Nature-based solutions, integrated water management, and catchment planning are preferred alternatives to traditional grey's infrastructure approaches. They provide habitat for native ecosystems, support green spaces that improve the livability of our cities, and restore natural water cycles to avoid the worst impacts of flooding, heat waves and droughts.
Water and wastewater networks are rich in many resources. Reusing water, nutrients and energy, offsets traditional more greenhouse gas intensive fertilisers, energy supplies, and water sources, helping decarbonise across a range of sectors. A circular economy mindset that penalises waste opens opportunities for replacing virgin materials used in construction with recycled materials.
"We need intergenerational long-term thinking. Moving towards a circular economy means we are not just using our water more efficiently, but we're looking at everything that makes up the water cycle and find ways of doing things smarter" Wellington workshop participant
Water is a finite resource requiring energy and chemicals for transfer and treatment, which generate greenhouse gases. Wastewater also emits greenhouse gases directly. Reducing water lost through the network and improving energy efficiency improves water security and helps preserve environmental flows. Water use efficiency is one of a broad suite of tools employed to drive down greenhouse gas emissions from the water sector.
"The decision-making processes made in day-to-day life, how you use water, how you renovate your house, how you choose a place to live, water features in all of that thinking" Wellington workshop participant
Water takes, overflows, discharges, contaminants are managed to minimise harm and are overseen by enforced regulatory frameworks to safeguards against non-compliance events. Design and retrofit of new water infrastructure assets restores our water bodies to support thriving ecosystems, mahinga kai and societal wellbeing.
Forward planning, diversified supply chains and decentralised water networks strengthen our resilience against climate change, and help
communities adapt to more gradual hazards such as drought and pandemics.
"Climate change is here and we need to bring it into all of our thinking" Wellington workshop participant