Youth vision for water-smart region from EUSALP Slovenian Presidency Brochure

EUSALP YC non-paper on smart water

(pdf - 819 KB)

To draft this document, each national delegation of the Youth Council worked on it by addressing the topic of smart water management in their respective regions. Here are all the contributions from the members of the Youth Council:

Protecting Water Resources in the Alpine Region

Water resources are crucial for both human societies and ecosystems, especially in regions like the Alps where snow plays a fundamental role. However, climate change and human activities are posing significant challenges to the availability and quality of these resources.

Current State of Water Resource Protection

In the Lombardy region, the regulation on the use of river water is considerable satisfactory, with policies in place to promote ecological flow, which is essential for preserving ecosystems. However, the increasing use of snow machines in ski resorts and hydroelectric power generation are consuming significant amounts of water and energy, often to the detriment of river ecosystems.

According to statistics, freshwater consumption is divided as follows: 70% in agriculture, 22% in industry, and 8% for human consumption and services. These figures highlight the need for policies that take into account the major consumers of water resources.

Despite these regulations, the Italian Alps are experiencing a significant snow deficit. An analysis by the CIMA Research Foundation reveals a 29% snow deficit, which, although an improvement from the 66% deficit at the end of 2023 and early 2024, still indicates a worrying trend. This snow drought is contributing to critical hydrological conditions in major rivers like the Po and Adige, affecting both ecosystems and human societies.

Measures to Prevent Negative Impacts

To address the negative impacts of climate change on water resources in the Alpine area, several measures can be taken:

-Regulation of Mountain Waters: Implementing recommendations for the regulation of mountain waters can help preserve the delicate balance of these ecosystems. This includes maintaining ecological flows and protecting water quality.

-Scientific Research: Conducting scientific studies on the causes of snow scarcity and other climate-related issues can provide valuable insights for developing effective mitigation strategies. Understanding the underlying factors driving these changes is essential for creating targeted interventions.

Empowering communities: Encouraging community involvement in water management initiatives can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. Young people can be engaged through volunteer programs, local conservation projects, and citizen science initiatives.

Examples:
Lakes: The drought has led to critically low water levels in many of Northern Italy’s lakes, such as Lake Como and Lake Garda. These lakes are essential for maintaining local biodiversity, providing habitats for various aquatic species. Reduced water levels can lead to higher water temperatures and lower oxygen levels, which can be detrimental to fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, the surrounding wetlands and riparian zones, which depend on stable water levels, are also affected, leading to a loss of biodiversity. 

Ski Resorts: The lack of snowfall has been particularly challenging for ski resorts in the Italian Alps. Snow droughts, characterized by reduced snowfall and shorter snow seasons, have become more frequent. This not only affects the natural landscape but also the availability of water resources for snowmaking, which is crucial for maintaining ski slopes. The reduced snow cover also impacts the alpine flora and fauna, which are adapted to specific snow conditions.

Tourism: The ski industry is a significant economic driver in Northern Italy. Ski resorts attract millions of tourists each year, contributing substantially to the local economy. However, the reduced snowfall and shorter ski seasons have led to a decline in tourist numbers. Resorts are forced to invest heavily in artificial snowmaking, which is both costly and resource-intensive. This increased expenditure, coupled with lower revenues from tourism, puts financial strain on the ski industry.

Agriculture: The drought also affects agriculture, which is a vital part of Northern Italy’s economy. The Po Valley, known as Italy’s breadbasket, relies heavily on water from rivers and lakes for irrigation. The reduced water availability has led to lower crop yields, affecting the livelihoods of farmers and increasing food prices. This, in turn, impacts the broader economy, as agriculture is closely linked to food processing and other related industries.

Hydroelectric Power: Northern Italy relies on hydroelectric power for a significant portion of its energy needs. The reduced water levels in lakes and rivers have led to lower hydroelectric power generation, forcing the region to rely more on fossil fuels, which are more expensive and environmentally damaging. This shift not only increases energy costs but also contributes to higher greenhouse gas emissions.

A) In the Alpine region, the protection of water resources faces significant challenges, particularly due to the impacts of climate change and pollution. One example among others is the Vercors region in France, which experiences issues with excessive water usage for snow cannons in low-altitude ski resorts. This is exacerbated by the lack of snowfall, leading to an unsustainable demand on water resources. Additionally, droughts have become more frequent, leading to water restrictions early in the year that affect both natural environments, agriculture, and recreational activities. These examples highlight that current protections are insufficient to address the growing pressures on water resources.

