In just the first seven months of 2021, New Orleans is projected to surpass its annual rainfall average of 63 inches of rain a year. Constant rain means that streets are regularly flooded, outdoor construction jobs are interrupted, lawn work is stalled, activities are cancelled, and many more implications. Increased rainfall and flooding is a result of climate change. To address information about stormwater in New Orleans, we decided to highlight the amazing work of the Water Collaborative here in New Orleans. The Water Collaborative is one of the members of Love Your City’s Regional Sustainability Committee and has previously collaborated with LifeCity in a webinar about the intersectionality of climate and its impacts on Black communities in New Orleans.
The mission of the Water Collaborative is to create equitable water practices in New Orleans and build a network of people impacted by flood risk. The coalition began organizing following the publication of the Urban Water Plan in October of 2013, a project funded by the state of Louisiana that involved coordination by the local architectural and planning firm Waggoner & Ball and the Steering Committee. After this was released, many people and organizations began meeting on how urban water management should look like in New Orleans. These meetings, which lasted for months after, led to the launch of the Water Collaborative. Their ultimate vision is to make New Orleans a leader in climate change resiliency based on better water management. The Water Collaborative carries out educational events for New Orleans and Gulf Coast residents about flood solutions, resources, workforce development, and more. They also work with city, state and federal workers to ensure an understanding of water management and create policy measures to better support the urban water sector. In addition to this, they seek equitable policies to make sure that the needs of vulnerable and impacted communities are supported and compensated.
The Water Collaborative has had a high degree of success since its founding. Members have developed and adopted an amendment to the City of New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to eliminate possible exceptions to stormwater management requirements and successfully called for the removal of an order that discouraged elevated homes. Members have also conducted drainage surveys and analysis for the New Orleans Sewage and Water Board and have carried out countless presentations throughout New Orleans on water management issues.
If you would like to learn more about the Water Collaborative, donate, or get involved with the coalition, please visit their website.
Sources:
https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_4a07adfa-e97f-11eb-ac34-6f67ec6302a6.html