106 Multi-Benefit Resources

Nature-based Solutions Evidence Platform

Author: University of Oxford (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Land Management, Reforestation and forest conservation, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality

The Nature-based Solutions Evidence Platform provides visualization and sorting tools for resources and data related to benefits from nature-based solutions. The data can be filtered by a variety of categories, mapped by country, or charted to show results.

A Path Forward forCalifornia’s FreshwaterEcosystems

Author: Mount et al., Public Policy Institute of California (2019)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Reforestation and forest conservation, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment

A Path Forward for California’s Freshwater Ecosystems makes the case for shifting Endangered Species Act implementation from the species to the ecosystem level. This shift could allow for the creation of direct ecosystem-based objectives and increase implementation of multiple benefit projects.

Water for Wilderness Areas: Instream Flow Needs, Protection, and Economic Value

Author: Brown, US Forest Service (1991)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Economic valuation, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Stream protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment

Water for Wilderness Areas: Instream Flow Needs, Protection, and Economic Value reviews literature to examine the needs of wilderness for instream flows. Instream flows sufficient for supporting recreation may not be sufficient for supporting wilderness needs. There is no consensus on how much quantity or value these flows have, but existence value techniques may be able to estimate this.

Conservation Gateway

Author: The Nature Conservancy (N/A)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment

The Conservation Gateway provides resources to support conservation practices in water management. The gateway provides a variety of resources from funding for freshwater conservation to protocols on water quality assessment. The resources are divided between: Corporate Water Use, Environmental Flows, Water Infrastructure, Water Quality, Habitat Protection and Restoration, Financial Solutions, Saving Great Rivers, and Setting Freshwater Priorities.

Building and Measuring Community Resilience: Actions for Communities and the Gulf Research Program

Author: Allen et al., National Academy of Sciences (2019)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies:

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Extreme events, Risk and Resilience, System resilience

Building and Measuring Community Resilience uses a consensus study to examine how communities could become more resilient in the face of climate change and other disasters. They discuss 33 different resilience measurements and included input from stakeholders from eight different communities. This information is summarized into recommendations for developing resilience in communities and a table comparing different resilience metrics.

Green Infrastructure Evaluation Framework

Author: National Recreation and Park Association (2019)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Urban heat island, Water quality

The Green Infrastructure Evaluation Framework allows for people planning green infrastructure projects to identify and systematically calculate project benefits. Step one of the framework has a tool to identify all the different benefits that could be expected. Step two lays out how to collect and manage data to evaluate green infrastructure. Step 3 builds a structure on how to use the data, once collected, for communication inside and outside of the organization.

The contribution of constructed green infrastructure to urban biodiversity: A synthesis and meta-analysis

Author: Filazzola et al., University of Alberta (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment

The contribution of constructed green infrastructure to urban biodiversity: A synthesis and meta-analysis examines efficacy of green infrastructure in improving biodiversity. The authors examined 33 published green infrastructure cases that included quantification of biodiversity. The synthesis of these cases suggests there are significant biodiversity benefits. Some projects achieve levels of biodiversity found in undisturbed sites.

Assessing The Direct Effects of Streamflow on Recreation: A Literature Review

Author: Brown et al., US Forest Service (1991)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management, Stream protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: In stream flows, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation

Assessing The Direct Effects of Streamflow on Recreation: A Literature Review examines the relationship between stream flows and recreation quality. Most papers found a nonlinear relationship between increases in stream flows and recreation quality. Recreation quality increases with streamflows until a site specific point, and then levels out. This indicates there could be an optimum stream flow in water systems for recreation quality.

Wellspring: Source Water Resilience and Climate Adaptation

Author: Matthews et al., The Nature Conservancy (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies:

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Agricultural, Community resilience, Energy production, Extreme events, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, In stream flows, System resilience, Water supply reliability

Wellspring: Source Water Resilience and Climate Adaptation contributes to the evolving discussions connected to source water protection, risk, resilience, and climate change. This report provides a thorough description of literature, tools, and case examples of resilient management of source waters.

Identifying linkages between urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services using an expert opinion methodology

Author: Elliott et al., Columbia University (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Agricultural, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Educational opportunity, End use energy, Energy, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Identifying linkages between urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services using an expert opinion methodology compares benefits in urban distributed stormwater infrastructure. This is commonly known as green infrastructure (GI), provides a wide variety of benefits. This study offers both a methodology for evaluating the multiple benefits of GI as well as a decision-support tool developed through interviews with 46 academic experts that helps to rank different GI strategies based on their known ability to deliver a variety of co-benefits.

The Napa River Basin, California

Author: Naturally Resilient Communities (2016)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural flooding, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood bypass systems, Flood Control, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Land Management, Recharge area protection, Riparian buffers, Storm drains and pipes, Wetland protection and restoration

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

The Napa River Basin, California provides a short overview of the multi-benefit approach taken by the Napa River communities to mitigate flood risk. The chosen approach deliberately sought not only to reduce the risk and impact of flooding from the Napa River, but also to preserve and restore habitat, reconnect the floodplain, and improve community livability.

NRCS Practice Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Carbon Sequestration

Author: Natural Resource Conservation Service (2012)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Carbon sequestration, GHG emissions, Land and environment, Soil health

The NRCS Practice Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Carbon Sequestration ranks effectiveness of greenhouse gas reduction techniques for farmers. This list provides NRCS practice codes and brief summaries of techniques.

