- 1Graz University of Technology, Institute of Human-Centered Computing, Graz, Austria
- 2Graz University of Technology, Institute of Urban Water Management and Landscape Water Engineering, Graz, Austria
- 3Independent Researcher, Graz, Austria
Various contemporary developments, such as changes in water demand and availability due to climate and demographic change, are challenging for water utilities. Raising awareness regarding these issues is essential not only for the general public but also for students in classrooms.
The EWA tool, a free online tool (available at https://sww-ewa.tugraz.at/) aimed at developing optimal designs for water supply systems under uncertain water demand availability, has been equipped with a flexible gamification system to support teachers and educators with this task. The tool provides a user-friendly interface through which hydraulic models can be uploaded, simulated, and optimized for different scenarios. It calculates performance indicators such as demand coverage or the number of unsupplied nodes to enable well-founded planning.
The embedded gamification system allows users to create realistic “challenges” that reflect complex water supply problems with a challenge editor. The generated challenges can be combined with custom models to provide a playful approach to problem-solving tailored to specific water supply systems. Success in challenges is rewarded with prizes, reinforcing the learning content and making planning an intuitive experience.
Students can solve individual challenges, such as a challenge where the population in a future area is growing, and the water supply systems need to be expanded to supply all nodes adequately. Tasks can also be created for varying operational conditions, such as fire situations or system failures.
The tool's simulation and gamification approaches make it an ideal teaching tool. Students, in particular, can use practical scenarios to better understand the complexities of water supply. At the same time, the tool promotes awareness of future challenges as users can see the impact of demographic and climate change on the systems.
Through this combination of strategic planning, gamification, and knowledge transfer, the EWA tool makes a valuable contribution to students' education and awareness in the classroom. It not only makes the complex requirements for a resilient water supply comprehensible but also conveys them in an engaging and interactive way.
How to cite: Arbesser-Rastburg, G., Stelzl, A., Adler, V., Camhy, D., Pirker, J., and Fuchs-Hanusch, D.: Integrating the EWA Tool into Teaching and Raising Awareness of Water Supply Challenges, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19579, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19579, 2025.
