Improved water quality

Győr and its surroundings boast many rivers, streams and lakes, and experiences intense flooding almost every year. The main goal of Nagy-Pándzsa project was to reduce the risk of flood and to regenerate the Nature 2000 area (Reference 7). Due to the reconstruction of the water transporting feature and the reconstruction of the flood-gate, the flood protection could improve and the pollution of waters could decrease. Therefore, the conditions of flora and fauna of waters improved and the size of the utilizable area increased (Reference 8).

The Sowe Valley Project was a community-based project focusing on rivers restoration. It aimed to link the local community with the Sowe River Valley and to improve the valley’s biodiversity and habitats for the benefits of people and wildlife. (Ref. 2, 6, 11-13)

The Bio Washing Machine is a combination of an Aquifer Thermal Heat Storage (ATES) system and biological natural attenuation of groundwater and is thereby mainly focused on groundwater decontamination and energy storage. The ATES system accelerates the biological degradation of groundwater contamination and provides sustainable energy because cold water is pumped through buildings during the summer to cool the buildings and hot water during winter for heating. The groundwater decontamination measurements are aimed at protecting water in order to provide safe drinking water (ref. 1, 2, 3)

The Bradford Beck project is a pilot project looking at new ways of managing and improving rivers. The Bradford Beck is a small river system of around 11km that flows through the City of Bradford. The beck used to be known as the filthiest river in England. In this project, activities are aimed at bringing the becks back to life and full health, for long term restoration of the Beck. It will provide a new focus of water-based socio-economic regeneration in Bradford (reference 1). The project established that a large proportion of the Bradford Beck catchment could be monitored with observations at just 12 strategic points along the course of the Beck, so observations would be made at all 12 points on different days of the week and at different times of the day (ref 6). A record of the status of the Beck at each point would be taken. This would include the level of the water, the colour of the water, smell, turbidity and a photograph of each site (ref 6).

The surface water system in the VINEX location Leidsche Rijn near Utrecht is a special water system. Nowhere in the Netherlands is the surface water of such a large urban area treated in such a sustainable and climate-proof manner (ref. 2). In Leidsche Rijn, a relatively new city district of Utrecht, a sustainable closed circuit water system was introduced including natural wetlands, bioswales, pumping stations and permeable paving which filters stormwater organically. It is viewed as a more sustainable solution compared to traditional stormwater infrastructure because it benefits biodiversity (e.g. by means of fish passages) and prevents the need for storm water facilities and the influx of unfiltered surface water from elsewhere (ref. 1-3).

The Water of Leith is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals. The river performs an important flood control function in the city. A management plan envisions to create a healthy river that flows through a green corridor from the hills to the sea and is a haven for wildlife, is enjoyed and managed by the public, and is valued for its built and cultural heritage. The current intervention is about an extensive Flood Prevention Scheme. Walls and other flood defence measures have been constructed from Murrayfield downstream to Bonnington. A re-modelling exercise is being carried out to include the impact of climate change on the river system and the efficacy of the flood prevention scheme. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust works to conserve and enhance the river, its heritage and wildlife. It also promotes education and recreation and works with volunteers and community groups (ref 1, 2, 3).

Persistently low water levels on the Moson-Danube since 2002, caused by the sinking of and loss of supportive effect from the Danube, caused severe ecological, agricultural and water flow problems (Reference 12). The project, funded by the EU through the Széchenyi Development Plan, was aimed at improving water management and rehabilitating the degraded ecosystem of the area (Reference 1).
The project consists of two phases: the reconstruction and regeneration of the river in the entire Moson-Danube area, and the creation flood gate at the delta. The first phase was completed in 2015, the second phase started in 2017 and is planned to finish in 2021 (Reference 12 and 13).

This intervention aimed to address low water levels and low water quality in the Sandall Beat Wood and Cantley Park. The problems have been identified by the council and this project was planned to improve the water levels as well as the water quality. This also helped in improving the gross water flow of the regions and protected the wetland habitats. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the project successfully engaged local communities. (Ref 2).

"Renaturation and flood control works on the Grémillon stream are being undertaken in the Nancy agglomeration. The stream is subject to overflows and was highly artificialized during the urban development of the Nancy agglomeration, which caused a slow degradation of the natural environment during strong storms. In order to solve these problems, Grand Nancy has decided to implement a set of measures designed to protect the populations from overflowing of the stream and to support the regaining quality of the natural environment"(Ref. 1).

The £1 million project aimed to transform the area from arable land to a high-quality wetland by creating a number of interconnected reed beds and water bodies. The project recreates part of the old wetland landscape that used to exist on the edge of Doncaster 200 years ago before it was drained for other uses. A major benefit of expanding the wetland will be to provide better quality water for local communities and reduce the impact of flooding in the area. The project is a collaboration among WWF, HSBC, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the European Union. (Ref 1)