Related EU Projects

LIFE AERFIT aims to demonstrate an innovative adaptation technology to prevent damage from urban pluvial flooding. The main objective is to prove that FHVI is an effective adaptation strategy. In this regard, through the project’s actions and applications, the two main objectives are:

•To provide sound evidence of the effectiveness of FHVI to deal with extreme rainfall, as well as its wide applicability (i.e. replicability) and favourable implementation costs; and

•To disseminate the results and the applicability potential of the project to authorities and professionals throughout the EU.

Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results:

•A successful demonstration of the FHVI technique as a cost-effective adaptation strategy for climate change (extreme rainfall) and prevention of damage from pluvial flooding in urban areas;

•A reduction of frequency, duration and level of flooding events in Putten, the target being no water on the street at peak precipitation levels of a T10 event corresponding to a total quantity of 36 mm per hour;

•Improved quality of effluent at the wastewater treatment plant;

•Reduction of 5 200 m3/yr of discharge of excessive, untreated mixed rain and sewer water;

•Prevention of desiccation, through 46 800 m3/yr of water added to groundwater reserves;

•Resilience to spills (key in this respect is that a spill in a FHVI infiltration well can be ‘reversed’, i.e. used to pump back spills that penetrated the groundwater);

•Dissemination of project and monitoring results to stakeholders and target audiences;

•Creation of interest of at least 10 other European cities and municipalities to implement the FHVI technique to adapt to climate change; and

•Provision of a blueprint, facilitating rapid replication and transferability to other European cities and municipalities.

The main expected results of this project are as follows:

•Development of the UrbanProof toolkit, a web-based platform and decision-support tool for urban adaptation planning and community-based participation;

•Production of a toolkit administrator guide and tutorial video;

•Evaluation of the technical and economic viability of the toolkit;

•Identification and assessment of the likely impacts of climate change on the partner municipalities in Cyprus, Greece and Italy and development of local adaptation strategies for these municipalities;

•Endorsement by the municipalities of these strategies (local council approval);

•Implementation of green infrastructure projects in partner municipalities in Cyprus and Italy. These include green spaces, green roofs and permeable pavements in Strovolos, Lakatamia and Emilia. The expected impact of these measures is quantified as follows: Green roofs: runoff reduction of 38%; reduction of annual energy demand for heating/cooling by 7.9kW/m2/yr, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 4.3kg CO2 equivalent, reduction of ambient air temperature by 1°C; permeable pavements: runoff reduction of 20-30%, reduction of ambient air temperature by 1.5°C; greening areas: runoff reduction of 23-34%; urban agricultural gardens: runoff reduction of 10-50%; and

•Dissemination activities throughout the project’s lifespan to raise awareness of the project and its potential for replicability, including events, training seminars, a scientific conference and technical and scientific publications.

The CoSuDS project aimed at promoting the transition towards smart stormwater management from a collaborative perspective, bridging the gap between pilot implementation to long-term city strategy. The project co-developed a “CoSuDS Toolbox” used for defining transition pathways in cities, being applied at district level for a city in Spain and integrating multiple actors in the process through collaborative charrettes.

The CoSuDS project analysed alternatives at district scale in Castellón (approx. 170,000 inhabitants, medium-sized city in Eastern Spain) and provided local authorities with outcomes to make informed decisions in terms of energy efficiency, sustainability and risk mitigation, guiding their transition towards improved stormwater governance.

The CoSuDS project undertook collaborative charrettes involving all actors concerning urban development. (A charrette is an intensive planning session where local government, citizens, designers and other stakeholders collaborate for establishing solutions to a given challenge. It provides a forum for ideas, giving feedback to the designers.)

The CoSuDS project covered interactions among three subsystems: water (flood and pollution risks reduction and water efficiency), energy (reducing energy consumption in buildings and the urban water cycle) and built environment (providing additional social and environmental benefits).

https://www.iiama.upv.es/iiama/src/elementos/Proyectos/CKIC_COSUDS/CoSuDS_Final%20Report.pdf

LIFE CERSUDS is a demonstration project that puts into practice, evaluates and publicises Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in a context in which these systems are new or little known. In addition, it innovates by using ceramic material with a low commercial value in the development of permeable paving, being easily replicated in similar geo-economic areas.

The project’s main aim is improving cities’ abilities to adapt to climate change and promoting the use of green infrastructures in their urban planning through the development and implementation of a demonstrator consisting of a SuDS with low carbon emissions for the refurbishing of urban areas. The demonstrator’s permeable skin will be made up of an innovative system, which has a low environmental impact, based on the use of ceramic tiles with a low commercial value. This demonstrator will be sufficiently large in order to validate its technical and economic viability.