B) To mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on water resources in the Alpine region, several measures could be implemented:

Improved Decision-Making Structures: Establishing more robust governance structures to manage water resources, ensuring that decisions are made in a way that takes into account both current needs and future climate scenarios.

Reforestation of Watersheds: Reforestation efforts in watershed areas can help stabilize the water cycle, reduce erosion, and improve water quality.

Regional Action Plans: Developing and implementing regional action plans focused on creating more resilient water management strategies. This could include better regulation of water usage, investment in infrastructure to reduce water loss, and promoting practices that enhance water conservation.

C) Empowering communities, particularly young people, to contribute to smart water management can be achieved through several strategies:

Education and Awareness Campaigns: Educating young people about the importance of water conservation and the impacts of climate change can inspire them to take action in their communities. This could include school programs, workshops, and community projects focused on water management.

Youth Involvement in Decision-Making: Creating platforms where young people can participate in local and regional water management decisions, such as youth councils or advisory boards, ensures that their voices are heard and considered.

Support for Community-Led Initiatives: Encouraging and supporting community-led projects that focus on sustainable water use, such as rainwater harvesting, the creation of green spaces, or local reforestation efforts, can provide practical ways for young people to get involved.

Bodensee Wasserversorgung (Lake Constance water supply) is one of Germany’s largest water supplies with about 4 million people in 320 cities/communities → Organizing online and offline events on the topic of (smart) water management and a possible on-site visit for young people to the waterworks on the Sipplinger Berg (near Lake Constance) 

• Invasive species due to higher lake temperatures and globalization → how to deal with it?
• Resistance against floods as there is more rain and less snow due to climate change, leading to a bigger flooding risk than in previous 

The “Augsburger water management system” has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 2019 with 22 different objects (monumental fountains, hydraulic structures, drinking water plant, power plant, canals, watercourses). These monuments demonstrate the great importance of (historical) water management and the very important subject of “water”. These water Systems moreover Show the sustainable use of hydropower and the resource-conserving separation of drinking and process.

Germany does not have a lot hydro-electric power because our terrain is not as mountainous compared to other countries. Therefore, we need to either import green hydro-energy from our alpine neighbors or generate it with different green technologies like solar or wind. From our point of view a connected alpine energy grid makes absolute sense.

In the Slovenian Alps, water resources are generally abundant and of high quality. (lower population in the alps) Here are the concerns: 

Tourism: Increased tourism in the Alps can lead to water pollution, particularly from waste and runoff from ski resorts, hiking trails, and accommodation facilities.

Plastic and waste pollution: microplastic contamination due to airborne transport and waste mismanagement.

Slovenia has strong environmental protection laws, and many parts of the Alps fall within protected areas like Triglav National Park. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on enforcement and adaptation to new challenges posed by climate change.

While protection is in place, ongoing efforts to address climate change's impacts on water resources are crucial. Strengthening adaptive measures and monitoring pollution sources are key to ensuring that the Slovenian Alps' water resources remain sustainable in the face of these challenges.

Switzerland, often referred to as the 'Wasserschloss Europas', is home to a wealth of lakes, natural sources, and glaciers. The Swiss mountains, the birthplace of many rivers, play a significant role in shaping the lives of people across Central Europe. Water, a crucial renewable energy source, forms a substantial part of Switzerland's electricity supply, underscoring the importance of the Swiss water world. 

However, due to climate change, our glaciers are melting, and the government expects regional and seasonal water shortages and consumer behavior to threaten water quality. In about 80 years, almost all of them will be gone. The consequences are far-reaching – not just for the Swiss water world and the population but also for Europe. 

The following issues should be addressed: 

1. What are possible solutions/approaches to address water scarcity during dry periods (summer)? 

2. How can we reduce water consumption and pollution? 

3. How can we reduce pesticide use and livestock density in agriculture?

Concrete examples of water management issues: 

• The impact of climate change is clearly evident in the unprecedented storms that struck the Valais and Ticino regions on June 29 and 30, 2024, causing severe flooding, significant destruction, and even fatalities. This starkly contrasts with 2023, a year marked by low precipitation in Ticino, where tourists were urged to conserve water due to shortages.

• The commune of Grimisuat in Valais aims to limit its population to 5,000 residents to prevent water supply issues, demonstrating demographic control as a strategy for managing water resources effectively.

• The Swiss population uses one of the highest quantities of water per capita per day in Europe.

• The local management of the Swiss water network makes it difficult to distribute water evenly across different regions which could be particularly negative in periods of drought for more isolated regions. 

• A ban on the construction of new homes in the village of Enges, Neuchâtel, in 2019 due to the risk of a shortage of drinking water.

