#SWEM Climate adaptation through smart water use

As part of the Sustainable Weather Emergency Management (SWEM) project, within the Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021-2027 programme, we are researching modern approaches to how cities in different countries manage winter resources. 

One of the most interesting practices is the reuse of melted snow. Today, in many cities in Europe and North America, snow is no longer considered waste. It is transported to special reservoirs or underground storage facilities, where it gradually melts.

The melted water is purified of sand and impurities and then used for municipal purposes. In some cities, meltwater is used to wash streets or water green areas, while in others it is returned to local reservoirs after additional filtration. The most important thing about this process is that cities save significant amounts of drinking water and reduce the load on water supply networks. This is particularly relevant during the summer heat or in regions where access to water resources is limited. The practice of reusing meltwater not only saves resources but also helps cities reduce their environmental impact and gradually adapt to new climatic conditions.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021-2027 Program.