The City Water Resilience Approach

Author: Fletcher et al., Arup (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Community resilience, Demand changes, Health and safety, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water Supply

The City Water Resilience Approach considers how cities can create resilient water management plans in the face of changing city populations and climate. The report goes through a multistep approach and addresses potential issues between different stakeholders as well as other barriers. It focuses on providing the increasing urban population with safe, resilient water resources and protection from water related disasters.

Bringing Water and Land Use Together

Author: Local Government Commission (2019)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Community resilience, Flooding, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water Supply

Bringing Water and Land Use Together discusses Integrated Regional Water Management. This strategy is similar to the multi-benefit framework and integrates multiple groups of stakeholders to find mutually beneficial solutions to water management issues. The report highlights case studies throughout California that have adopted different integrated management approaches. It provides lists of recommendations for different stakeholders attempting to engage in integrated management.

Participatory development and the sustainable city: community forestry in Detroit

Author: Vachta & McDonough, The Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg (2002)
Geography: Midwestern U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Community resilience, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation

Participatory Development and the Sustainable City: Community Forestry in Detroit is a chapter in a book discussing sustainable city management. This chapter focuses on including equitable stakeholder engagement in these decisions by examining environmental investment in Detroit. After Detroit experienced a loss of about 1/5 of its city, green infrastructure projects were designed and implemented to fill the open areas. A series of projects were chosen by the communities, with public involvement. While implementation continued, a series of interviews were conducted to ensure the project was meeting community expectations.

An Equitable Water Future

Author: US Water Alliance (2017)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Community resilience, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience

An Equitable Water Future highlights the main challenges and main solutions in water equity in the United States. There are 1.4 million Americans without access to modern plumbing. Affordability can also contribute to water inequity, the bottom 20% can pay 1/5 of their income on water bills. Communities might have disproportionate impacts from historical water quality threats such as nuclear testing or lead pipes. Examples of projects and organizations that are addressing these equity issues are provided. Equity and climate resilience are also discussed.

Landscape Performance Series

Author: Landscape Architecture Foundation (N/A)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Economic valuation, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping, Outdoor water use efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

The Landscape Performance Series is a compilation of case studies, fact sheets, and a Benefits Toolkit, to support sustainable landscape design. It is available for designers, agencies, and advocates to help evaluate performance, show value, and make the case for landscapes.

Water Funds Toolbox

Author: The Nature Conservancy (N/A)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, Low impact landscaping, Recharge area protection, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers, Stream protection and restoration, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water Supply

The Water Fund Toolbox provides a wide variety of resources, case studies, tools, etc. for groups seeking to create or advance the work of a Water Fund. A Water Fund is an organization that designs and enhances financial and governance mechanisms which unite public, private, and civil society stakeholders around a common goal to contribute to water security through nature-based solutions and sustainable water management.

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

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Commercial or industrial reuse, Delivery system efficiency, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Indirect potable reuse, Infiltration and filtration, On site nonpotable reuse, Runoff storage, Urban and industrial nonpotable 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 Californias 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.

The environmental benefits of water recycling and reuse

Author: Anderson, Dept. of Public Works and Services, Sydney, Australia (2003)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Land and environment

The environmental benefits of water recycling and reuse presents on the links between water reuse and sustainable water management through the examination of a variety of case studies from Australia. Some case studies included also quantify the environmental benefits of water reuse.

Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities ‘just green enough’

Author: Wolch et al., UC Berkeley (2014)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Community resilience, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation

Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities ‘just green enough’ is a review paper evaluating the global relationship between environmental improvements and inequity. The article concludes green space development’s impact on disenfranchised groups hinges on the goals of the development. Greening that is designed to increase the value of the neighborhood can be problematic, but greening that is “just enough” can accomplish significant health improvements without displacing people.

Inclusive Urban Ecological Restoration in Toronto, Canada

Author: Newman, Center for Resource Economics (2011)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Community resilience, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation

Inclusive Urban Ecological Restoration in Toronto, Canada explores the ways improving diversity in park management could benefit Toronto communities. Involving more racial groups in projects has many unrecognized benefits. For example, it can help undo racial stereotypes that parks and natural spaces are only for white people. It can also make people who live in these communities more visible. Communities can also be empowered by being included in ecological projects. By involving minority groups from the beginning of a project, the project is more sustainable in the long term.

Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review

Author: Tzoulas et al., (2007)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation

Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using Green Infrastructure: A literature review formulates a conceptual framework of associations between urban green space, and ecosystem and human health. Through an interdisciplinary literature review the possible contributions of Green Infrastructure on both ecosystem health and human health are critically reviewed. Over a dozen studies are cited that demonstrate human health aspects related to green space and nature. Included definition of ecosystem services and Green Infrastructure which differs from LID definitions of GI in the U.S.

Multisolving

Author: Climate Interactive (N/A)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: N/A

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

Multisolving is a concept developed by the Climate Interactive that provides an approach for finding systematic solutions that protect the climate while also improving health, equity, and well-being. The concept rests on the foundation that solutions to climate change will not only reduce carbon or sequester greenhouse gases, but will also contribute to attractive and livable communities that are more equitable and just for all. Multisolving is finding solutions that solve multiple problems with a single intervention. The website contains reports, tools, applications, case studies and more.

San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas

Author: San Francisco Estuary Institute, SPUR (2019)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Conservation design, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Detention basins, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood Control, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Infiltration basins, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, Living shorelines, Retention basins, Riparian buffers, Stream and channel modifications, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality

The San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas offers practitioners and decision makers in the region a comprehensive, science-based framework for assessing, planning, and designing sea level rise adaptation strategies. The framework organizes adaptation strategies around geographically connected areas, called Operational Landscape Units (OLUs); these OLUs are explained in depth with specific strategies considered for each within the Atlas’ mapping tool.

