Water – a Finite Resource Lisbon’s water network is constantly being improved and it has one of the lowest water leakage rates in the world, at just 11%. Since 2013, the city has also implemented water efficiency and leakage control measures to reduce drinking water consumption in its own network by 50%. To further improve its performance and reduce water usage, the city is implementing an innovative distribution network for treated waste water through which it aims to reuse more than 1.5 million m3 per year for street cleaning, green space irrigation or industrial uses. A €16 million investment up to 2025, will allow recycled water to reach 30% of the city’s high consumption spots, replacing precious potable water to irrigate green spaces and other non-potable uses. Furthermore, the city is working to enable waste water to be treated to a level that enables it to be reused as drinking water. For now a proof-of-concept project, this demonstrates how it is both safe and technologically viable to further close the loop on the city’s water journey. Nine rainwater retention solutions have been constructed across the city as nature-based solutions to collect and store rainwater, and reduce the effects of flash floods. The solutions include small basins and changes to the plant life to increase a sponge effect in the soil. The Drainage Masterplan is a grey solution composed of two main underground tunnels that can divert the 100-year return of extreme weather events, as well as renovations to the existing sanitation infrastructure to help cope with the more frequent storms. This Drainage Masterplan was the first project in the EU to adopt the Junker Plan, using a €170m EIB loan. It is also the largest public works investment throughout Portugal. A primary strategy to reduce water dependency is being applied with the creation of climate resilient vegetation, including innovative rainfed meadows that are independent of fertilisers, irrigationfree and act as stable CO2 and NO2 sinks. Several green parks are now being planned, based on “raingarden design” whereby all rainwater will be managed in situ. More and more indigenous flora is being planted to reduce the irrigation needs as they require less water than foreign species.
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.