Description
Download – Resilient European Cities: Nature-based Solutions for Clean Water
Title: Resilient European Cities: Nature-based Solutions for Clean Water
This report examines how European cities can turn to nature-based solutions (NbS) to protect the water resources on which they depend and, in so doing, contribute to enhancing environmental quality in upstream watersheds. Existing water supply systems in Europe depend heavily on costly grey infrastructure: most cities rely primarily on engineered solutions to secure their drinking water supplies. Even though access to water and sanitation is very high for European citizens, investment needs for the water sector in Europe are substantial. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an average of EUR 100 billion was invested annually across the 28 EU Member States (MS) between 2011 and 2015. To comply with EU legislation and to make their water supply systems more efficient and resilient, all Member States will need to invest an additional EUR 289 billion in water services by 2030.
Yet, one type of investment that is not sufficiently considered at present consists of protecting, sustainably managing and restoring watersheds. These are natural infrastructure that can filter, clean and recharge water supplies to ensure the provision of sufficient, clean and affordable water for cities and other users that depend on water, including farmers, industry and the environment itself. Land use within catchment areas has a major influence on determining whether watersheds are healthy and can deliver these environmental services.
Catégorie : Gestion des ressources en eau
