Duncan A. Thomas, Research Associate, PREST, University of Manchester, UK and Roger R. Ford, former Associate Dean (Academic Enterprise) and Professor of Innovation and Technology Strategy, University of Salford, UK

• Contents: 1. Introducing the Crisis of Innovation in Water and Wastewater 2. Water’s Pervasive Role in the Development of Global Society 3. Technology and Innovation for Socio-economic Growth 4. Historical Development and Evolution of the UK Water Industry 5. Water Industry Technology and Innovation Frozen in Time 6. Potential for Sustainable Development in the Water Sector 7. Instances of the Crisis of Innovation in the UK 8. International Illustrations of the Crisis of Innovation 9. A New Paradigm and a New Programme of Action 10. Transforming the Inertia of Inevitability into Sustainability Appendix: Overview of Evidence Sources References Index

'This is an extremely well-researched and documented book. The authors' hypothesis is that the current water and wastewater sector is failing the populations of the western-world by clinging to orthodox and short-term visions of new technology and innovation, and also failing the developing nations by believing that delivery of western-world high-technology solutions is a contribution to humanitarian development. This is the "crisis of innovation". To many practitioners in the water industry the book will be perceived to be hypercritical (of the "incrementalism, conservative and dogged traditionalism") of the sector, but in fact it is stimulating and positive. In the latter chapters an alternate more holistic model of water development is described. There needs to be a movement from large, central infrastructure resources to distributed systems that are more appropriate to local needs and can be coupled with environmentally sustainable energy sources and practices.'