Bracing for the Downpour: The Urgency of Wastewater Resilience
As the climate crisis rages on, coastal cities across the globe are facing an ever-increasing threat from extreme weather events. And China, with its rapidly growing urban centers, is no exception. From the bustling megacity of Shanghai to the thriving port of Guangzhou, these urban hubs are on the frontlines of a battle against the devastating impacts of flooding, sea-level rise, and water scarcity.
But while these cities have garnered attention for their efforts to become “sponge cities” – implementing green infrastructure like permeable pavements and rooftop gardens to manage stormwater – there’s a critical, yet often overlooked, element of urban resilience that deserves our focus: the humble, yet essential, wastewater infrastructure.
You see, these unseen, underground networks of pipes and treatment plants are the unsung heroes that keep our cities running, even in the face of the most extreme weather. Without them, public health is endangered, industrial processes grind to a halt, and citizens are left high and dry, quite literally.
That’s why I believe it’s time for China’s coastal megacities to follow the lead of cities like New York and prioritize the resilience of their wastewater systems. Because when the next big storm hits, the ability of these cities to weather the onslaught could very well depend on the strength and adaptability of their wastewater infrastructure.
New York’s Wastewater Weatherproofing Playbook
After the devastating blow of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, New York City took a long, hard look at its aging wastewater infrastructure and realized it was ill-equipped to handle the growing threats of climate change. But instead of throwing in the towel, the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rolled up its sleeves and got to work.
The result? A comprehensive, $415 million wastewater resilience plan that’s helping to fortify the city’s 14 treatment plants and 60% of its pumping stations against the ravages of flooding and power outages. This includes strategies like elevating critical equipment, installing backup generators, and even sealing off vulnerable areas of the plants with temporary barriers.
But New York didn’t stop there. The city also recognized that reducing the strain on its sewer system during heavy rainfall events was crucial to maintaining resilience. So, they’ve been tackling the issue of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) – a problem that plagues many older cities with combined stormwater and sewage systems.
By investing in underground CSO retention facilities and implementing green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable pavements, New York is significantly reducing the amount of polluted runoff that floods into its waterways. And to further engage its citizens, the city even launched a clever SMS program called “Wait” that encourages New Yorkers to delay water-intensive activities during heavy rain events.
Lessons from the East: China’s Wastewater Reckoning
As I look at the challenges facing China’s coastal cities, I can’t help but see the parallels with New York’s own resilience journey. These urban hubs, home to hundreds of millions, are grappling with the very same threats of flooding, sea-level rise, and combined sewer overflows.
Take Shanghai, for example. This bustling megacity, often touted as one of the world’s most flood-vulnerable cities, has made headlines for its ambitious “sponge city” initiative. But as Danielle Neighbour and Gillian Zwicker pointed out in their article for China US Focus, Shanghai’s officials have been hesitant to invest in the less glamorous – yet equally critical – area of wastewater infrastructure.
“Shanghai isn’t alone,” they write. “As rapidly expanding coastal Chinese cities grapple with flooding, extreme water pollution, and scarcity, the country should prioritize an unseen – yet critical – element of urban resilience planning: wastewater management systems.”
And the stakes couldn’t be higher. According to the authors, if global warming exceeds the Paris Agreement’s target of 2°C, a staggering 145 million Chinese citizens – nearly 10% of the country’s population – will find themselves living in high-risk flood areas. That’s a sobering statistic that underscores the urgent need for comprehensive resilience planning.
Weatherproofing China’s Wastewater: A Call to Action
So, what can China’s coastal cities do to fortify their wastewater infrastructure and weather the storms to come? Drawing inspiration from New York’s playbook, I believe there are a few key steps they should consider:
1. Hardening Wastewater Treatment Plants
Just like New York, Chinese cities need to invest in a “hardening” campaign for their wastewater treatment facilities. This means elevating critical equipment, installing backup power sources, and taking measures to seal off vulnerable areas from floodwaters.
2. Tackling Combined Sewer Overflows
The scourge of CSOs isn’t just a problem for older American cities – it’s a major issue in many of China’s most populous urban centers, including Shanghai and Guangzhou. By constructing CSO retention facilities and implementing green infrastructure solutions, cities can significantly reduce the amount of untreated sewage and stormwater that pollutes their waterways.
3. Engaging the Public
New York’s “Wait” program, which encourages citizens to delay water-intensive activities during heavy rainfall, is a brilliant example of how cities can engage the public in wastewater resilience efforts. Chinese cities should consider adopting similar public outreach initiatives to help reduce the strain on their sewer systems.
4. Leveraging Resilience Frameworks
Cities like Deyang, Huangshi, Haiyan, and Yiwu in China have already joined the global “100 Resilient Cities” network, which provides guidance and resources for developing comprehensive resilience strategies. By tapping into these frameworks and best practices, Chinese coastal cities can supercharge their efforts to protect their critical wastewater infrastructure.
Weathering the Storm, Together
As the climate crisis continues to intensify, the need for robust, resilient wastewater infrastructure has never been more pressing. And while the challenges facing China’s coastal megacities may seem daunting, I firmly believe that by learning from the successes of cities like New York, these urban hubs can weather the storms to come.
After all, our wastewater systems are the unsung heroes that keep our cities running, even in the face of the most extreme weather. And by investing in their resilience, we’re not just safeguarding our water resources and public health – we’re also preparing our communities for a more uncertain future.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Because when the next big storm hits, the ability of our cities to weather the onslaught could very well depend on the strength and adaptability of their wastewater infrastructure. And I, for one, am ready to do my part to ensure that our inland waters and communities are ready to face whatever Mother Nature has in store.
