Aquatuur

ongoing

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible and felt. The temperature rise causes more frequent and extreme weather conditions that affect our water system. In addition, there is an increased tension between the needs of society and the resilience of the water system, including flooding and scarcity. Robust water system in the Scheldemond region thanks to Aquatuur Within the Scheldemond region, this field of tension is also increasingly expressed. For example, the combination of climate change and hardening increases the time difference between the availability of water and its use, and water storage is needed to counter this. Many water sources also have insufficient quality for certain applications. Through research and cases, the project aims to increase freshwater availability and create a robust water system that is resistant to climate shocks while providing the necessary functions and services. The project focuses on three factors: water storage, purification and increase. As far as water storage is concerned, among other things, in West Flanders in freshwater basins at farms, the impact on local biodiversity is being investigated by means of ‘milding’ measures such as spout mats with rough wall, a floating natural rafter to counteract one-sided water surface and peripheral planting to increase land biotope near water. In the field of purification, a green blue, landscapeable solution in the form of a CW will be provided at the Ringbeek (West Flanders, Oostkamp, river stream and Hertsbergebeek). Especially during the summer after long periods of drought and subsequent intense rain showers, this is frequently exceeded the standards for nitrogen and phosphorus. Within the ‘increase’ section, Aquatuur gives extra attention to non-technological aspects in order to increase the long-term impact and to allow them to be introduced at different areas and policy levels, developing a practical guide and working out barriers by organising ‘Glass at the neighbours’ workshops in VL and NL with governments, sector representatives and civil society organisations and a roadmap will be drawn up on the basis of the results already obtained.

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