3 Multi-Benefit Resources

Water conservation benefits of urban heat mitigation

Author: Vahmani & Jones, (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Runoff storage, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Secondary energy demand, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water Supply

Water conservation benefits of urban heat mitigation examines urban heat mitigation strategies, such as cool roofs, and the impacts on water conservation in California. The study shows that while cool roofs provide significant cooling benefits and life cycle cost savings, they also provide other water-related benefits including decreased outdoor water use by reducing evaporation and irrigation practices. The report argues that cool roofs provide a solution for multiple sectors within California.

Rainwater as a Resource: A Report on Three Sites Demonstrating Sustainable Stormwater Management

Author: TreePeople (2007)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Drywells, Flood Control, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Infiltration basins, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Educational opportunity, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Flooding, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Secondary energy demand, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Rainwater as a Resource: A Report on Three Sites Demonstrating Sustainable Stormwater Management (2007) presents three case studies for stormwater management: (1) single-family, parcel sized greening in South Los Angeles, CA, (2) campus greening at Hillery T. Broadous Elementary School in Pacoima, CA, and (3) campus greening at Open Charter Magnet Elementary School in Westchester, CA. The report includes costs and quantified benefits for tree benefits (tree canopy, carbon storage, carbon sequestration, energy savings), stormwater benefits (runoff reduction, avoided storage), and air pollution benefits (ozone, SO2, NO2, PM10, and CO removal). The report also includes a discussion of additional non-quantified benefits including student health and safety, green waste reuse, and green recreation space.

A framework for assessing urban greenery’s effects and valuing its ecosystem services

Author: Andersson-Sköld et al., (2018)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Energy, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Secondary energy demand, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

A framework for assessing urban greenery’s effects and valuing its ecosystem services identifies biophysical structure components of urban green space, the associated function, an indicator, effectivity factor, and ecosystem services associated. The framework compares the perceived value of the ecosystem service to other potential services (i.e., public transport, housing, or culture, compared to biodiversity, stormwater flood risk, and perceived well being). The article includes a case study in which the framework was applied to urban areas in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Recent Publications

Water and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts on Municipal Water Demand

Water and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Equity Dimensions of Utility Disconnections in the U.S.

Water and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ensuring Access to Water as Shutoff Moratoriums Lift

Incorporating Multiple Benefits into Water Projects: A Guide for Water Managers

Scaling Green Stormwater Infrastructure Through Multiple Benefits in Austin, Texas: Distributed Rainwater Capture on Residential Properties in the Waller Creek Watershed