Environmental Science & Technology Table 2. Characterization of Measures Related to Water Infrastructure and Water Resources Management measure river channelization dam construction construction of sewers and wastewater treatment plants increased transport and artiﬁcial waterwaysa goal ﬂood protection land reclamation hydropower sanitation transportation of goods unintended consequences loss of habitat loss of biodiversity loss of native species loss of habitat loss of biodiversity loss of native species waste of resources (energy and nutrients) colonization by invasive species river restoration improvement of ecological status conﬂicts with groundwater protection a italics indicate that the goal and measures were not primarily related to water resources management. FEATURE unanticipated demands conservation of biodiversity conservation of native species conservation of biodiversity conservation of native species refractory constituents of wastewater (e.g., micropollutants) conservation of biodiversity conservation of native species climate change Figure 1. (left) Blooms of ﬁlamentous green algae in Lake Z€urich ca. 1955 (Source: http://www.limnology.ch/station/history.php). Used by permission of the University of Z€urich. (right) Annual average concentrations of total phosphorus based on volume-weighted depth proﬁles. Source: http://www.awel.zh.ch/internet/baudirektion/awel/de/wasserwirtschaft/gewaesserqualitaet/seen_kenngroessen.html. Used by permission of the Oﬃce of Water, Energy and Air of Canton Z€urich. dynamically linked spatial networks that do not necessarily correspond to administrative boundaries and that surpass our current understanding and predictive capabilities. Changing societal expectations require that decisions previously addressed in a sectoral manner (e.g., location, design, and management of hydropower operations) must now incorporate broader objec- tives such as ecological impact and societal acceptance. The integrated management of water resources at the catch- ment scale is also being actively promoted by Swiss Federal Oﬃce for the Environment (FOEN) as the preferred approach for managing water resources and supply, the protection of surface water and groundwater, and water infrastructure.6 In addition, the Swiss traditions of direct democracy and local control provide a strong basis for stakeholder participation, which is important for the acceptance and implementation of cross-sectoral measures. ’ CURRENT AND EMERGING CHALLENGES Here we examine three topics that are rapidly developing within the Swiss (and European) framework and would be likely to beneﬁt from an integrated and adaptive approach. The issue of hydropower expansion and river restoration addresses diﬃcult conﬂicts between direct beneﬁts to society and ecological pro- tection. The issue of micropollutants illustrates the potential for engagement of diﬀerent sectors in protecting the quality of surface water and groundwater. And the issue of biodiversity and the impact of invasive species illustrate the need for societal measures in the absence of eﬀective technical controls. The diversity of these topics reﬂects the variety of pressures that human activities exert (often simultaneously) on the water en- vironment. Hydropower Expansion and River Restoration The pressure for climate change mitigation through expansion of renewable energy with low carbon intensity and the political decision to phase out nuclear power are driving an increasing interest in hydropower generation. Renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and solar power, often require equalization to offset periods of decreased production or to supplement production to meet peak demands. Alpine hydropower operations offer an opportunity to meet these needs, but careful design is needed to minimize environmental harm. New projects can be evaluated based on the adequate management of issues such as minimal flow and hydropeaking.7 Prior experience in Switzerland has demonstrated that stakeholder dialogue can be a mechanism to incorporate ecological concerns; 114 dx.doi.org/10.1021/es202189s |Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012, 46, 112–118