The project was approved in October 2016 by the European Commission in the LIFE programme and is expected to end in 2019. Currently, work is being done on developing the system and the implementation project, so that this presentation will present the project plan and the laboratory results of the ceramic system. This project is financed by the European Union Programme for the Environment and Climate Action LIFE 2014-2020 with reference LIFE15 CCA/ES/000091.

http://lifecersuds.eu/en/descarga-suscripcion/LIFE%20

CERSUDS.%20CERAMIC%20SUSTAINABLE%20URBAN%20DRAINAGE%20SYSTEM.pdf

The whole Mediterranean area is characteriszed by a strong need of new solutions able to provide sanitations services while reducing water use and wastewater discharge. The SWMED project focuses on optimising the per capita water consumption at household and urban level through the implementation of water saving devices, reuse of treated wastewater, rainwater harvesting, and a pool of technologies collectively known as Sustainable Water Management (SWM). The project has achieved the stated objectives primarily by the installation of Sustainable Water Management (SWM) in demonstration houses during house visits.

https://www.keep.eu/keep/project-ext/10834/SWMED?ss=3d3626826ba7d857bdc4d38ea697aef2&espon

The purpose of this study, commissioned by Environment Australia, was to examine the potential for, and impacts of, introducing a national mandatory water efficiency labelling (WEL) scheme and minimum water efficiency standards (WES) for appliances, fixtures and fittings as a method of reducing urban water consumption. One example of such a scheme is the National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Program (NAEEEP) where labelling and water performance requirements are specified in relevant Australian Standards, given effect by regulation and managed by government agencies.

The regulatory framework for implementation was outside the scope of this study. However, the study’s conclusions are based on the assumption that whatever framework is adopted, it would be no less effective in enforcing minimum product performance standards and mandatory labelling at the point of sale, than is the current State-based framework for energy labelling and standards.

The study suggested that mandatory labelling for water efficient products should be applied to shower heads, toilet suites (i.e. cisterns) and washing machines as the potential water savings are high, therefore being the most cost-effective. It was noted that water efficiency labelling was the most cost-effective for shower heads and washing machines. The study also recommends that mandatory labelling will also be introduced for dishwashers as their water consumption is rising, even though the potential water savings are lower.

George Wilkenfeld and Associates Pty Ltd (2003). A Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme for Australia. [online] Available at:

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.472.1367&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 29 Jan. 2018].

This paper outlines some of the actions being pursued in Portugal with a view to improve water efficiency in buildings and products. One such action is the AveiroDOMUS House of the Future which will be used to study various efficiency solutions for resources’ use in buildings, and to assess their economic and environmental value. The house has an advanced design and its main objective is to be built in accordance with sustainable building standards, ensuring proper interaction with local ecosystems and a good interior environment (air quality, absence of noise, comfortable temperature and humidity). Moreover, the house also aims to reduce the consumption of essential resources by choosing the appropriate materials, use renewable energy sources and optimize the water cycle. The hydrological cycle was optimized by incorporating sustainability principles such as water recycling and reutilization, the installation of low-flow fixtures and the use of rainwater, groundwater and salt water, the latter being abundant in the area where the house is to be built – the Aveiro Salt Lagoon. The house is used as a permanent research and development laboratory, open to both industry and the public. It is divided in three parts, one part is open to visitors, another part is inhabited and another one is under study. It is projected that the latter will support the study and development of a possible model for the certification of water efficiency of buildings in Portugal. Another initiative is that taken by universities and firms in the sector. This has led to the formation of an association (ANQIP – National Association for Quality in Building Installations) to decide on the implementation of a voluntary water-efficiency certification and labelling system for products.

Silva-Afonso, A. and Rodrigues, C. (n.d.). Water efficiency of products and buildings: the implementation of certification and labelling measures in Portugal. [online] Available at:

https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB11855.pdf [Accessed 29 Jan. 2018].

EcoWater addressed the development of meso-level eco-efficiency indicators for technology assessment through a systems' approach. The effort focussed on enhancing the understanding of the interrelations of innovative technology uptake in water use systems, and their economic and environmental impacts. Research addressed a selection of indicators appropriate for the assessment of system-wide eco-efficiency improvements, the integration of existing tools and assessment methods in a coherent modelling environment, and the analysis and characterisation of existing structures and policies. The foreseen development of an analytical framework was to support:

1. Systemic environmental impact assessments,

2.  Economic assessments,

3.  Analysis of value chains and actor interactions,

4. Technology implementation and uptake scenarios.

Four Case Studies assessed meso-level eco-efficiency improvements from innovative technologies in water systems for the textile industry, for energy production, for dairy production and the automotive industry. The main outputs included a validated and tested methodological framework that supports the four points mentioned above, an integrated toolbox for systems' eco-efficiency analysis, and policy recommendations for technology uptake and implementation. To ensure wide dissemination and applicability, the project organised activities to address different target audiences and to develop operational science-industry-policy links at the level of Case Studies and at wider EU and international scale.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1.1: Review and selection of eco-efficiency indicators to be used in the EcoWater Case Studies – Report

