Abstract Water systems are experiencing dynamic societal demands and extreme environmental changes. The integration of modular water systems into existing centralized infrastructures, creating hybrid systems, could mitigate these challenges by enabling more resilient water management. However, the existence of technological alternatives has not changed the continuous reliance on centralized water infrastructure. Supportive policy instruments are key to foster the operation of modular technology within hybrid water systems. This article focuses on the role of substantive and procedural policy instruments for the successful operation of modular water systems within a hybrid water infrastructure. Based on Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), we can confirm the claim in the literature that relying on regulatory instruments is relevant for operating modular technology within hybrid systems. However, we also find combinations of policy instruments where regulatory instruments do not matter. Furthermore, we find that procedural instruments emphasizing stakeholder participation interplay with different substantive policy instruments to support the successful operation of modular systems.

中文翻译：

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在混合水系统中运行模块化技术的政策工具组合

摘要 水系统正在经历动态的社会需求和极端的环境变化。将模块化水系统集成到现有的集中式基础设施中，创建混合系统，可以通过实现更具弹性的水管理来缓解这些挑战。然而，技术替代方案的存在并没有改变对集中供水基础设施的持续依赖。支持性政策工具是促进混合水系统中模块化技术运行的关键。本文重点介绍了在混合水基础设施中模块化水系统成功运行的实质性和程序性政策工具的作用。基于定性比较分析 (QCA)，我们可以证实文献中的说法，即依赖监管工具与在混合系统中运行模块化技术相关。然而，我们也发现了监管工具无关紧要的政策工具组合。此外，我们发现强调利益相关者参与的程序工具与不同的实质性政策工具相互作用，以支持模块化系统的成功运行。