Best practice: 

• The Hydriscore, recently introduced in Nyon, Switzerland, exemplifies best practice in resource management. This real-time index, rating from 0 to 4, informs residents about the city's water reserves and necessary consumption vigilance levels, especially during peak summer usage. By indicating the origin of the water and current reserve levels, it raises awareness and encourages mindful consumption to sustain both groundwater and lake resources.

• To overcome the problem of differing water supplies in different regions, some municipalities are already implementing solutions to distribute water to other areas. The city of Zurich, for example, supplies drinking water to over 60 municipalities in the canton on an as-needed basis.

Water management in Liechtenstein is crucial due to the country's small size and limited natural resources. As a landlocked nation nestled in the Alps, Liechtenstein relies heavily on its rivers, groundwater, and rainfall for water supply. Effective water management ensures a sustainable balance between the needs of its population, agriculture, and industry, while also protecting against potential natural disasters such as floods and droughts. By prioritizing water conservation and quality, Liechtenstein can maintain its environmental health, support its economy, and ensure the well-being of its citizens for generations to come.

Water management in Liechtenstein

In Liechtenstein, water management is organized at the municipal level, which introduces challenges in coordinating efforts across the country. With each municipality responsible for its own water resources, differences in policies and practices can arise, making it harder to implement cohesive strategies for water conservation, quality control, and disaster preparedness. Effective communication and collaboration between municipalities are essential to ensure that water resources are managed sustainably and that the country as a whole can address issues like climate change, pollution, and water scarcity with a unified approach.

In Liechtenstein, energy production and water management are closely linked, particularly through the use of hydropower. The Liechtenstein Power Authority (LKW) produces electricity from 100% renewable sources, primarily hydropower and solar energy. LKW operates twelve hydropower plants, which generate around 18% of the country’s electricity, equivalent to approximately 72,000 MWh annually. Despite this, Liechtenstein's domestic production only meets about 25% of its total electricity needs, necessitating significant imports from neighboring countries. The hydropower plants, which play a critical role in this energy mix, underscore the importance of effective water management. Since water is not only vital for sustaining life but also for generating renewable energy, careful coordination of water resources at the municipal level becomes even more essential. While the decentralized nature of water management can complicate efforts, it is crucial for ensuring that both the environmental and energy needs of the country are met sustainably. Additionally, Liechtenstein’s reliance on imported energy highlights the need for continued investment in local renewable energy sources and the efficient management of domestic resources to enhance energy independence and security.

Examples:

• Waterfootprint.li: In Liechtenstein, a notable example of successful coordinated water management is the "Waterfootprint Liechtenstein" initiative. This project, a collaboration between businesses, public entities, and restaurant patrons, has provided more than 41,000 people in less privileged parts of the world with access to clean drinking water. The initiative encourages the consumption of tap water over bottled mineral water, using the savings to collect donations. This collective effort, which surpassed its initial goal of helping one person for every resident of Liechtenstein, highlights the country’s commitment to sustainability and global water equity. Through partnerships with Swiss organizations such as Helvetas and Waterkiosk, the initiative has funded projects in countries like Nepal, Mali, Bangladesh, and Zambia. This coordinated effort not only emphasizes the importance of water management at a local level but also showcases how small nations can have a significant impact on global water sustainability. By linking local water usage with global benefits, Waterfootprint Liechtenstein sets a powerful example of how coordinated water management and responsible consumption can contribute to achieving broader sustainability goals.

Austria, like Switzerland, is home to many lakes, rivers, and glaciers. To preserve the beauty and safety of our waters for years and generations to come, with a specific objective including that “groundwater and spring water have to be kept so clean that they can be used as drinking water”.

Examples of good practice: 

• Vienna’s Smart Water Management System - “Smart City Vienna” project

Vienna’s city government has created a smart water management system to use water more efficiently and improve climate resilience. The system uses real-time data and AI to track water use and detect leaks quickly, benefiting both public and private sectors. The city also promotes green roofs and rainwater collection to manage stormwater and save water during droughts. Part of the collected rainwater is returned to the natural water cycle, and this system works in public areas connected to the sewer system with enough space for water collection basins.

Led by Vienna’s Environmental Department, this effort is part of the "Smart City Vienna" plan to reduce water waste, improve stormwater management, and better handle flooding and droughts. → https://www.climatehub.si/enhancing-climate-resilience-through-water-conservation-good-practice-1/ 

• Urban Waste Water Management

Urban waste water management in Austria is very efficient, biological, and in line with EU standards. A total of 100% of urban waste water is treated in accordance with the UWWTD (Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive), which is well above the EU average of 76%.