Deliverable 1.2: Technology inventory design and specifications – Report and Technology Inventory

Deliverable 1.3: Populated Technology Inventory – Report and Populated Technology Inventory

Deliverable 1.4: Review of existing frameworks and tools for developing eco-efficiency indicators - Report

Deliverable 1.5: Finalized Systemic Environmental Analysis Tool (SEAT) – Report

Deliverable 1.6: Finalized Economic Value chain Analysis Tool (EVAT) – Report

Deliverable 2.1: Value Chain Mapping of the Agricultural Water Systems – Report

Deliverable 2.2: Baseline eco-efficiency assessment for the analysed agricultural water systems - Report

Deliverable 2.3: Innovative Technologies for Eco-Efficiency Improvement in Agricultural Water Use - Report

Deliverable 2.4: Technology assessment and scenario analysis – Report

Deliverable 3.1: Value Chain Description of the Analysed Urban Water Systems - Report

Deliverable 3.2: Baseline eco-efficiency assessment in urban water systems – Report

Deliverable 3.3: Innovative technologies for eco-efficiency improvement - Report

Deliverable 3.4: Technology assessment and scenario analysis - Report

Deliverable 4.1: Description of value chains for industrial water use - Report

Deliverable 4.2: Description of value chains for industrial water use – Report

Deliverable 4.3: Innovative technologies for enhancing the eco-efficiency of water use in industries – Report

Deliverable 4.4: Technology assessment and scenario analysis - Report

Deliverable 5.1: Step-wise consolidated guidelines for the development of meso-scale eco-efficiency indicators - Report

Deliverable 5.2: Cross-comparison of Case-study Outcomes - Report

Deliverable 5.3: Functional design of the meso-scale eco-efficiency toolbox - Report

Deliverable 5.10: Finalized guidelines for the use of the EcoWater Toolbox - Report

Deliverable 5.11: Finalized guidelines for the use of the EcoWater Toolbox - Report

Deliverable 6.1: Synthesis report from the 1st Round of Case Study Events - Report

Deliverable 6.2: Synthesis report from the 2nd Round of Case Study Events – Report

Deliverable 6.3: Proceedings of the 1st targeted event Research links – Report

Deliverable 6.4: Report from the 2nd targeted event (Policy links) - Report

Deliverable 6.5: Report from the 3rd targeted event (Policy links) - Report

Deliverable 6.6: Conference Proceedings

Deliverable 6.7: Project Web Site - Report

Deliverable 6.8: Project Factsheet – Report

Dissemination:

Deliverable 6.10: 1st EcoWater Newsletter

Deliverable 6.11: 2nd EcoWater Newsletter

Deliverable 6.12: 3rd EcoWater Newsletter

Deliverable 6.13:  4th EcoWater Newsletter

Deliverable 6.14: EcoWater Science-Policy Briefs

Deliverable 6.15: Ecowater Product Fliers

In this article, several studies which were commissioned to assess the effectiveness of campaigns after their implementation are discussed. In order to be more effective, the article also discusses the role of construction and planning of water conservation campaigns. The role of ongoing evaluation when developing public information programs as demand management tools is also pointed out.

For the purposes of this article, public information campaign evaluations are defined as having an identifiable component of information or persuasion. Other policy evaluations pertaining solely to legislation for water-efficient appliances or introduction of pricing policies have been omitted, although technology and price included in water conservation “packages” have been discussed as appropriate. It is acknowledged, however, that the implementation of any new demand strategy imparts new information to the consumer as a matter of course.

Syme, G., Nancarrow, B. and Seligman, C. (2000). The Evaluation of Information Campaigns to Promote Voluntary Household Water Conservation. Evaluation Review, 24(6), pp.539-578.

The study has taken the implementation of traditional drainage techniques (hard drainage systems into sewage systems or separate surface drainage systems) as a baseline, and compared the costs and benefits of replacing traditional systems with SUDS . An initial assessment of SUDS cost and benefits showed that permeable paving costs were less on a lifecycle basis than those of traditional surfaces and have reduced maintenance costs. Water butts provide economic benefits via savings in water costs. On the other hand, it was found that other types of SUDS such as swales and filter drains tend to show a cost-benefit ratio of less than 1, therefore implying that they cost more and provide fewer benefits. Where relevant, these systems were applied at the end-of-life of the current traditional systems or hard surfaces. The available data on surface areas for undertaking SUDS retrofitting came from the Generalised Land Use database from the Communities and Local Government of the United Kingdom .

Environment Agency (2007). Cost-benefit of SUDS retrofit in urban areas. [online] Environment Agency. Available at:

Link

[Accessed 14 Feb. 2018].