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Drought and hydro crisis: reservoirs as a sustainable solution to mitigate the phenomenon 

Home > News > Drought and hydro crisis: reservoirs as a sustainable solution to mitigate the phenomenon 
23 January 2025

Drought and hydro crisis: reservoirs as a sustainable solution to mitigate the phenomenon 

Sustainable water reservoirs mitigate drought impacts and hydrogeological risks through innovative, eco-friendly engineering solutions.

Droughts are intensifying worldwide and are now one of the most evident consequences of the ongoing climate change, having devastating effects and repercussions on agriculture, ecosystems and water supply and leading to significant environmental, economic and social damage. 

Among the most striking examples bearing witness to the gravity of the situation is that of the Horn of Africa, which has experienced five straight seasons of zero rainfall, leaving more than 23 million people in severe food insecurity, while data from the Palmer Drought Index1 show that 5% of the land in the United States has been affected by spells of severe drought, and 59 out of 62 Brazilian provinces are experiencing drought emergencies2. Even Europe is not unaffected: 2022 was marked by the worst droughts. Countries such as Italy and Spain were among the most severely affected, with economic effects soaring 63% in 2021 compared to the 20-year average. Furthermore, a UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) report shows that more than 1.8 billion people worldwide are impacted by drought, with middle and low-income countries being among the most vulnerable3. Drought influences the soil’s ability to retain water, making it waterproof. Following periods of low rainfall and heavy water transpiration, when it rains, water runs off the dry surface and does not soak into the soil. This phenomenon, among other things, increases exposure to hydrogeological risk

Given these challenges, the sustainable management of water is crucial to tackling the global water crisis and ensuring access to water for future generations. Maccaferri’s innovative portfolio for reservoirs addresses this need by offering durable, sustainable, and scalable solutions capable of optimizing water storage, mitigating hydrogeological risks, and preserving the surrounding landscape. By reducing the dependence on seasonal rainfall, the reservoirs help mitigate drought effects and keep agricultural production steady by improving water resource management. 

Thanks to the use of solutions such as reinforced soil – which reduces excavation activities by more than 50% -, gravity retaining walls, drainage trenches, drainage channels and erosion control systems, Maccaferri is cutting down on the use of agricultural land and reducing CO2 emissions compared to traditional concrete solutions, thus favouring reforestation and biodiversity. The systems developed by the company also feature great speed of installation, as they are pre-assembled and therefore cut down installation time on site, thus increasing safety for workers. Furthermore, they allow water to be captured, stored and then returned efficiently, reducing riverbank erosion. Finally, excavation materials are reused, lowering costs and diminishing the overall environmental impact

In light of the challenges related to climate change, Maccaferri is committed to developing tailor-made solutions to protect the environment and encourage responsible use of all resources, not just water, by drawing on engineering expertise and innovation-driven know-how. By investing in sustainable technologies today, a safer and more resilient tomorrow for all communities can be secured. 

1 https://www.droughtglobal.org/drought-findings

2 https://www.droughtglobal.org/drought-findings

3 https://www.droughtglobal.org/drought-findings