Our Land and Water National Science Challenge’s Post

💧Today, we're sharing an important document in the field of water allocation ➡ "Implementation of Water Allocation in the EU."💧 🌍 Prepared with input from the ad-hoc technical group on Droughts and Water Scarcity under the EU Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the Water Framework Directive, this report reviews water allocation mechanisms across EU Member States, highlighting challenges and showcasing examples. 🔍 Some of the Key Points: ◾Diverse understandings of water allocation ◾National contexts ◾Success stories ◾ Measures to implement water allocation mechanisms Read the full report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dPETrZDj #WaterManagement #EU #Sustainability #WEACTeu Publications Office of the European Union

🌊 Government Announces Independent Water Commission 🌊 The announcement of an independent water commission by the government, chaired by Sir John Cunliffe, has sparked a significant reaction. CIWEM has expressed a mixed response. While welcoming the initiative, CIWEM's policy director Alastair Chisholm points out that crucial elements are missing which could undermine the review's long-term impact. CIWEM's own recent report, "A Fresh Water Future," highlighted the urgent need for an all-encompassing review of water management in the UK. The emphasis is not just on the water industry, but on broader factors like agricultural intensification, urban development, and climate change. These influences are barely referenced in the review's scope, which currently risks overlooking the integrated nature of water systems. As a recruiter in the engineering sector, it's clear that robust and integrated regulatory frameworks are essential for investments in sustainable infrastructure. Despite these reservations, the announcement is a step in the right direction. The commission's inclusion of catchment-level strategic planning is promising. However, to truly maximise the opportunity, the review must adopt a holistic approach, integrating agriculture, housing, and transport policies. Future-proofing our water management practices will require broad-based strategies to protect our environment and enhance resilience against climate pressures. Your thoughts? Comment below or get in touch to continue the conversation. Visit www.alexander-assoc.co.uk for more insights. #engineering #WaterManagement #ShesAnEngineer

The EU has significantly improved water quality monitoring in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine through the 'EU4Environment - Water Resources and Environmental Data' programme. This initiative has enhanced monitoring capacities to align with EU standards, incorporating comprehensive ecological monitoring and providing extensive training for local experts. The programme has extended data collection to include surface water, groundwater, and river biology, ensuring accurate water quality assessments and supporting effective water management. Eastern European water quality monitoring backed by EU support has paid dividends for these countries. With the UK water system in crisis, perhaps it's time to focus on enhancing its own water monitoring processes. #waterquality #environmentalprotection #sustainability #watermanagement

All surface water bodies in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia and Sweden are failing to achieve a good chemical status between 2015 and 2021. Only 37% of Europe’s surface waters achieved ‘good or high ecological status’. This means a vast majority of Europe’s water bodies still fails to meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. The new report Europe’s State of Water 2024 that was published on the 15th of October shows that the state of Europe's water bodies in 19 Member States is not good.

Understanding the Context: Guidelines vs. Acceptable Ranges in Water Quality Monitoring In water quality monitoring, comparisons are fundamental. Whether it’s against established guidelines or acceptable ranges. But what determines which approach we use? 1. Comparing to Guidelines: Guidelines such as the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) or Government of Alberta (GOA) standards provide scientifically derived thresholds for water quality parameters to protect aquatic life, human health, or other uses. These are our go-to benchmarks when evaluating compliance, potential environmental impacts, or regulatory adherence. For example, parameters like dissolved oxygen or metals such as aluminum are typically screened against these chronic or acute guidelines to identify risks to ecosystems. 2. Using Acceptable Ranges: In some cases, acceptable ranges, rather than specific guidelines, become more relevant. These ranges often reflect natural variability in baseline conditions or specific project-related objectives. They are particularly useful in baseline studies, assessing natural background concentrations, or evaluating the effects of industrial activities in areas without stringent guidelines. For instance, parameters like total suspended solids (TSS) or pH may be compared to a site-specific acceptable range derived from historical data, as natural fluctuations often exceed generic guideline values without indicating adverse impacts. When to Use Which Approach: - Guidelines: Regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and decision-making for environmental protection. - Acceptable Ranges: Baseline studies, trend analyses, and understanding natural variability. By tailoring the approach to the context, we ensure more accurate and meaningful assessments. Both strategies have their strengths, and the key is knowing when to use each to support sustainable decision-making. #WaterQuality #EnvironmentalMonitoring #ScienceInAction #GuidelinesVsRanges