Measuring Benefits of Distributed, Nature-Based Stormwater Projects

Author: The River Project (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

Measuring Benefits of Distributed, Nature-Based Stormwater Projects explores a variety of factors relevant to the assessment of distributed, nature-based stormwater projects. This report provides a useful discussion around definitions of terms, typology, scale, and other important factors related to the comparison of green, grey, and green/grey infrastructure.

Biodiverse perennial meadows have aesthetic value and increase residents’ perceptions of site quality in urban green-space

Author: Southon et al., (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Health and safety, People and Community

Researches used photos and as well as actual urban green spaces converted to meadows to evaluate perceptions of visitors to these spaces in southern England. Perennial meadows increased perceived quality and appreciation of urban green space, with visitors showing a higher preference for meadows with higher plant and structural diversity.

Moving Toward a Multiple Benefits Approach for Water Management

Author: Diringer et al., (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Economic valuation, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Desalination, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Flood Control, Groundwater Management, Land Management, Surface Water Storage, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

The Pacific Institute’s report, Moving Toward a Multiple Benefits Approach for Water Management, proposes a framework for systematically identifying and incorporating the multiple benefits and trade-offs of water management strategies into decision-making processes. The framework can help users broaden support for a policy or project; identify opportunities to share costs among project beneficiaries; minimize adverse and unintended consequences; optimize the investment of time, money, and other resources; and increase transparency associated with water management decisions.

Natural Infrastructure in the Nexus

Author: Ozment, DiFrancesco, & Gartner, IUCN, International Water Association, World Resources Institute (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, 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, Recharge area protection, Reforestation and conservation, Riparian buffers, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Flooding, Water quality, Water Supply

This paper discusses how natural infrastructure, the networks of land and water that provide services to people, can help decision makers and infrastructure managers address interconnected challenges facing water, energy, and food systems, often referred to as the “nexus.” The paper examines reasons and ways to include natural infrastructure in this nexus, challenges that have prevented increased investment in natural infrastructure, and recommendations for moving forward.

Nature and Health

Author: Hartig et al., (2014)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

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, Recharge area protection, Reforestation and conservation, Riparian buffers, Stream protection and restoration, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Community resilience, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation

This article presents the state of knowledge with regards to human health and well-being from contact with nature. The article includes a discussion of the term “nature,” a review of relevant research including linkages between nature and benefits, and the gaps, challenges, methodological approaches that could be used for future research.

Green Cities: Good Health

Author: University of Washington, U.S. Forest Service, and Urban and Community Forestry (N/A)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Affordability, Health and safety, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Urban heat island

Green Cities: Good Health is an online compilation and synthesis of research related to urban green spaces and human health and well-being. The website includes introductory material, summaries of current research into the numerous benefits of urban green space, future research, and a comprehensive list of references.

Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center

Author: Kardan et al., (2015)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Health and safety, People and Community

This study links tree density in an urban center (Toronto, Canada) to results of a health survey using statistical methods. The findings indicate that more trees improve health perception and health outcomes.

A Northwest Vision for 2040 Water Infrastructure

Author: Roth & Mazza, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

In A Northwest Vision for 2040 Water Infrastructure the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure presents a vision for the future of water management for the Northwestern U.S. The vision describes how Northwest communities can develop integrated, sustainable, and resilient water systems that address water quality, water supply, and flooding. The report is full of qualitative descriptions of the benefits of this more sustainable and equitable vision and provides numerous real-world examples of how and where Northwest communities are already working towards this future.

Top 22 Benefits of Trees

Author: TreePeople (2019)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Demand reduction, Educational opportunity, End use energy, Energy, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Resource recovery, Soil health, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

This website, Top 22 Benefits of Trees, provides an overview of the top benefits provided by trees, which include, but are not limited to, saving water, preventing water pollution, and many other benefits.

Urban Nature for Human Health and Well-Being

Author: USDA (2018)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: N/A

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Health and safety, People and Community, Urban heat island

Urban Nature for Human Health and Well-Being summarizes the most recent research on connections between human health and natural urban spaces and features. This paper presents new and ongoing studies that seek to address the quantitative and qualitative impacts of green spaces on human mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

The Green Edge: How Commercial Property Investment in Green Infrastructure Creates Value

Author: Clements & St. Juliana, NRDC (2013)
Geography: Northeastern U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Economic valuation, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

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, End use energy, Energy, Local economy, People and Community, Regulatory compliance, Reputation, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water supply reliability

This report explores the range of economic benefits that accrue to commercial property owners (including owners of multifamily residential buildings) when they install green infrastructure on their property to improve stormwater management.

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

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Health Lands and Healthy Economies website

Author: Sonoma County Ag + Open Space (N/A)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

This is the landing page for Sonoma County Ag + Open Space Health Lands & Healthy Economies program. This website includes links to many resources on multi-benefit valuation of agricultural and natural lands.

Impacts of desalination plant discharges on the marine environment: A critical review of published studies

Author: Roberts, Johnston, & Knott, (2010)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, Seawater desalination

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

Impacts of desalination plant discharges on the marine environment: A critical review of published studies provides a qualitative review of the environmental impacts of desalination plants across the globe. The literature review revealed that the most detrimental environmental impacts have resulted from older multi-stage flash (MSF) plants as a result of the large amounts of discharge with little flushing. The negative environmental impacts cited include increased water salinity and temperatures, as well as the deposition of hydrocarbons, metals, and toxic compounds. The literature review also revealed that selected discharge location directly influenced the severity of environmental impacts.

