55 Multi-Benefit Resources

Towards a New Paradigm of Urban Water Infrastructure: Identifying Goals and Strategies to Support Multi-Benefit Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Author: University of California, Berkeley (2018)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Centralized wastewater treatment, Engineered wetlands, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Ambient water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Regulatory compliance, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Towards a New Paradigm of Urban Water Infrastructure: Identifying Goals and Strategies to Support Multi-Benefit Municipal Wastewater Treatment examines the decision making barriers to adopting multibenefit solutions. Transitioning to a new paradigm of water management that supports and advances projects with multiple benefits will require new approaches, tools, and systems. This article attempts to identify the obstacles for these new requirements through a study from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Economic Benefits: Metics and Methods for Landscape Performance Assessment

Author: Utah State University (2016)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Outdoor water use efficiency, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Water conservation and efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Demand changes, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

The Economic Benefits: Metrics and Methods for Landscape Performance Assessment presents a method and standard metrics for assessing the economic benefits of landscapes. This method and the associated metrics can be used to increase the scientific rigor of landscape architecture and to help achieve high(er) levels of sustainability in the built environment. Three test cases are used to demonstrate the utility of the method.

Green Infrastructure Co-Benefits Valuation Tool

Author: Earth Economics, GI Exchange (2019)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Economic valuation, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Educational opportunity, Flooding, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

The Green Infrastructure Co-benefits Valuation Tool is intended to provide a framework, methods, and values to support rapid screening-level analysis of the costs and benefits associated with a range of GI investments. The tool itself is based in Microsoft Excel and comes with a users guide and fact sheet.

The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply: Efficiency, Reuse, and Stormwater – Issue Brief

Author: Pacific Institute, NRDC (2014)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Commercial or industrial reuse, Delivery system efficiency, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Indirect potable reuse, Infiltration and filtration, On site non potable reuse, Runoff storage, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for water extraction, GHG emissions, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Increased pressures on California’s water supply, including from population growth and intense periods of drought exacerbated by climate change, are leading to the overuse of surface water and groundwater. But with existing technology and conservation methods, the state can take vital steps to improve its resilience to drought and plan for a more sustainable water future. This issue brief, produced in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, is a statewide analysis of the potential for improved efficiency in agricultural and urban water use, water reuse and recycling, and increased capturing of local rainwater.

Water LA

Author: The River Project (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, Flooding, GHG emissions, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

The 2018 Water LA report by the River Project explores the opportunities for and challenges of building a resilient region by making small, distributed changes to the urban landscape. The report offers a case study from LA where parcel-scale water management projects provide different social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Methods to Assess Co-Benefits of California Climate Investments: Water Supply and Availability

Author: Center for Resource Efficient Communities, UC-Berkeley (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management, Water conservation and efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Demand reduction, Flooding, GHG emissions, In stream flows, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, Soil health, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

Methods to Assess Co-benefits of California Climate Investments: Water Supply and Availability is a literature review of the different methodologies and approaches to quantifying the water supply and availability benefits from California Climate Investment projects. California Climate Investments are a broad group of projects being pursued across the state to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as wetland restoration and urban tree planting. While the literature review is targeted at California projects, some of the information provided could be applicable more broadly in the U.S.

Co-benefits Assessment Methodology for Water Savings

Author: California Air Resources Board (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Agricultural land management, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management, Low impact landscaping, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

Co-benefits Assessment Methodology for Water Savings presents three different water co-benefit assessment methods for three types of projects from the California Climate Investments. The three project types are agricultural irrigation, residential, commercial, or institutional water efficiency, and urban landscaping. The assessment methods are presented from a California perspective, however, the same methods could be applied in different locations with appropriate modifications for climate and other relevant factors.

On Spatially Distributed Hydrologic Ecosystem Services: Bridging the Quantitative Information Gap Using Remote Sensing and Hydrological Models

Author: (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Environmental Remediation, Groundwater Management, Land Management, Surface Water Storage, Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Drinking water quality, Educational opportunity, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy production, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

The white paper, On Spatially Distributed Hydrologic Ecosystem Services, provides an explanation of and use case examples for a hydrologic ecosystem services model. This is a useful resource for quantification of water-related ecosystem services.The model is spatially and temporally designed for basin-scale analyses.

