Urban runoff water pollution focus of Nov. 5 training in San Antonio – AgriLife Today

Report on Urban Pollution Reduction and Sustainable Development Training

Event Overview and Objectives

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has scheduled a training event for November 5 in San Antonio. The session will focus on the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate pollution in urban and urbanizing landscapes. The primary objective is to educate participants on urban best management practices (BMPs) designed to decrease the volume and pollutant load of stormwater runoff, thereby protecting vital water resources such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This training initiative directly supports the advancement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing critical environmental challenges in urban settings.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The core focus of the course is on improving water quality by managing nonpoint source pollution from urban runoff, a critical step toward ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By promoting green infrastructure and low-impact development, the training provides actionable strategies to make cities more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The nature-based solutions discussed are integral to building resilience against climate extremes and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change on watershed and human health.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Techniques such as the implementation of riparian buffers contribute directly to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems impacted by urban development.

Course Content and Methodology

The curriculum will provide a comprehensive overview of management measures integral to watershed planning, with a significant emphasis on nature-based solutions that mimic natural processes. The training format includes a classroom session in the morning, followed by an outdoor tour to observe on-site applications of urban BMPs.

Key Nature-Based Solutions Covered:

1. Riparian Buffers
2. Vegetated Swales
3. Bioretention Systems
4. Stormwater Cisterns
5. Permeable Pavement

Administrative and Funding Details

• Date and Time: November 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: San Antonio River Authority, 100 E. Guenther St.
• Registration Deadline: October 28
• Fee: $50, inclusive of course materials, snacks, and lunch.
• Registration Portal: tx.ag/urbanBMPs25

This course is an integral part of the Texas Watershed Planning Program, which is managed by TWRI. Funding is provided through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant, administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Detailed Explanation

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article’s primary focus is on improving water quality in urban areas. It directly addresses the problem of water pollution caused by stormwater runoff and discusses solutions to protect water bodies like “rivers, lakes and aquifers.” The training program itself, funded under the Clean Water Act, is a direct effort to manage water resources sustainably.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The issues and solutions are explicitly set in an urban context (“cities and urbanizing areas,” “San Antonio”). The article promotes “green infrastructure for stormwater and low-impact development,” which are key strategies for creating more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly cities by managing the negative impacts of urbanization on the water cycle.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article advocates for “nature-based solutions” that “mimic natural processes” to protect “watershed and human health.” By implementing practices like “riparian buffers” and “vegetated swales,” the initiative aims to protect and restore local freshwater ecosystems, which are integral to life on land.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Detailed Explanation

• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution. The article’s central theme is the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to “reduce the volume and pollutant load carried by stormwater runoff,” which directly aligns with this target of reducing water pollution from urban sources.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. The training course focuses on mitigating a significant adverse environmental impact of cities—water pollution from stormwater. The use of green infrastructure and low-impact development are methods to achieve this reduction.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The article promotes nature-based solutions like “riparian buffers” which are essential for protecting and restoring the health of inland freshwater ecosystems (watersheds, rivers) from the impacts of urban runoff.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Detailed Explanation

• Implied Indicator for Target 6.3: The article’s goal is to “reduce the volume and pollutant load.” This implies a measurable indicator: the concentration of pollutants in stormwater runoff and receiving water bodies. Progress would be measured by a decrease in these pollutant levels after the implementation of the discussed practices.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.6: The article discusses specific solutions like “green infrastructure,” “permeable pavement,” and “bioretention.” This implies an indicator related to the adoption of these practices, such as the total area of a city incorporating green infrastructure or the percentage of impervious surfaces converted to permeable ones.
• Implied Indicator for Target 15.1: The promotion of “riparian buffers” and “vegetated swales” as solutions implies an indicator focused on habitat restoration. Progress could be measured by the area of restored or newly created riparian buffers and vegetated swales within the urban watershed.

Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: agrilifetoday.tamu.edu