Dear LinkedIn Community, I am thrilled to reintroduce you to the Constructed Wetland Association (CWA), an organization that exists to promote the application of Constructed Wetland technology for water pollution control. 📣 About CWA: For those unfamiliar with the association, the Constructed Wetland Association (CWA) is a professional association, representing all those who are interested in using wetlands and those practicing in the field of constructed wetland technology. Here is a link to our website: https://lnkd.in/eeVHYU8r 🤝 Join the Conversation: We invite professionals, researchers, enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about sustainable water management and nature-based solutions to join the conversation. 📅 Upcoming Events: Stay tuned for upcoming events, webinars, and conferences where we will delve into the latest research, case studies, and innovations in constructed wetland technology. Your participation will contribute to the growth of knowledge and drive positive change. 💡 Get Involved: Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting your journey in the field, there are numerous ways to get involved with CWA. Follow our page for updates, engage in discussions, and explore opportunities to collaborate on projects that align with our shared goals. 🌍 Connect with Us: Let's build a global network of like-minded individuals working towards a common purpose. Connect with us on LinkedIn, join our discussions, and let's together create a world where constructed wetlands are recognized as key players in sustainable water management. Thank you for your attention!! #wetlands #sustainability #watermanagement #environmentalconservation #wastewatertreatment #nbs #neutrality https://lnkd.in/eeVHYU8r

Ending the week on a high! This morning, our Chief Executive Allan Prangnell Prangnell delivered a dynamic keynote presentation on our efforts to prepare New Zealand's first ever wastewater environmental performance standards – a game changer for our country. Here are some key takeaways: 🔍 We are working with the sector and industry experts to design the standards, set to launch in 2025. Our goal is to ensure they are robust and appropriately calibrated to New Zealand’s unique needs. 📅 In March next year, we plan to publish cost estimates and begin consulting on draft standards. 💧 Priority areas covered will include: Discharge of treated wastewater to water - Beneficial reuse of biosolids to land - Discharge of treated wastewater to land. Did you know that 74% of the population is connected to a wastewater treatment plant that discharges to the ocean? We’ll all be hearing much more about wastewater standards in the months to come! A huge thank you to the Water New Zealand team for hosting another jam-packed and inspirational conference. #WaterNewZealand #WastewaterStandards #SafeWater

With large changes in traditional groundwater resources, the time is ripe for innovation in the water resources sector. Regardless of your take on regulation of resources, water costs will quickly make exciting technologies viable. https://lnkd.in/earkpuRb

Water scarcity is a challenge that knows no borders; it is intimately linked to environmental, political, and geographical factors. New research from Stockholm University highlights the hidden risks to our water supply when we consider the source of rainupwind governance and environmental conditions. By understanding these interconnected relationships, we can better address the strains on global water security. Read more: #WaterScarcity #Sustainability #GenWaterTech

Are you interested in observing the effects of (security, economic, and environmental) policies on water governance systems? Are you intrigued by how these factors alter the 'fit' of such systems? If so, we are pleased to inform you that our latest article, which explores the impact of vertical (institutional) reforms on the fit of a regional water governance system, has just been published: https://lnkd.in/d-yDTXJq This article complements the previous study based on our developed framework, which addressed horizontal (spatial) fit issues in the region: https://lnkd.in/dXKCWB7T #watermanagement #governance #environmentalpolicy #institutional #watersaving