Sustainable Landscapes in the Santa Ana River Watershed

Author: Pacific Institute (2019)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Flooding, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

The Sustainable Landscapes in the Santa Ana River Watershed map is an interactive tool that allows users to explore potential benefits of sustainable landscaping practices across the Santa Ana River Watershed.

Valuing investments in sustainable land management in the Upper Tana River basin, Kenya

Author: (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Land Management, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Agricultural benefits, Ambient water quality, Drinking water quality, Energy, Energy for water treatment, Energy production, Flooding, In stream flows, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Soil quality, Supply augmentation, Total peak volume, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Valuing investments in sustainable land management in the Upper Tana basin, Kenya provides a case study of valuing ecosystem services using the InVEST model (of the Natural Capital Project) to assess the multiple benefits of land management practices in a large, diverse watershed. This study provides detailed analysis of targeted interventions that take into account stakeholder preferences, local environmental and socio-economic conditions. The outputs of the model link biophysical outputs to monetary metrics, including reduced water treatment costs, increased hydropower production, and crop yield benefits.

Impacts of Urban Water Conservation Strategies on Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Health: Southern California as a Case Study

Author: (2016)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, Groundwater Management, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, salt water desalination, Surface Water Storage, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, End use energy, Energy, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, GHG emissions, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water supply reliability

Impacts of Urban Water Conservation Strategies on Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Health: Southern California as a Case Study expands on a 2014 health impact assessment of California’s urban water conservation strategies to evaluate the impacts of two possible conservation approaches: banning landscape irrigation and expanding alternative water sources (e.g. recycled water). Findings show that expanding alternative water sources can have a highly positive impact on public health.

National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint Source Pollution

Author: U.S. EPA (2005)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Land Management, Riparian buffers, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Riparian Areas for the Abatement of Nonpoint Source Pollution is a guidance document that is targeted at state level employees seeking management options for non-point source (NPS) pollution. The report provides guidance on reducing NPS pollution through wetland and riparian area restoration and protection and vegetated treatment systems. The report also includes further resources for NPS pollution management practices as well as relevant case studies organized by territory, state, and tribe.

Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future

Author: Pacific Institute (2009)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Agriculture, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for water extraction, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future examines the potential for agricultural efficiency in California. The report qualitatively and quantitatively explores the potential for water conservation and efficiency under the following management strategies: 1) efficient irrigation technology, 2) improved irrigation scheduling, and 3) regulated deficit irrigation. All three options show significant water savings as well as provide various co-benefits including, reduced water and energy costs, improved crop quality and yield,improved soil health, reduced vulnerability to drought, increased revenues, improved water quality, improved quantity and timing of instream flows, and fish and wildlife benefits.

WaterSET

Author: (2016)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Water Management Strategies: Delivery system efficiency, Desalination, Direct potable reuse, Groundwater Management, Indirect potable reuse, Seawater desalination, Surface Water Storage, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

WaterSET is a triple bottom line assessment tool developed by WRF (Reuse-14-03) that compares different water supply options to direct potable reuse (DPR). The report, ‘Methodology for a Comprehensive Analysis (Triple Bottom Line) of Alternative Water Supply Projects Compared to Direct Potable Reuse’, describes the methodology behind the WaterSET tool. While the WaterSET tool is more oriented towards urban contexts, many of the principles and benefits associated with the water supplies assessed in Reuse-14-03 are relevant to agricultural contexts (Reuse-16-06). The report and tools developed as part of Reuse-14-03 were recently released and are currently being reviewed by the Reuse-16-06 project team.

Achieving Resilience through Water Recycling in Peri-Urban Agriculture

Author: (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural non potable reuse, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, On site non potable reuse, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Agriculture, Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Achieving Resilience through Water Recycling in Peri-Urban Agriculture examines water recycling for agricultural use in the peri-urban regions of Western Sydney, Australia. The study provides a qualitative assessment of the benefits associated with agricultural water reuse of treated wastewater and drinking water in the context of the communities larger water system. The benefits identified include enhanced landscape ecology, environmental risk management, water supply reliability, agricultural products and services, reduced wastewater discharges to receiving waters, provision of ecosystem services, community livelihood, social values, and overall enhanced resilience.

