Rainwater

Rainwater management is a major priority in climate change adaptation. Although the quantity of rainwater is globally relatively stable, all uses are affected by events that are becoming more intense and sometimes catastrophic, especially long and harsh droughts.

There are numerous and varied technical and scientific approaches to flood protection, surface infiltration and permeability, rainwater transport, storage and reuse, and more.

French local authorities are responsible for Aquatic Environment Management and Flood Prevention (GEMAPI), which links this issue to other key areas of responsibility such as urban development and highways.

Looking beyond technology, integrated water resources management (IWRM) and the associated management plans should model changes in rainfall patterns and incorporate considerations around pollution transported by run-off and infiltration in particular.