Water and Environment Journal 

About: Water and Environment Journal is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Wastewater & Water resources. It has an ISSN identifier of 1747-6585. Over the lifetime, 2200 publications have been published receiving 26857 citations. The journal is also known as: Water and environment journal & WEJ.

The Impact and Sustainability of Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes in Developing Countries

Abstract: Sound strategies for community water supply and sanitation programmes in developing countries should be based on a clear understanding of the existing problems, the beneficial impacts achievable, and the factors which determine sustainability. The impacts of many water and sanitation programmes are limited, and many systems break down and are abandoned prematurely. Only limited impacts are achievable in the short term without greatly increased investment. Sustainability, in the sense of continued delivery and uptake of services, is threatened by numerous attitudinal, institutional and economic factors, and community participation approaches alone are no guarantee of success. The key to sustainability is that all stakeholders involved in consumption/use, maintenance, cost recovery, and continuing support perceive it in their best interests to deliver high quality services. The paper proposes new sets of programme aims and objectives in relation to impact and sustainability, which can be used in programme design, monitoring and evaluation. It also makes longer term recommendations to external support agencies.

The potential of green roofs to manage Urban Stormwater

Abstract: Green roofs have considerable potential for stormwater source control, both for new developments and as a retrofit option. In the United Kingdom the lack of local quantitative performance data and modelling tools, together with more general barriers to sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) implementation, may explain their limited uptake to date. This paper presents preliminary findings from a small-scale instrumented green roof test plot located in Sheffield, UK. During spring 2006 the average volume retention was 34% and the average peak reduction was 57%. The key hydrological determinants were the antecedent dry weather period (ADWP), mean rainfall intensity and rainfall depth. Detailed examination of rainfall–runoff relationships in summer 2007 demonstrates the dependency of performance on antecedent moisture conditions. Structural appraisal of a range of flat roof types suggests that retrofitting a green roof will be a feasible option in many cases, particularly for concrete slab roofs.

The impacts of ‘run-of-river’ hydropower on the physical and ecological condition of rivers

Abstract: This paper synthesises published literature on run-of-river hydropower, highlighting its potential to affect both the physical and ecological conditions of river systems. The paper considers the limited number of direct studies and reviews a wider literature on the two principal impacts of such schemes on river systems: the introduction or maintenance of in-channel barriers and water abstraction/flow regime alteration. We outline how river systems are likely to be impacted by such schemes and identify the key issues arising from their continued development. Potential mitigation approaches are highlighted and the areas of future research required to adequately address current knowledge gaps are identified.

Cyanobacterial (Blue‐Green Algal) Toxins and their Significance in UK and European Waters

Abstract: The cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) which commonly produce mass developments in fresh and saline waters are capable of producing toxins. These compounds have been responsible for the deaths of animals, birds and fish in many countries, and have been linked with several forms of human illness through skin contact and ingestion. Evidence has accumulated over the past decade that cyanobacterial toxins occur commonly in European waters which contain cyanobacterial mass growths. This paper summarizes the recent published occurrence and types of cyanobacterial toxins found in European waters with reference to poisoning incidents. Cyanobacterial blooms were particularly abundant in the warm dry summer of 1989 in the UK. The deaths of sheep and dogs and the cases of human illness that were ascribed to cyanobacterial toxins were followed by a more intensive and wider investigation into the extent of cyanobacterial toxicity in UK waters than had hitherto been undertaken. Of the cyanobacterial blooms sampled from over 90 freshwaters, approximately two-thirds were toxic (lethal) according to mouse bioassay. Short-term and long-term needs for the recognition, quantification and management of problems which can be caused by potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria in water-bodies used for recreation, aquaculture and potable supply are briefly discussed.

Multiple human pressures and their spatial patterns in European running waters

Abstract: Running water ecosystems of Europe are affected by various human pressures. However, little is known about the prevalence, spatial patterns, interactions with natural environment and co-occurrence of pressures. This study represents the first high-resolution data analysis of human pressures at the European scale, where important pressure criteria for 9330 sampling sites in 14 European countries were analysed. We identified 15 criteria describing major anthropogenic degradation and combined these into a global pressure index by taking additive effects of multiple pressures into account. Rivers are affected by alterations of water quality (59%), hydrology (41%) and morphology (38%). Connectivity is disrupted at the catchment level in 85% and 35% at the river segment level. Approximately 31% of all sites are affected by one, 29% by two, 28% by three and 12% by four pressure groups; only 21% are unaffected. In total, 47% of the sites are multi-impacted. Approximately 90% of lowland rivers are impacted by a combination of all four pressure groups.