What is resilient water infrastructure?

Ageing infrastructure is most likely the most pressing matter. Erosion of years of flowing water make maintenance and repair work necessary and many times urgent. But replacing existing water infrastructure is neither fast nor cheap. In order to create a resilient water infrastructure, it is essential to incorporate resilience from the design stage, making sure that it will resist through both small leaks and extreme weather events.

Climate change plays a key role in the need for resilient water infrastructure. . Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns are altering the water cycle and making it them more difficult to predict and thus manage water resources. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events are becoming more common, stressing water systems and making them more vulnerable to disruptions.

Integrated water management (IWM) and water infrastructure resilience are interconnected and is an essential relationship for achieving sustainable and reliable water-management practices. IWM provides a framework for considering the interdependencies among different aspects of the water cycle, while resilient water infrastructure is a means of implementing this framework in practice. Together, they work to balance competing demands for water resources, ensure that water is managed in a sustainable and equitable way, and provide communities with reliable access to water.

Resilient water infrastructure is crucial in ensuring sustainable and dependable water management. The following projects exemplify resilient water infrastructure:

1. Stormwater runoff treatment facility

2. Advanced treatment facility

3. Enhanced recharge project

These projects exemplify the integration of advanced technologies and innovative strategies to manage stormwater, ensure water quality and enhance water resources.

Building resilient water infrastructures is crucial to ensure communities have access to safe and reliable water services in the face of ageing infrastructure and climate change. At GHD, we understand the importance of water efficiency in businesses, industries, and communities. We can balance water demand and supply by integrating resilient water infrastructures with efficient water usage.

Our Aquanomics report has underscored the impact of water risk on GDP for the first time, highlighting the need for proactive measures. Leveraging our extensive global network of expertise, we provide tailored solutions that consider local contexts. From feasibility studies to project management, our comprehensive range of services ensures holistic support across the entire water life cycle.

These examples of resilient water infrastructure projects and GHD’s commitment to addressing water challenges demonstrate our dedication to developing sustainable and reliable water-management solutions.

Articles referenced

^{GHD 2022, Aquanomics, retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://aquanomics.ghd.com/}

^{GHD 2022, ‘Integrated water management’, retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.ghd.com/en/expertise/water/integrated-water-management}