Population growth, industry and irrigation, combined with the effect of climate change, are all increasing the demand for water. Water resource management encompasses a wide range of disciplines and expertise, including integrated water resources management, assessments of the demand and consumption of water for drinking and irrigation purposes, applied hydrology, simulation and modelling of the hydrologic cycle, legislation, river basin management, institutional and capacity building and water resources protection.
Ramboll has extensive experience in water resource management and an impressive portfolio of projects for national and international organisations, governmental institutions, municipalities and water supply companies. Our engineers, hydrologists, geologists, chemists, sociologists and agronomists provide our customers with up-to-date knowledge and hands-on experience in the implemention of water resources management to improve and safeguard our water for the future.
An integrated approach to water management
The key challenges of contemporary water management can only be understood within the very broad context of the world’s socioeconomic systems. It is widely accepted that sustainable and equitable water management must be undertaken using an integrated approach, that assessment of the resource is the basis for rational decision-making,and that national capacities to undertake such assessments must be further supported and expanded from local to international levels.
Our integrated approach to water resources ensures that the management, development and utilisation of water resources take socioeconomic, environmental, sustainability, multi-sectoral water demands, meaningful stakeholder participation and technical factors into account.
Climate change and water quality
Global climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of droughts and floods, and is becoming an ever more important factor for both the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water resources, creating new threats to water resources that need to be managed in a holistic way for future generations. With increasing abstraction rates the question of optimising our useof water resources will become increasingly important to maintain good quality drinking water.
The EU Water Framework Directive
In Europe, the Water Framework Directive defines European ambitions for the protection of our precious water resources. It aims to promote sustainable water consumption, reduce water pollution and to ensure the progressive reduction of groundwater pollution. The Directive takes a holistic approach to these topics, requiring public stakeholder involvement and socioeconomic studies to form part of the planning and implementation process. Ramboll’s integrated expertise in water resources, river basin management, shareholder involvement and water economics enables us to assist our customers with new challenges posed by the Water Framework Directive.
Ensuring safe drinking water
Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right and a key component of an efficient policy for health protection. Managing water resources to safeguard drinking water quality is a global concern and a priority for sustainable development - the provision of safe drinking water is the foundation on which society can flourish. Throughout the world water consumption is increasing, both for drinking and irrigation purposes.
The uneven distribution of surface water and deterioration in its quality, is likely to result in an increasing reliance on groundwater resources during the coming decades. Together with increasing industrialisation, the risk of pollution is added to the risks of over-abstraction and saline intrusion. An integrated approach to water resources management will become ever more important.