Ponds and surface retention

Baseline strategy · No score

Manages rainwater through retention basins or floodable spaces that attenuate peak flows and can provide habitat.

Subject: WaterContext: Urban planning · Landscaping · InfrastructureCost: highEffort: highLevel: recommendedStage: designMaturity: context-dependent
Principle of Estanques y retención superficial
Operating principle

How it works

Manages rainwater through retention basins or floodable spaces that attenuate peak flows and can provide habitat.

It applies the hierarchy of understanding, avoiding, reducing, reusing and treating, always maintaining the right quality for each use and health protection.

When does it make sense?

  • With a water balance and significant uses
  • When regulation and health risk allow the solution
  • With clear inspection, treatment and maintenance officers

How to apply it

  1. 1

    Defining what need resolves "stamps and surface retention" and establishing a starting situation.

  2. 2

    Compare alternatives and adapt design to climate, use, regulation, affected people and available resources.

  3. 3

    Apply with clear responsibilities, check the actual result and correct unwanted effects.

Potential benefits

Reduced demand for drinking water

Less spills and runoff

Increased water resilience

Limitations and precautions

  • The result depends on context, design, execution and how it is used and maintained.
  • Saving water never justifies compromising hygiene or quality.
  • Alternative systems need signage, secure networks, maintenance and risk control.

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