solution. The 300% population increase could be used minimize the per-capita water consumption in Peachland by improving the performance in the household level.

Challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Interdisciplinary research is the key for laying the foundation to solve “wicked problems” . Team development is the key for establishing a high performing interdisciplinary team. However, due to tight squeezed projects curtails team members to go through the phases. This could prevent the team from arriving at the best solution. Rewards for achievement of the project goals makes tem members forget about differences and focus on exploring the solutions. Similarly, negative reinforcements too could push for solutions. Respecting each other`s opinion, thinking from the lens of other disciplines enable successful solving of socio technical problems. There are various challenges and opportunities associated with interdisciplinary exercise we pursued during the past month. Challenges and opportunities associated are dissected into different aspects.

Collaborative work: Disciplinary thinking curtails undertaking the key points raised by others due to lack of understanding.  This was the main challenge faced by the team. A dominating voice could present a mono disciplinary solution for this problem. Therefore, obtaining combining all the voices is a definite challenge. However, each discipline is having their strengths and weaknesses. Combined together this approach provides the optimal solution for a problem. Each term member should have a good understanding about the own discipline to avoid drawbacks with their own discipline.

Innovative possibilities for future exploration: Our solution included proposal of a model community. This concept integrates multiple aspects such as politics, engineering, sociology etc. Implementing this solution demands significant contribution from experts in the above disciplines. Many of the solutions that were proposed have been tested in other locations. However, whether the residents of Peachland are willing to adopt these changes is a real question.  If the community could successfully adopt the proposed initiatives, it would neutralize number of challenges that Peachland is currently anticipating (e.g. requirement of a tank for water storage). Moreover, this solution would attract diverse demographic to Peachland which would be a catalyst for further growth.

Our partners’ reaction to the action options presented to them: Each partner had specific agenda. As example District of Peachland was considered about the development of the municipality while Urban Systems were interested in creative solutions for energy generation. It is not clear that there will be combined discussion on this subject matter in the future. Therefore, after the proposed solutions it is important for all stakeholders to get-together and develop an action plan. This task would require significant contribution from all related entities. The interest shown by our partners is always a positive sign. Being a small municipality in Okanagan, Peachland could contribute to the global knowledge base.  It is interesting to see how the municipality would adopt these approaches in the future.