{"id":54239,"date":"2026-08-24T06:30:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T04:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/?post_type=blog&p=54239"},"modified":"2026-08-23T22:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T20:01:19","slug":"using-water-as-an-ally-in-climate-adaptation","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/en\/news\/using-water-as-an-ally-in-climate-adaptation\/","title":{"rendered":"Using water as an ally in climate adaptation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In August, water takes centre stage at Sweco. We look at water as a system, because water does not stop at the plot boundary, the discharge pipe or the edge of an industrial estate. Every intervention has an impact on the wider water cycle: from precipitation, infiltration and groundwater<\/a> to process water, wastewater, surface water and reuse.
\nToday, we explore the key role water plays in climate adaptation<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The future of water management lies in coalitions,
\ndata and systems thinking<\/h2>\n

Water is making it increasingly clear how quickly the climate is changing and what this means for our living environment: storms are becoming more intense, waterways are overflowing more often and more severely, droughts are lasting longer, and cities are overheating.<\/p>\n

These challenges cannot be solved simply with more dykes, larger buffers or smarter pumps.<\/p>\n

The real solution lies deeper: we need to approach water once again as one coherent system,<\/strong> involving all sectors and parts of society that use and depend on water. The sea, rivers, canals, streams, groundwater, sewer systems<\/a>, open space, cities, industry and agriculture continuously influence one another.
\nThis calls for a different way of thinking and working together.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Sweco\u2019s water consultants, the future of water management<\/strong> lies:<\/h5>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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in coalitions and collaboration
\nbetween watercourse managers and across sectors<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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in a proactive approach
\nthat looks ahead and makes future-proof choices<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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in digital insights
\nthat support real-time decisions<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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in designs
\nthat create protection, resilience and spatial quality at the same time<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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In doing so, we see water as an ally in climate adaptation<\/a>, rather than a threat to be fought.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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From reacting to water to planning with water<\/h2>\n

For a long time<\/strong>, water management<\/a> was mainly focused on control<\/strong>: draining, channelling, holding back or managing water through technical measures. This approach helped make our cities, agricultural areas, industrial development and infrastructure possible.<\/p>\n

But climate change is putting that model under pressure.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are increasingly facing two extremes at once: periods with too much water and periods with too little water.<\/p>\n

Heavy rainfall causes peak flows and flooding.
\nProlonged drought puts water availability, nature, agriculture, shipping and drinking water reserves under pressure.
\nCoastal areas are facing sea level rise<\/a> and storm surges.
\nWatercourses must be able to drain, buffer, retain and distribute water at the same time.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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In response to this complexity, our water experts approach water management<\/a> with the future in mind<\/strong>:<\/p>\n