254 The Barcelona Region’s land mosaic
and river water. So, cleaning up the dirty water makes a huge supply of clean
wateravailable right around us, even into the future (Pratet al.2002,Forman
2004a).
Solutions in the water-scarcity package include stream corridors and riparian
vegetation that recharge groundwater, filtering water though the ground to
clean it, protecting aquifers, creating a stormwater drainage system so sewage
treatment plants can work and clean better, stormwater-created wetlands to
clean water, and more (Color Figure43)(Rieradevall and Cambra1994,Decamps
and Decamps2001,Pratet al.2002). Also, where do the wastewater pipes from
ruralhomes, villages, and towns go? With a better system for these numerous
local sites, much more clean water would be available throughout the GBRegion.
Providing more clean water for residents also benefits natural systems.
Riparian vegetation on floodplains, particularly shrub cover on upper portions
of stream systems, will provide rich habitat for wildlife and greatly enhance bio-
diversity. Rejuvenated streams and rivers, native fish, fish-eating herons, other
species, and yes, fishermen, will be widespread.
Aquifers with clean water can be well protected with extensive natural veg-
etation. Pollutants from urbanization and industry basically accumulate in the
typically slow-moving aquifer water, thus degrading the water source. To reduce
saltwater intrusion into the Llobregat delta (and elsewhere along the coast)
(Acebillo and Folch2000), the most important aquifer in the region, requires
minimizing the input of pollutants, minimizing the pumping out of water in
both the lower floodplain and the delta, and increasing the normal flow of river
water.Toomuch water: f loods
Global modelers highlight frequent intense-precipitation events and
greater flood hazard ahead in the GBRegion. But with roads, parking lots, and
buildings, urbanization adds extensive impermeable surfaces. Perhaps worse,
pipes and drainage channels often carry the rainwater right to gullies, streams,
and rivers. The inevitable result is increased pulse flooding, where water levels
rise quickly, reach higher levels causing damage, and drop quickly leaving little
wateravailable in the channel (Decamps and Decamps2001,Formanet al.2003).
On this trajectory the ‘‘hundred-year flood” may come twice a decade.
The flood-reduction package of solutions contains (Color Figure43)(Forman
2004a): (1) emerald-network protection against slope erosion and runoff;
(2) stream corridors and riparian vegetation that recharge groundwater and
aquifers; (3) a stormwater drainage system with pipes that create wetlands
(or sponges); (4) disconnecting impermeable surfaces around built areas; and
(5) small basin parks along floodplains to hold some floodwater from and for