Policy and Economics of Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Banking

Author: (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Indirect potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Policy and Economics of Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Banking provides a summary of a series of papers on managed aquifer recharge (MAR) programs with excess surface water and recycled water. The paper argues that several limitations to implementation of MAR programs exist, including a deficiency in policies and government frameworks that support MAR programs, as well as limited economic analyses on MAR’s programs. The goal of this summary report is to fill these regulatory and economic gaps so as to encourage MAR program development and implementation.

Relevance and Benefits of Urban Water Reuse in Tourist Areas

Author: (2012)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, On site non potable reuse, Seawater desalination, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Ambient water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Relevance and Benefits of Urban Water Reuse in Tourist Areas presents a case study on factors that influenced the implementation of water reuse on the island of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. The study addresses the regulatory and technical challenges to implementation of water reuse systems, as well as provides methods for overcoming these challenges through the Bora Bora case study. The report emphasizes the need for reliability in treatment operations, feasible prices and operation costs, and effective utilization of the co-benefits of water reuse projects.

Green Infrastructure & Health Guide

Author: Oregon Health and Outdoors Initiative, Willamette Partnership, Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI), The Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange (2018)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Educational opportunity, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Regulatory compliance, Reputation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Green Infrastructure & Health Guide provides the tools, resources, and evidence for the connections between green infrastructure (GI) and human health. The chapters include Health Challenges and GI Solutions, GI and Health: What is the connection?, Nature Experiences and Health: Current evidence, Shared Language, Identifying Community Health Needs, Make the Case: Business and more, Community Engagement: Why and how, GI Siting and Design: Considerations for health, Evaluating Health Benefits of GI, and Needs and Next Steps. The appendices include Detailed Community Engagement Guidelines, Sample Tree Planting Health Survey, Sample Logic Model Linking Tree Planting and Health, and Sample City Health and Outdoors Opportunities Assessments.

Dams and Development A New Framework for Decision-Making

Author: World Commission on Dams (2000)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Surface Water Storage

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

Dams and Development A New Framework for Decision-Making provides a comprehensive, global evaluation of the impacts of dams on people, the environment, and the economy. The report illustrates that while dams mainly provide benefits such as increased water supply, flood control, and energy generation, they also provide many secondary and tertiary benefits such as food security, employment, skills development, rural electrification, and expansion of civil infrastructure including roads and schools. The report also assesses alternatives to dams for water resource and energy projects. From this evaluation, several main conclusions and recommendations were developed to give to the World Bank, governments, construction, and financing agencies around the world.

Sustainable Rivers Project

Author: The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2011)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Delivery system efficiency, Surface Water Storage, Water conservation and efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Energy, Energy production, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

The Sustainable Rivers Project aims to enhance river habitats through modification of dam operations. The report includes eight case studies on sustainable river projects conducted throughout the United States. The benefits of these river preservation strategies include improved water quality, flood protection, enhanced fish habitats, increased tourism and recreation, and improved community livability and aesthetics. The Sustainable Rivers Projects also works to encourage community engagement, particularly by those living on or near the rivers, by providing outreach, workshops, and meetings.

Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California

Author: NRDC, Pacific Institute (2014)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Water conservation and efficiency

Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California outlines the benefits of improving agricultural efficiency in California. The benefits cited include reduced consumptive use, improved water quality and instream flow, energy savings, increased yields, improved crop quality, reduced fertilizer, water, and energy costs, improved reliability of existing supplies, management flexibility, improved downstream water quality, and enhanced recreation.

Just the FACTS: Floods in California

Author: Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood Control, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Land Management, Stream protection and restoration, Surface Water Storage, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Just the FACTS: Floods in California highlights key state-wide flooding concerns and solutions for California. The solutions presented include taking new approaches to climate change when assessing flood risk, requiring flood insurance and/or restrictions on development in floodplains, and better integrating flood management projects into overall water management. The final solution points out that flood management can have multiple benefits, including restoration of wetlands and rivers, aquifer recharge, and surface water quality improvements.

