Rainwater Harvesting: Resilient Water Resource Management Strategy in Urban Settings

摘要

U.S. CITIES—HOME TO NEARLY 83% OF THE COUNTRY’S population—are facing a host of water challenges. Urban population growth, commercial and industrial activity, and high water demand have led to heavy use of surface water and groundwater from beyond urban boundaries, threatened surface water ecosystems, depleted groundwater, and demanded energy resources to transport water to cities. Since the September 11 terrorist attack, water security, including water-related cybersecurity, has become a dominant issue. Concerns about the impact of climate change on water resources and water infrastructure management and policy have been growing. And the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed a troubling range of preexisting water management and water infrastructure problems, particularly in low-income communities, highlighting the need for environmental justice and social equity. Yet one important resource to help address these challenges is literally going down the drain.