Climate information? Embedding climate futures within temporalities of California water management

Author: Baker, Ekstrom, & Bedsworth, (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: N/A

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Extreme events, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water supply reliability

Climate information? Embedding climate futures within temporalities of California water management analyzes the use of climate change information in water resources management decisions in California. The information was obtained by conducting interviews (n=61) with drinking water utility managers in California, analyzing three different methodologies for incorporation of climate change information: 1) modeled futures, 2) whose future?, and 3) truncated futures. The interviews revealed that ‘modeled futures’ most closely aligned with supply-demand projections in widely-accepted literature.

Progress Toward Establishing a National Assessment of Water Availability and Use

Author: Alley et al., U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (2013)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Water quality, Water Supply

Progress Toward Establishing a National Assessment of Water Availability and Use discusses the need for a National Water Census within the United States. The goal of the Water Census would be to provide a comprehensive database that would inform managers and decision-makers on the water availability and water quality in the nation. The report illustrates the framework through various regional and national applications. The report also asserts that in order for a Water Census to be successful, there must be sufficient collaboration between organizations and agencies.

Multi-criteria decision analysis in environmental sciences: Ten years of applications and trends

Author: Huang, Keisler, & Linkov, (2011)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

Multi-criteria decision analysis in environmental sciences: Ten years of applications and trends examines the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for environmental applications within the past decade. The literature review revealed that there has been significant growth in MCDA application within environmental practices. The review also found parallels between applications of MCDA across similar projects, suggesting that MCDA has been applied consistently within cases reviewed.

From comparative risk assessment to multi-criteria decision analysis and adaptive management: Recent developments and applications

Author: Linkoc et al., (2006)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Environmental Remediation, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

From comparative risk assessment to multi-criteria decision analysis and adaptive management: Recent developments and applications provides a summary of regulatory frameworks in the United State and Europe. The paper also proposes a new decision-making framework that combines multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) with adaptive management strategies and significant stakeholder engagement. The report includes an application of the framework to a sediment restoration project in the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

Combining multi-attribute utility and geographic information for boundary decisions: An application to park planning

Author: Keisler & Sundell, (1997)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment

Combining multi-attribute utility and geographic information for boundary decisions: An application to park planning provides a framework for inclusion of various objectives when determining park boundaries. The framework combines multi-attribute utility functions with spatial analysis in order to determine park boundaries that satisfy various stakeholders’ goals and objectives. The tool outputs multiple park boundary scenarios, allowing the user to evaluate the alternatives and select the best option.

Achieving Resilience through Water Recycling in Peri-Urban Agriculture

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural nonpotable reuse, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, On site nonpotable 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: Megdal & Dillion, (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Firewater Storage, Treatment, Recycling and Management: New Perspectives Based on Experiences from the United Kingdom

Author: Scholz, (2014)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Commercial or industrial reuse, Industrial treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Extreme events, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

Firewater Storage, Treatment, Recycling and Management: New Perspectives Based on Experiences from the United Kingdom is a literature review examining firewater management and recycling best practices in the United Kingdom. The literature review revealed that limited research is available on this subject and that development of decision support tools are needed to evaluate consumption rates, capacity, water quality, and pump requirements. A particular article suggested the need for further research into on-site treatment methods, such as mobile and compact filtration units.

Relevance and Benefits of Urban Water Reuse in Tourist Areas

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, On site nonpotable reuse, Seawater desalination, Urban and industrial nonpotable 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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

An Analysis of the Energy Intensity of Water in California: Providing a Basis for Quantification of Energy Savings from Water System Improvements

Author: Wilkinson et al., (2006)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Affordability, End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, Local economy, People and Community

An Analysis of the Energy Intensity of Water in California: Providing a Basis for Quantification of Energy Savings from Water System Improvements analyzes water-related energy use in California. The report examines energy inputs to water systems for: 1) primary water extraction, conveyance, and storage, 2) treatment and distribution within service areas, 3) on-site water pumping, treatment, and thermal inputs, and 4) wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge. The report concludes that “with better information regarding the energy implications of water use, public policy and combined investment and management strategies between energy, water, and wastewater agencies and utilities can be improved.” The benefits cited for these energy savings include avoided capital and operating costs, reduced burden on rate-payers, improved distribution of capital, and environmental benefits.

One Water Roadmap: The Sustainable Management of Life’s Most Essential Resource

Author: US Water Alliance (2016)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

One Water Roadmap: The Sustainable Management of Life’s Most Essential Resource provides a comprehensive “One Water” framework for the United States. The report is divided into three sections: 1) a discussion on the current landscape of water issues, 2) a discussion of the vision and foundational features of the One Water approach, and 3) a discussion of current successes in utilizing the One Water approach and further improvements. The qualitative framework encompasses a broad range of management strategies and provides guidance for all sectors.

Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Storm Water Best Management Practices

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Evaluating Ecological Restoration Success: A Review of the Literature

Author: Wortley, Hero, & Howes, (2013)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Educational opportunity, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Resource recovery, Soil health

Evaluating Ecological Restoration Success: A Review of the Literature synthesizes past trends in restoration project evaluations and identified major knowledge gaps. The review analyzes approximately 300 ecological restoration project evaluations that include measurements for impacts on the economy, society, and environment. The sources are organized by publication details, restoration project characteristics, and evaluation/monitoring methodology.

