NRDC India’s Post

The true ecological cost of water is captured when we return it to nature in the same quantity and quality that we appropriated it in. There are crucial factors to keep in mind.” writes S. Vishwanath, our founder, in his latest article for Civil Society Magazine. He discusses the need to balance water as both a human right and an economic good, offering critical insights into the future of urban water management. Read the full article to explore how sustainable management, pricing, and legal frameworks can shape the future of water in our cities: https://lnkd.in/dVrVVa5g

Whole heartedly agree! We know what to do… Now we need to embed green/blue infrastructure and NbS into National and city-wides policies. A strategic green infrastructure network approach is needed at the catchment scale which can only be guided at a regional/national level. This could then be broken down into individual sites and public vs private space requirements to create space for water and reduce flooding. #worldwaterday2024 #greenblueinfrastructure #naturebasedsolutions #policymaking

For World Water Day 2024 we asked Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning at the University of Waikato, for his thoughts on an issue water-related that in his opinion would make a difference to our future cities and towns. Iain has been working closely with Graham Haughton, Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at The University of Manchester. Graham's research interests include sustainable urban development, urban regeneration, regional development, and water. Iain and Graham have penned an article for us on their thoughts on the importance of increasing permeability within our cities. They highlight the challenge is to move beyond discussing how to manage flooding and embed the various flood reduction practices that we know are effective in national and city-scale policies. They argue what is lacking is not ideas, but a clear strategic approach to application, funding and targets. They propose a 10% target for increased urban permeability to help prevent flooding, reduce the number of homes at risk, and help our insurance and drainage systems to cope with more extreme weather patterns. #WorldWaterDay2024 #urbanpermeability #publicdomain #privatedomain

This is a great opinion piece - a national or city approach to implement a 10% stormwater retention rate on site, seems very doable, especially when we already know what works and what can achieve this. For example, green or living roofs have been proven to remove up to 80% of rainwater from entering the stormwater infrastructure after an event (NZ and overseas research is already widely available to support this). Yes it might add some additional cost upfront, but this additional cost can be recouped later through higher property values, for example (again lots of research from overseas to support this). Weighed up against not managing water, flooding of people’s homes, the long term impacts on insurance costs and impacts on future generations, it seems obvious, right? Yes, let’s start the conversation. #greenroofsnz #greenroofs #greeninfrastructure #wgic2024

Catchment-Based Approach Urban Working Group: Asks of our new Government The Catchment Based Approach Urban Water Group (CUWG) has ten asks of our new Government which we think are urgently needed to manage water in an integrated, efficient way to achieve multiple benefits: improving water quality, biodiversity and health and wellbeing whilst reducing flood risk and mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Our asks are: 1.    Fully implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Act 2010. 2.    A comprehensive, independent review of water management in its entirety, encompassing urban water. 3.    Provide adequate resources to delivery bodies to achieve sustainable, integrated water management. 4.    Improve the management of harmful highways runoff. 5.    Provide enhanced funding for CaBA Catchment Partnerships. 6.    Develop a national strategy for retrofitting sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). 7.    Make green and blue infrastructure standards compulsory for all local plans and new developments. 8.    Facilitate a more holistic approach to Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). 9.    Provide the resources and incentive to manage and resolve misconnections. 10. Stop wetwipes getting into sewers.

Last week Cal Cities provided robust input on updated draft regulations that aim to reduce water usage in urban areas over the long term. The updated regulations address many of Cal Cities' initial concerns. Learn more. #CalCitiesDelivers https://lnkd.in/gs5XS9Mb

🌧️ Importance of Drainage in Housing Projects 🏡 Effective drainage systems are indispensable in housing projects, ensuring proper management of rainwater flow and mitigating potential risks. Here's why prioritizing drainage in housing developments is paramount: Mitigating Flood Risks: A well-designed drainage system minimizes the risk of floods and waterlogging, safeguarding residents and properties against potential damages. Public Health Protection: Proper drainage prevents stagnant water accumulation, which can serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, thereby reducing public health hazards. Enhancing Quality of Life: Residents in properly drained environments enjoy a higher quality of life, free from the disruptions and health concerns associated with flooding and water stagnation. Environmental Preservation: Adequate drainage infrastructure contributes to soil conservation and reduces the impact of runoff on natural water bodies, thus promoting environmental sustainability. In line with these principles, Michel Engenharia is now spearheading drainage projects in housing developments, ensuring the integration of efficient drainage solutions for safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities. Let's prioritize drainage solutions to create safer, healthier, and more resilient living spaces. 🌱💧 #HousingDevelopment #DrainageSystems #EnvironmentalSustainability #Civilengineering #civilengineer #costestimation #drainage #remotework #remote

About 1/3 of the world's urban population faces water scarcity - it will be 1/2 by 2050 without infrastructure and policy adjustments which every government can afford. Urbanization has complemented economic development for years. From 1950-2020, the proportion of our global human population living in urban areas has increased from 29.6% -> 56.2%. Conservative estimates place this number at 68.4% come 2050 (only 27 years from now). This will create water scarcity at an unprecedented rate, because 1) many more people must compete for water from the same infrastructure that once supplied fewer people and 2) the global fresh water supply continues to shrink due to industrial consumption, natural habitat destruction, and soil erosion from rising global temperatures. This creates uglier and uglier realities for more and more people - without enough water, people go malnourished and undeveloped, if they do not die from thirst, which many already do (3.5 million die/year from poor access to fresh water). What can be done? Coastal cities can invest in desalination plants. A simple solution for some cities is to build larger reservoirs of water and institute policy which limits water use. A great deal of water may be saved by managing how urban and suburban land is managed, especially in areas which could never naturally support lawns without constant irrigation. Groundwater could be exploited at a larger scale, though this would require fracking and similar operations to scale down. We can also adjust the distribution of our populations - many people live in naturally water-scarce areas. Many of these approaches will be costly. However, when compared to the long-term benefits reaped from the massive increase in wellness of the world's urban populations, the outcome is most certainly one which adds to GDP.

This map depicts global water scarcity, highlighting stressed river basins. Notably, these areas align with population shifts, rapid economic growth, widespread poverty, infrastructure development, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. The diverse nature of challenges and risks in water management is evident through the highlighted situations 💧 Physical scarcity: This is defined as the low availability of water per capita Economic scarcity: This is related to lack of infrastructure for a reliable supply info@wateroffsets.co.uk #WaterScarcityMap #WaterScarcity #WaterOffsets #WaterNeutrality #WaterStress #WaterWise #WaterPreservation #SaveWater #GreywaterRecycling #WaterEfficient #Architect #UKBusiness #WaterShortages #WaterSolutions #CommercialSpace #PlanningConsultant #Developer #Landowner #UKResidential

A well-designed and properly maintained drainage system is a crucial component of urban infrastructure. We all know that beyond preventing flooding, a functional drainage system plays a vital role in safeguarding public health and protecting the environment. By efficiently managing stormwater runoff, drainage systems help reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, erosion, and pollution in our communities. In conclusion, understanding the significance of drainage systems in urban planning is essential for sustainable development. Let's Interact➖➖ Are you living in urban areas? How can you build and maintain effective drainage solutions that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable urban environment? #urbaninfrastructure #sustainability #buildzonehousingsolutions