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

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.

Green Infrastructure and Water Supply: A Case Study of the City of Los Angeles

Author: TreePeople, Council for Watershed Health, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (2015)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Infiltration or filtration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Green Infrastructure and Water Supply: A Case Study of the City of Los Angeles presents a two-page report on a modeling effort that identified areas in Los Angeles with potential for groundwater recharge, particularly using stormwater. The results showed potential for recharge to go from the current average of 0.274 AF/acre to an average of 0.97 AF/acre, using low impact development (LID) practices.

Green Infrastructure Guide for Water Management

Author: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNEP-DHI Partnership, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute (2014)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, Living shorelines, Low impact landscaping, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Local economy, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Green Infrastructure: Guide for Water Management examines case studies of green infrastructure projects throughout the United States. The report argues that a lack of awareness of the solutions and additional cost benefits that green infrastructure projects can provide is the major barrier to implementation of green infrastructure solutions. The case studies include green infrastructure projects such as green roofs, permeable pavement, levee setbacks, wetland conservation and construction, reforestation and afforestation, and flood bypasses and coastal protection. The case studies cite benefits from the ecosystem service categories (i.e., provisioning services, regulating services, cultural services, habitat or supporting services), providing a qualitative discussion of primary benefits and co-benefits for each case study.

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices

Author: U.S. EPA (2007)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Agriculture, Ambient water quality, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices analyzes 17 case studies of low impact development (LID) projects throughout the United States. The low impact development projects referenced include conservation designs, infiltration practices, runoff storage, runoff conveyance, filtration, and low impact landscaping. The benefits considered within the analysis include environmental benefits (i.e., pollution abatement, protection of downstream water resources, groundwater recharge, water quality improvements, reduced incidence of combined sewer overflows (CSO), habitat improvement), land value and quality of life benefits (i.e., reduced risk of downstream flooding and property damage, increased real estate values, lot yield, improved aesthetics, enhanced public space), and compliance benefits (i.e., regulatory compliance). The analysis also includes a cost comparison of low impact development projects to traditional grey infrastructure projects. The report concludes that low impact development projects significantly reduce costs and improve environmental performance.

Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Storm Water Best Management Practices

Author: U.S. EPA (1999)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Conservation design, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Detention basins, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Infiltration basins, Infiltration or filtration, Retention basins, Runoff conveyance

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Ambient water quality, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Storm Water Best Management Practices synthesizes existing information on costs and environmental benefits of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). The major goals of stormwater BMPs are flow control, temperature and pH control, and pollutant removal, including solids, oxygen-demanding substances, nitrogen and phosphorus, pathogens, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and synthetic organics. The environmental benefits cited include hydrological and habitat benefits, human health benefits (direct contact and seafood), and aesthetic benefits (property value/public perception, dual use systems using less space). The report provides a recommendation for stormwater BMPs and their associated costs and benefits.

Stormwater Capture Master Plan

Author: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) (2015)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, On site non potable reuse, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Spreading basins, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Demand reduction, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Stormwater Capture Master Plan develops a strategy for long-term stormwater capture potential, examination of projects and programs, estimation of the value of projects with ancillary benefits, and stormwater program and policy implementations in California. Stormwater programs include on-site infiltration, green streets, subregional infiltration, on-site direct use, subregional direct use, and impervious replacement. The multiple benefits cited from increased stormwater capture include groundwater recharge, water conservation, open space alternatives, and improved downstream water quality and peak flow.

Techno-economic assessment and environmental impacts of desalination technologies

Author: (2011)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Brackish desalination, Desalination, Seawater desalination

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Techno-economic assessment and environmental impacts of desalination technologies provides a review of desalination technologies, including energy requirements, water production costs, technological growth trends, environmental impacts, and possible technological improvements. The report also provides desalination policies from major desalination users, including Saudi Arabia, United States, Spain, China, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates.

LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles River Watershed

Author: UCLA Grand Challenges (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Flood Control, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater remediation, Groundwater storage, Indirect potable reuse, Infiltration basins, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, On site non potable reuse, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Spreading basins, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, In stream flows, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles River Watershed provides an in-depth analysis of the potential future opportunities for water recycling, stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, and water quality improvements along the Los Angeles River. The analysis takes into account current water supply and water quality projects and management practices along the river. The report deduces that more work is needed to better understand optimal levels of stormwater capture and water recycling along the river so as to balance the impact on in-stream flows.

Water Reuse: An International Survey of Current Practice, Issues and Needs

Author: (2008)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural non potable reuse, Agricultural reuse, Commercial or industrial reuse, Indirect potable reuse, On site non potable reuse, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Water Reuse: An International Survey of Current Practice, Issues and Needs presents an in-depth review of water reuse practices from across the globe. The main objective is to show how wastewater reuse is conceived and practiced differently around the world. The sections in the book focus on different aspects of water reuse, including but not limited to, water reuse by end-use type, climate and social/economic similarities, emerging controversial topics in the field, and contrasting case studies. The book is written for all stakeholders involved in wastewater reuse applications.

Assessing Location and Scale of Urban Nonpotable Water Reuse Systems for Life-Cycle Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Author: University of California, Berkeley ReNUWIt (2016)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: On site non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for treatment, Energy for wastewater, GHG emissions, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

Assessing Location and Scale of Urban Nonpotable Water Reuse Systems for Life-Cycle Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions examines nonpotable water reuse at different scales to compare centralized and decentralized systems for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The article presents a planning and support tool for determining the optimal scale and treatment technology for reuse in different locations and elevations.

Assessing the Return on Investment in Watershed Conservation: Best Practices Approach and Case Study for the Rio Camboriú PWS Program, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Author: The Nature Conservancy (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Drinking water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Assessing the Return on Investment in Watershed Conservation applies a return on investment (ROI) framework to a watershed conservation project in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The framework involves quantification of the relationships between 1) intervention, 2) ecosystem structure, 3) ecosystem function, 4) ecosystem service, 5) benefit, and 6) values and program cost. The report illustrates that restoring source watersheds is a cost-effective way to reduce drinking water treatment costs, improve water supply resilience, and protect biodiversity. The ecosystem services quantified in the study include sediment concentrations at water treatment intake, which when reduced can lead to avoided peak season water loss, avoided use of chemicals, avoided dry sludge landfilling, and avoided pumping. The report also includes costs for landowner engagement and interventions, as well as land rentals.

Drivers for and against municipal wastewater recycling: A review

Author: (2016)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: On site non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Drivers for and against municipal wastewater recycling: A review provides a comprehensive review of drivers for and against wastewater recycling at different scales, identifying more than 150 unique social, economic, business, policy, technical, and natural drivers. The report provides a framework that categorizes studies according to level of analysis (i.e., city, state, country, global) and outcomes explored (i.e., program implementation, percentage of water demand covered by recycled water), and then identifies whether the study was for or against recycled water use, and the drivers for this opinion (i.e. social, natural, technical, economic, policy, or business).

Why Do Some Water Utilities Recycle More than Others? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis in New South Wales, Australia

Author: (2015)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural non potable reuse, On site non potable reuse, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Why Do Some Water Utilities Recycle More than Others? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis in New South Wales, Australia provides a comparative analysis of drivers for water reuse at 25 different utilities in New South Wales, Australia. The statistical method employed is able to evaluate the influence of six different factors on two specific outcomes: 1) agricultural use and 2) industrial, municipal, and commercial use. They found that factors relating to economics are important for industrial, municipal, and commercial use, and factors relating to water stress and geographic proximity are important for agricultural use.

The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits

Author: Center for Neighborhood Technology, American Rivers (2010)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Educational opportunity, End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits is an in-depth framework for evaluating the multiple benefits of green infrastructure projects, including green roofs, tree planting, bioretention and infiltration, permeable pavement, and water harvesting. The framework provides methodologies for valuation of water, energy, air quality, and climate change-related benefits, as well as a qualitative discussion on community livability and public education benefits.