Green Infrastructure Opportunities and Barriers in the Greater Los Angeles Region

Author: U.S. EPA (2013)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Detention basins, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Drywells, Flood Control, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Infiltration basins, Infiltration or filtration, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Carbon sequestration, Demand reduction, Educational opportunity, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Total flood volume, Urban heat island, Water Supply

Green Infrastructure Opportunities and Barriers in the Greater Los Angeles Region analyzes the regulatory barriers to installing green infrastructure in Los Angeles. The types of green infrastructure projects discussed in the report include bioretention cells, bioretention strips/swales, infiltration basins/swales/trenches, planter boxes, constructed wetlands, rainwater capture, permeable pavement, and drywells. The report defines the regulatory landscape for green infrastructure in California, identifies potential for fulfilling multiple regulations and requirements through green infrastructure projects, and lastly, examines the regulatory barriers to green infrastructure implementation.

Dams and Development A New Framework for Decision-Making

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Author: U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (2008)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Environmental Remediation, In situ environmental treatment, Physical contaminant removal

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, Water quality, Water supply reliability

Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites contains fourteen case studies conducted throughout the United States that incorporated sustainable environmental practices into remediation of contaminated sites. The report names this strategy ‘green remediation’ and defines it as, “the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize net environmental benefit of cleanup actions”. The case studies provide examples of how green remediation strategies can increase the net benefit of cleanup, provide project cost savings, and expand the universe of long-term property use or reuse options without compromising cleanup goals.

Institutional Issues for Integrated One Water Management Snapshot Case Studies

Author: Water Research Foundation (WRF), Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), Water Research Australia (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Land Management, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

Institutional Issues for Integrated One Water Management Snapshot Case Studies provides twenty-five case studies that provide practical examples of how agencies and communities worked through institutional barriers. The institutional barriers identified in the report fall under the following categories: 1) planning and partnerships, 2) legislation and regulation, 3) economics and finance, 4) culture, knowledge, and capacity, and 5) citizen and stakeholder engagement. The goal of this report is to provide solutions to these barriers so that communities, organizations, and governments can practice a more integrated and sustainable approach to water resource management.

City Resilience Framework

Author: The Rockefeller Foundation, Arup International Development (2015)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Wastewater Treatment

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Affordability, Community resilience, Educational opportunity, Energy, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Reputation, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

City Resilience Framework provides a framework for analyzing the sustainability of a city. The framework identifies seven qualities of resilient cities (reflective, robust, redundant, flexible, resourceful, inclusive, and integrated) as well as four dimensions of resilient cities: health & wellbeing; economy & society; infrastructure & environment; and leadership & strategy. The report applies the City Resilience Framework to six cities across the globe, where the resiliency of each city was qualitatively analyzed following the four resiliency dimensions.

Water Reuse Project in Virginia Providing Multiple Benefits

Author: U.S. EPA (2015)
Geography: Southern U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, End use energy, Energy, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

Water Reuse Project in Virginia Providing Multiple Benefits provides an example of an effective water reuse project implemented in the Chesapeake Bay. Historically, treated wastewater in the region was discharged into Chesapeake Bay, the water reuse project redirected this water for beneficial uses such as cooling a waste-to-energy plant and irrigating a ball field and a golf course. The benefits produced by this innovative water reuse project include potable water conservation, reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, and discounts on water bills.

OneWaterSF

Author: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Commercial or industrial reuse, Delivery system efficiency, Direct potable reuse, Indirect potable reuse, On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

OneWaterSF is an integrated systems approach adopted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) that aims to provide greater water and energy resource reliability and resiliency, water infrastructure optimization, and contributions to the livability and sustainability of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.The source contains examples of OneWaterSF programs in San Francisco, including a Water Reuse Program, a Resource Recovery and Solar Energy Program, a Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Westside Recycled Water Project and San Francisco Groundwater Project. The benefits cited in these projects and programs include water and energy savings, stormwater management, restoration of watersheds and ecosystems, improvements to community aesthetics, and increased educational opportunities.

What’s getting in the way of a “One Water” approach to water services planning and management?

Author: Mukheibir, Howe, & Gallet, (2014)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Desalination, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Flood Control, Land Management, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

What’s Getting in the way of ‘One Water’ approach to water services planning and management? presents findings of research on the barriers and challenges encountered by water agencies and institutions on adopting a ‘One Water’ approach to water services planning and management. It categorizes the drivers and challenges into three groups: the “push of the present,” the “pull of the future,” and the “weight of the past.” Five key areas that presented challenges were identified through a literature review; these included legislation and regulations, economics and finance, planning and collaboration, culture and capacity, and citizen engagement.

Public Private Partnerships and Finance of Large-Scale Green Infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin

Author: Sinha et al., Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc; Corvias; Encourage Capital (2017)
Geography: Midwestern U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, Low impact landscaping, Reforestation and forest conservation, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Energy, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply

Public Private Partnerships and Finance of Large-Scale Green Infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin is a report presenting the outcome of an initiative to implement “large-scale” green infrastructure projects using private financing and/or private delivery in the Great Lakes Basin. “Large-scale” is defined as a green infrastructure project that requires an investment of at least $50 million in a particular region. The report identifies main economic and regulatory drivers for green infrastructure, as well as presents a decision tree as a tool to help communities decide if private financing is appropriate for their needs.

The implications of drought and water conservation on the reuse of municipal wastewater: Recognizing impacts and identifying mitigation possibilities

Author: Tran, Jassby, & Schwabe, (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

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

The implications of drought and water conservation on the reuse of municipal wastewater: Recognizing impacts and identifying mitigation possibilities illustrates how drought and water conservation strategies, such as water reuse, can lead to a reduction in effluent quantity and quality. The report demonstrates that as influent decreases as a result of drought and water conservation strategies, influent pollution concentrations (especially salinity) and wastewater treatment plant costs increase, ultimately leading to a decrease in effluent quality and flow. The report includes a case study of Southern California’s most recent drought and a water reuse decision support model (RWRM) to mitigate drought impacts on water quality.

