Nature-based solutions improving water quality & waterbody conditions: analysis of EU-funded projects

This document summarises outcomes relating to water quality and waterbody conditions from the report ‘Nature-based Solutions: State of the Art in EU-funded Projects’ prepared through the EC’s Valorisation of NBS Projects Initiative. Water legislation is important. Water management laws in European countries stem back centuries and are a central concern for civilisations throughout the ages and across our planet. However, human-induced global warming, climate change and environmental degradation caused by pollution and habitat loss have all placed greater emphasis still on how societies organise the management of access to, or protection from, water - along with interest in the legal frameworks handling water-related disputes between people, communities, cities, regions and countries or even continents. 

Contextualised information is provided on policy developments, research results and key lessons. The resulting evidence base includes figures and monetary values showing the relative cost-effectiveness of NBS, and exploring how they support water policy implementation, on: 

1. Point sources of pollution including combined sewer overflows (CSOs); 
2. Urban drainage and stormwater quality – including urban diffuse pollution control; 
3. Agricultural pollution, land drainage and soil erosion in rural catchments; 
4. Hydromorphology and the restoration of modified waterbodies; and 
5. Wider relationships with cohesion, regeneration, health and wellbeing.