Quantifying Watershed Restoration Benefits in Community Water Partnership Projects

Author: LimnoTech, Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Delivery system efficiency, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Land Management, On site non potable reuse, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers, Stream protection and restoration, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Drinking water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

Quantifying Watershed Restoration Benefits in Community Water Partnership Projects is a report that aims to quantify water-related benefits of Coca-Cola Company watershed protection, water for productive use, and water access projects. The report identifies nine categories of watershed restoration actions, including agricultural land practice changes, stormwater management, land use/land cover alterations, hydraulic/hydrologic waterbody alterations, recaptured leakage from water systems, wastewater treatment, biologic management, water reuse, and rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge. The benefits quantified within this report include water quantity and water quality (i.e., sediment reduction), and the benefits not quantified include habitat improvement, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analysis for Water Recycling Projects

Author: University of California Davis Center for Watershed Sciences (2011)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: On site non potable reuse, Urban and industrial non potable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, In stream flows, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analysis for Water Recycling Projects provides an in-depth methodology for economic analysis of water recycling projects, including all benefits and costs “to whomsoever they accrue” at the completion of the project. The methodology includes benefits that directly affect the proposing agency, individuals, households, or businesses, such as water supply, water supply reliability, and local control, as well as the indirect benefits, such as environmental changes (i.e., streamflow, reducing groundwater pumping), recreation, nutrient loading, and effect on soil and groundwater.

The Economics of Low-Impact Development: A Literature Review

Author: ECONorthwest (2007)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, End use energy, Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

The Economics of Low-Impact Development: A Literature Review provides a review of economic valuations of low-impact development projects. The multiple benefits of low-impact development cited within the report include reduced flooding, improved water quality, increased groundwater recharge, reduced public expenditures on stormwater infrastructure, reduced energy use, improved air quality, and enhanced aesthetics and property values. The report provides guidance and literature discussion on methodologies for calculating the costs and benefits of low-impact development projects.

Impacts of forest restoration on water yield: A systematic review

Author: (2017)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Reforestation and forest conservation

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Flooding, In stream flows, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, Soil health, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

Impacts of forest restoration on water yield: A systematic review provides an academic review of 666 journals and studies conducted on the impact of forest restoration on water yields. From the works reviewed, forest restoration generally led to decreases in water yields, baseflow, and groundwater temporarily. The report suggests that green water may increase from reforestation, but there is little evidence to suggest that blue water will increase from reforestation.

Freshwater Health Index Dongjiang Basin, China: An assessment of freshwater ecosystem health

Author: Freshwater Health Index (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Water Management Strategies: Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

The Freshwater Health Index is a tool that examines three components of ecosystem health: ecosystem vitality (i.e., water quantity, water quality, basin condition, and biodiversity), ecosystem services (i.e., provisioning, regulation and support, and cultural), and governance & stakeholders (i.e., enabling environment, stakeholder management, vision and adaptive governance, and effectiveness). The report applies the Freshwater Health Index to the Dongjiang Basin in China, providing semi-quantitative scores for each ecosystem health component.

Freshwater Health Index

Author: Freshwater Health Index (N/A)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Water Management Strategies: Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply

The Freshwater Health Index provides policy-makers and resource managers with a tool to evaluate policies, management options, and tradeoffs, as well as communicate basin health to the public. The Freshwater Health Index defines freshwater health as the ability to deliver water-related ecosystem services, sustainably and equitably, at the drainage basin scale. Within the Freshwater Health Index, the three components of ecosystem health include ecosystem vitality (i.e., water quantity, water quality, basin condition, and biodiversity), ecosystem services (i.e., provisioning, regulation and support, and cultural), and governance & stakeholders (i.e., enabling environment, stakeholder management, vision and adaptive governance, and effectiveness).