UWIN Webinar Series: Research Series

Author: Urban Water Innovation Network (UWIN) (2015)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Land Management, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply

UWIN Webinars, Research Seminar Series provides webinars on the One Water Solutions Institute research. The webinars are divided into four series, or thrusts: Thrust A addresses the sustainability of urban water systems by comparing past land and water use trends to future predictions, Thrust B examines solutions for sustainability of urban water systems using data and models, Thrust C discusses how cities can encourage the adoption of sustainable water management solutions, and finally, Thrust D analyzes how decision making can be advanced through integration of data, models, and results from past projects. The results from Thrust D will form the basis for the sustainability metrics/indicators utilized in the UWIN Urban Water Sustainability Blueprint.

Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement

Author: U.S. EPA (2017)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Educational opportunity, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Urban heat island, Water quality

Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement analyzes green infrastructure projects in parks and the resulting benefits. The report uses case studies to discuss the multiple benefits and encourage cities to invest in green infrastructure projects within their public parks. The multiple benefits cited within the report include recreation value, attractive park features, social and environmental equity, reduced maintenance, drainage, education, water quality, economic benefits, and overall benefits to environment.

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

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Energy Down the Drain: The Hidden Costs of California’s Water Supply

Author: Cohen, Nelson, & Wolff, NRDC, Pacific Institute (2004)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Delivery system efficiency, On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy production, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Energy Down the Drain: The Hidden Costs of California’s Water Supply analyzes the connections between power and water resources in California. The report presents several key findings: 1) water conservation lowers energy use and energy bills, 2) water recycling is a highly energy efficient water source, 3) retiring agricultural land may increase energy use if the water is transferred to other agricultural or urban uses, 4) Retiring agricultural land can save energy if the water is dedicated to the environment, and 5) diverting water above dams costs an enormous amount of power and money. Based on these findings it is recommended that decision makers better integrate energy into water policy decision-making, as well as give water conservation higher priority.

Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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

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

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Just the FACTS: Dams in California

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Dam removals, Land Management, Surface Water Storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Energy production, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Water supply reliability

Just the FACTS: Dams in California highlights several key considerations of dams in California. The considerations include the crucial role of dams in water management in California, the multiple objectives that dams are designed to meet and the conflicts that exist within these objectives, the need for dam infrastructure upgrades, the benefits of new dams, and the reasons to remove old dams. The multiple benefits of dams include supplying water, reducing flood risk, providing energy, and recreation, however, in order to provide these benefits dam operations conflict with several public benefits, including wildlife habitats and recreation.

The Value of Water Supply Reliability in the Residential Sector

Author: Raucher et al., WateReuse Research Foundation, Bureau of Reclamation, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (2006)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural nonpotable reuse, Brackish desalination, Desalination, Indirect potable reuse, On site nonpotable reuse, Seawater desalination, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Water Reuse

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

The Value of Water Supply Reliability in the Residential Sector describes residential customer’s willingness to pay for improving water reliability. The ‘stated preference’ surveys revealed that residential customers were willing to pay in the range of $20-$40 per year to improve water supply reliability and avoid relatively severe water use restrictions, but are not willing to pay as much to reduce low-level water use restrictions. The survey also revealed that water reuse had large customer support, whereas raising water rates and increasing water imports did not have much support.

Global Review of Physical and Biological Effectiveness of Stream Habitat Rehabilitation

Author: Roni, Hanson, & Beechie, (2008)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Dam removals, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Land Management, Riparian buffers, Sediment addition, Stream protection and restoration

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

Global Review of Physical and Biological Effectiveness of Stream Habitat Rehabilitation is a literature review that assesses 345 studies of inland freshwater habitat restoration projects throughout the world. The case studies include projects such as road improvements, riparian restoration, floodplain connectivity restoration, instream habitat improvement, and nutrient addition, as well as many more. For each case study, an analysis was conducted on the techniques used, project outcomes, and overall effectiveness in improving habitat and water quality, and increasing fish production. The report concludes that reconnection of isolated habitats, instream habitat improvement, and floodplain restoration have been proven to be effective in improving habitats and increasing fish production.

Drivers for and against municipal wastewater recycling: A review

Author: Kunz et al., (2016)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: On site nonpotable 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: Kunz et al., (2015)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural nonpotable reuse, On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable 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.

Waste Less, Pollute Less: Using Urban Water Conservation to Advance Clean Water Act Compliance

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Urban indoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Waste Less, Pollute Less: Using Urban Water Conservation to Advance Clean Water Act Compliance (blog and issue brief) presents the case for water conservation and efficiency measures to help municipalities and wastewater treatment facilities improve compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. The authors call on the U.S. EPA and the States to implement measures to support increased water conservation and efficiency measures with the goal of improving CWA compliance.

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

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Conservation design, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Infiltration or filtration, Low impact landscaping, On site nonpotable 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.

Bay Area Project Tackles Sea-Level Rise and Water Quality

Author: Meadows, NewsDeeply Water Deeply (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood Control

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Flooding, Peak flood volume, Water quality

Bay Area Project Tackles Sea-Level Rise and Water Quality reports on a creative adaptive management strategy that has been applied to a section of the San Francisco Bay to help with sea-level rise and improve water quality. The strategy is called a “horizontal levee,” which uses vegetation on a slope to break wave impact. In the article they cite benefits for salt marshes that are at risk for disappearance due to sea-level rise, and benefits to water quality as a result of naturally occurring soil microbes uptaking nutrients in the wastewater delivered to the levee. Additionally, water that passes through the levee exhibits reduced pharmaceutical content.

