Cross-posted from: https://feddit.de/post/10267743

In November, the Pacific Institute released a major update to the Water Conflict Chronology, adding more than 350 new verified incidents when water has been a trigger, weapon, target, or casualty of violence.

But new research by the Institute also shows significant opportunities to expand water efficiency and reuse strategies. In turn, these can reduce pressures on water resources—and reduce the risk of conflict.

Research launched last month found there is substantial opportunity to capture more urban stormwater across the United States, thus enhancing communities’ water resilience. The pivotal study found the US average annual urban stormwater runoff exceeds 59.5 million acre-feet (73.5 cubic kilometers) annually, equivalent to 93% of municipal and industrial water withdrawals. This equates to more than 53 billion gallons per day using an annual average!

New approaches like increasing stormwater capture can help urban communities address water scarcity risks, more severe and frequent flooding and drought due to climate change, and constraints on traditional water supplies. Pacific Institute research highlights how such water efficiency and reuse strategies can play a major role—both in the United States and globally—meeting key UN Sustainable Development Goal targets, while reducing pressures on water resources and the risk of conflict.