Green infrastructure and its catchment-scale effects: An emerging science

Author: (2017)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Flooding, Peak flood volume, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply

Green infrastructure and its catchment-scale effects: An emerging science provides an overview of past research conducted on the impacts of green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) on water quality (i.e. runoff and discharge) and water quantity at localized scales. The report also presents considerations for scaling GI and LID research to the catchment-scale, advances and findings in scaling efforts, and the use of models as tools for scaling.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Economics in the Boise Urban Area

Author: (2015)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Drinking water quality, Educational opportunity, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Regulatory compliance, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Economics in the Boise Urban Area (2015) examines the economics of green versus grey infrastructure in Boise, Idaho. Infrastructure projects analyzed include bioretention, trees with suspended pavement systems, permeable pavement, bioswales, conventional trees without suspended pavement systems, and conventional paved alleyways. Biophysical services and social benefits are compared to the alternative (i.e., status quo) option to determine the differences in services. The biophysical services identified include waste absorption/pollutant reduction, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, temperature reduction, and biodiversity/habitat provision. The social benefits identified include clean drinking water, water supply, clean air, aesthetics and recreation, pedestrian and vehicle safety, heat island effect, education and community engagement, and compliance credits.

Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program Guidelines

Author: California State Resources Water Quality Control Board (2015)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Conservation design, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Detention basin, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood Control, Infiltration basin, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Retention basin, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Storm drains and pipes

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Demand reduction, Educational opportunity, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program Guidelines, related to the Stormwater Grant Program (SWGP), establishes the process and criteria by which Proposition 1 funds are awarded in the state of California. The guidelines seek to encourage public agencies to develop multi-benefit stormwater management plans, as specified in the Stormwater Resource Planning Act (SB 985), that reframe stormwater projects, including dry-weather runoff as a water supply resource.

Water Storage Investment Program Technical Reference

Author: California Water Commission (2016)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Drywells, Flood Control, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Infiltration basins, Spreading basins, Surface Water Storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Energy production, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Water Storage Investment Program Technical Reference details the methodology for quantifying the co-benefits or adverse impacts of water storage projects under California’s Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). The report outlines methods for quantification of various co-benefits and adverse impacts, providing guidance on defining future site conditions, calculating physical changes, monetizing project benefits and costs, comparing benefits and costs, properly allocating costs to beneficiaries, determining cost-effectiveness and public-benefit ratio, and evaluating sources of uncertainty. Projects that quantify public benefits following these methodologies are eligible for California state bond funding to pay for the public benefits.

Berkeley Resilience Strategy

Author: City of Berkeley, 100 Resilient Cities, AECOM (2016)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Demand reduction, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

100 Resilient Cities is an organization working across the globe to help plan for more resilient and successful cities. The Resilience Framework guides users towards projects that provide overall system and infrastructure resilience, often including water systems and infrastructure. The report includes a case study on Berkeley, California’s goal of adapting to climate change through green infrastructure, diversifying their water supply, and sustainable landscapes. The Resilience Framework yields a qualitative measure of ‘city resilience’, defined as “the ability of the individuals, institutions, businesses, and systems within the community to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what chronic stress or acute shock it experiences.”

Living Streets Economic Feasibility Project: Final Report

Author: Heal the Bay, Climate Resolve, GreenLA Coalition (2016)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Regulatory compliance, Reputation, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Living Streets Economic Feasibility Report presents an alternate, new paradigm to guide the future of street and sidewalk infrastructure design and creation for Los Angeles. The term they use for this new paradigm is “Living Streets”, and it incorporates green infrastructure and stormwater capture within street design to improve air quality, water quantity and quality, flooding, human health, and aesthetics within urban regions. The report presents the costs and benefits of Living Streets, and compares them to the costs and benefits of continuing with business as usual, as well as against what they call “Green Streets,” “Cool Streets,” and “Complete Streets.”

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water

Author: American Rivers (2010)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Delivery system efficiency, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, On site non potable reuse, Retention basin, Riparian buffers, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Storm drains and pipes, Stream protection and restoration, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water conservation and efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Energy, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water categorizes “green” and “bright green” projects that provide multiple environmental and economic benefits, including improved water quality and quantity, reduced runoff and flooding, groundwater recharge, improved habitats, reduced energy use, and overall water supply reliability. The report focuses primarily on green infrastructure and demand management projects, as well as leveraging natural capital for water management, including examples from specific states and cities with a focus on funding projects. The report provides a qualitative discussion of the multiple benefits.

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

Author: (2018)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

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.