Citation: Irfeey, A.M.M.; Alotaibi, B.A.; Najim, M.M.M.; Shah, A.A. Water Valuation in Urban Settings for Sustainable Water Management. Water 2023, 15, 3105. https:// doi.org/10.3390/w15173105 Academic Editor: Enedir Ghisi Received: 28 July 2023 Revised: 19 August 2023 Accepted: 28 August 2023 Published: 30 August 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). water Article Water Valuation in Urban Settings for Sustainable Water Management Abdul Munaf Mohamed Irfeey 1 , Bader Alhafi Alotaibi 2, * , Mohamed M. M. Najim 3 and Ashfaq Ahmad Shah 4,5 1 Technology Stream, Advanced Level Section, Zahira College Colombo, Orabi Pasha Street, Maradana, Colombo 01000, Sri Lanka 2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia 3 Faculty of Agriculture, Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University, Kampus Sinaut, Km 33, Jalan Tutong, Tutong TB1741, Brunei 4 School of Public Administration, Hohai University, 8 Fochengxi Road, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211100, China 5 Nanjing Research Center for Environment and Society, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China * Correspondence: balhafi@ksu.edu.sa; Tel.: +966-504240201 Abstract: This study examines water scarcity and quality deterioration in various components of the urban setting, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, residential buildings, and the recreational industries. This paper also analyzes various measures that can be used as valuation matrices to assess the quality and quantity of water consumption, as well as conservation practices and sustainable management strategies. The aim of this work is to enhance and encourage an increase in the value of consumed water through economistic, efficient, and sustainable approaches. The analysis includes the evaluation of measures such as price reform, adoption of efficient appliances, implementation of effective utilization techniques, reduction in water waste, treatment of wastewater, and employment of reuse and reclamation techniques. This article further discusses the multifaceted costs associated with the acquisition of water, emphasizing the need to consider not only economic factors but also environmental and social implications. This study examines the potential adverse effects of introducing value-added measures, specifically focusing on the impact of water pricing reforms on farmers and industrial manufacturers. The analysis highlights the potential increase in costs that these stakeholders may face as a result of such reforms. This study suggests that the implementation of subsidies can be an effective measure to mitigate the negative effects discussed. This article highlights the urgent global need for governments and international organizations to implement strict policies and regulations in order to preserve water resources and protect their inherent value and, also, emphasizes the importance of consumers understanding the true value of water in order to grasp its significance and scarcity. Keywords: water valuation; freshwater; water conservation; water price reforming 1. Introduction Rapid urbanization around the globe is escalating concerns over water scarcity. In- creasing population growth [1], nonviable water administration [2], deficient regulatory frameworks [3], inadequate infrastructure, suboptimal water utilization, and heightened competition for water resources across diverse domains [4] are all playing crucial roles in water scarcity. As, currently, half of the global population is residing in urban areas, by 2050, it may rise to 70% [5]. Therefore, the reduction in the quantity of water allocated to each person and the consequent deterioration in its quality are interrelated. The World Bank has projected a 50–70% rise in the demand for water in urban regions over the next three decades [6]. Water 2023, 15, 3105. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173105 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water