Oro Loma Horizontal Levee Vegetation Report

Author: Save the Bay (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Embankment and horizontal levees, Flood Control

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Flooding, Peak flood volume, Water quality

The Oro Loma Horizontal Levee Project is a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional project combining the expertise of numerous project partners to address multiple functions for the Oro Loma wastewater treatment facility. The project converted a 10-acre field along the San Francisco Bay’s edge into an eight-million gallon holding basin connected to a horizontal levee. Water from the wastewater treatment plant will be further treated by the vegetation in the holding basin and through microbial uptake as it passes through the horizontal levee before entering the Bay. The system also serves to protect the wastewater treatment facility from sea level rise.

Techno-economic assessment and environmental impacts of desalination technologies

Author: Mezher et al., (2011)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

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: Mika et al., UCLA Grand Challenges (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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 nonpotable reuse, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Spreading basins, Urban and industrial nonpotable 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.

Co-benefits for Water and Biodiversity from the Sustainable Management of High Nature Value Farmland

Author: Moran & Sullivan, Centre for Environmental Research Innovation and Sustainability (2017)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Floodplain connectivity and rehabilitation, Land Management, Low impact landscaping

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

Co-benefits for Water and Biodiversity from the Sustainable Management of High Nature Value Farmland examines the potential for high nature value farmland in Ireland. The types of high nature value landscapes cited in the report include farmed uplands, calcareous grassland and limestone pavement, machair/coastal grasslands, wet grasslands, islands, river floodplains, and the Wexford slobs. The report discusses water quality and water quantity benefits, as well as potential biodiversity benefits that can result from the maintenance of high nature value landscapes.

Making the Utility Case for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems

Author: National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (US Water Alliance, Water Research Foundation) (2018)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: On site nonpotable reuse, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Affordability, Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Total flood volume, Water quality, Water supply reliability

Making the Utility Case for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems is a report that 1) defines the scope of onsite non-potable water systems, 2) highlights how utilities are using onsite non-potable water systems to meet One Water goals, 3) presents key considerations for implementing onsite non-potable water systems, and 4) outlines the role of utility leadership in implementing onsite non-potable water systems. The report also includes case studies from throughout the U.S. that illustrate the multiple benefits produced from onsite non-potable water systems, including system resilience, diversification of water supplies, stormwater management and pollution reduction, compliance with policy and regulatory requirements, reducing capital costs, enhancing environmental and community facilities, providing opportunities for public-private partnerships, and technology advancement.

Making better recycled water investment decisions: Shifts happen

Author: Institute for Sustainable Futures (2013)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Regulatory compliance, Reputation, Risk and Resilience

Making better recycled water investment decisions: Shifts happen compiles the lessons learned from eight water recycling project case studies conducted internationally. The particular focus is on the business-related risks and uncertainties over the life of the water recycling project. The report identifies ways to make better water investment decisions to enhance the benefits and minimize the costs of water recycling.

Policy settings, regulatory frameworks and recycled water schemes

Author: Institute for Sustainable Futures (2013)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Affordability, Ambient water quality, Health and safety, People and Community, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water supply reliability

Policy settings, regulatory frameworks and recycled water schemes analyzes eight water recycling case studies conducted internationally to illustrate how the associated project investment decisions are influenced by regulations and legal frameworks. The main focus areas are environmental protection of receiving waters, water security, developer charges, and recycled water scheme regulation to protect public health. Within each of these areas, various co-benefits are discussed.

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

Author: Jiménez & Asano, (2008)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

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

The Hidden Value of Landscapes: Implications for Drought Planning

Author: Johnson, Koski, & O'Connor, Colorado State University (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Air quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Total flood volume, Urban heat island, Water supply reliability

The Hidden Value of Landscapes: Implications for Drought Planning analyzes the impacts of landscaping on quality of life, environment, and land values in Colorado. The report illustrates that while landscaping can provide the primary goal of drought relief, it also provides a suite of co-benefits. These benefits include environmental benefits (i.e., air quality, carbon sequestration, cooling effects, stormwater management, and wildlife habitat), increased real estate value, and enhanced community and health.

Barriers and Gateways to Green Infrastructure

Author: Clean Water America Alliance (2011)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Carbon sequestration, End use energy, Energy, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, Local economy, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Total flood volume, Urban heat island

Barriers and Gateways to Green Infrastructure identifies and explores the major barriers to implementation of green infrastructure for stormwater management. The barriers were identified through a survey of various stakeholder groups from across the United States, and included the following themes: technical and physical barriers, legal and regulatory barriers, financial barriers, and community and institutional barriers. The report also provides several recommendations to the U.S. EPA for overcoming these barriers, including creation of new stormwater regulations and permits, full accounting for economic and environmental benefits, embracing of new stormwater approaches, and increased federal funding for green infrastructure.

Desalination, with a Grain of Salt: A California Perspective

Author: Cooley, Gleick, & Wolff, Pacific Institute (2006)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, Seawater

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Drinking water quality, Extreme events, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water quality, Water supply reliability

Desalination, with a Grain of Salt: A California Perspective presents an overview of the benefits and risks of ocean desalination, with a focus on the economic, cultural, and environmental benefits and costs. The benefits cited within this report include water quality, water supply diversity and reliability, energy intensity, and environmental impacts. The report concludes that the economic costs are high and other options may be available, including treating low-quality local water sources, encouraging regional water transfers, improving conservation and efficiency, accelerating wastewater recycling and reuse, and implementing smart land-use planning.

Systemic solutions for multi-benefit water and environmental management

Author: Everard & McInnes, (2013)
Geography: Outside U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural flooding, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Conservation design, Constructed stormwater wetlands, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, Low impact landscaping, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Agriculture, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Peak flood volume, People and Community, Recreation, Total flood volume, Water quality

Systemic solutions for multi-benefit water and environmental management provides an academic, theoretical critique on the evaluation of multi-benefit systems. The report comprises case studies of successful green infrastructure projects, including constructed wetlands, urban ecosystem technologies, agricultural washlands, and integrated constructed wetlands.

Impacts of forest restoration on water yield: A systematic review

Author: Filoso et al., (2017)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Water-use efficiency and productivity: rethinking the basin approach

Author: Gleick, Smith, & Cooley, (2011)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Delivery system efficiency, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, End use energy, Energy, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Water-use efficiency and productivity: rethinking the basin approach is a response to a paper in Water International. The paper highlights major components of inefficient water use that were ignored, examines water productivity rather than just water efficiency, and discusses co-benefits. The co-benefits of water-use efficiency examined are improved water quality, increased production, improved water supply reliability, decreased energy demands, and reduced or delayed infrastructure investments.

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

Author: Golden & Hoghooghi, (2017)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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.

Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel Bi-Annual Report (2011-2013)

Author: Gunasekara, California Department of Food and Agriculture (2013)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural land management, Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Agriculture, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Energy production, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Resource recovery, Soil health, Water quality

Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel – Bi-Annual Report (2011-2013) is a resource developed by the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel and organized by Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The advisory panel aims to review the impact of agriculture on the environment and encourage agricultural practices with environmental benefits by providing incentives and modifying environmental regulations. The environmental benefit categories established by the advisory panel include: wildlife habitats; nutrient cycling; food, fiber, and fuel production; recreation and cultural; soil structure, formation, and fertility; biodiversity conservation; water cycling; atmospheric gas/climate regulation; pest control; pollination services; and water quality.

California Water Plan, Update 2009, Volume 2: Resource Management Strategies

Author: California Department of Water Resources (2009)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Agricultural land management, Brackish desalination, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Delivery system efficiency, Desalination, Direct potable reuse, Drywells, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Indirect potable reuse, Land Management, Recharge area protection, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers, Seawater desalination, Spreading basins, Storm drains and pipes, Stream protection and restoration, Surface Water Storage, 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: Demand reduction, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

The California Water Plan presents a guide on water management strategies that can provide multiple benefits both regionally and statewide in California. The management strategies are organized by goals, such as reducing water demand, improving operational efficiency, or improving water quality, and the benefits are categorized under water supply, drought preparedness, water quality, operational flexibility, flood impacts, environmental benefits, energy benefits, recreation, and groundwater overdraft risk. The report also includes guidance on the quantitative analysis of multiple benefits for policymakers and water resource managers.

Central Valley Flood Protection Plan 2017 Update

Author: California Department of Water Resources (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Land Management

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Agriculture, Air quality, Ambient water quality, Carbon sequestration, Community resilience, Extreme events, Flood Control, Habitat and biodiversity, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, Soil health, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan asserts that institutional frameworks hinder implementation of multi-benefit actions and outlines a framework to facilitate design and construction of multi-benefit projects. The report organizes Design Within Reach (DWR) Flood Management programs with the flood management policy issues they address, as well as discusses multi-benefit improvements for ecosystem vitality for specific projects. It includes a qualitative discussion of multi-benefit projects, defining them as projects designed to reduce flood risk and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, as well as create additional public benefits such as sustaining agricultural production, improving water quality and water supply reliability, increasing groundwater recharge, supporting commercial fisheries, and providing public recreation and educational opportunities, or any combination thereof.

Review of IRWM Planning and Implementation in California

Author: California Department of Water Resources (2015)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Desalination, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Groundwater Management, Land Management, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Community resilience, Drinking water quality, Educational opportunity, Flood Control, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Review of IRWM Planning and Implementation in California presents an assessment of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) planning and implementation practices that supports California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) Strategic Plan. DWR aims to work with regions in California to develop Integrated Regional Water Management Plans (IRWMPs) and prioritize proposals for funding that include multiple benefit projects.

Adapting to Change: Utility Systems and Declining Flows

Author: California Urban Water Agencies (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Direct potable reuse, Flood Control, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, On site nonpotable reuse, Storm drains and pipes, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Extreme events, In stream flows, Land and environment, Regulatory compliance, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Adapting to Change: Utility Systems and Declining Flows explores the consequences of reduced indoor flows related to conservation on urban water supply systems in California. The report illustrates that demand management through water use efficiency can have many co-benefits including improved drought resilience, improved in-stream flows, reduced or deferred cost of infrastructure, and reduced energy costs; declining flows, however, can negatively impact water distribution, conveyance, wastewater treatment, and recycled water policy. Specific examples and details are presented within the report, including survey and interview data.

Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Storm Water (Storm Water Strategy, STORMS)

Author: California State Water Resources Control Board (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

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

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Flooding, Peak flood volume, Regulatory compliance, Risk and Resilience, Total flood volume, Water quality

Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Storm Water is a California State Water Board statewide strategy for stormwater management. The STORMS program mission is “to lead the evolution of stormwater management in California by advancing the perspective that stormwater is a valuable resource, supporting policies for collaborative watershed-level stormwater management and pollution prevention, removing obstacles to funding, developing resources, and integrating regulatory and non-regulatory interests.” The strategy includes various stormwater management initiatives including improving policy and regulation around stormwater capture and use, establishing a monetary value of stormwater, and encouraging stakeholder support of stormwater management best practices.