Extreme climate change is a growing challenge

It is not only drought that puts pressure on water management. Too much water can also become a problem, especially when it is dirty, uncontrolled, and destructive.

In recent decades, climate change has become a tangible reality affecting the daily lives of millions. Among the most visible and devastating impacts are not only increased drought and progressive desertification but also the rising frequency and intensity of floods. Events that have been hitting both Europe and the United States hard.

Global warming, driven by increased greenhouse gases, causes the atmosphere to hold more moisture, which in turn raises the likelihood of intense and prolonged rainfall (IPCC, 2021). This effect heightens the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas or places with inadequate infrastructure.

Europe: A Continent at Risk

In recent years, Europe has experienced a sharp increase in extreme flood events. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), nearly 30% of Europe’s river network exceeded high flood thresholds in 2024, with 12% of rivers reaching severe flood levels - impacting over 410,000 people. The European climate monitoring service Copernicus confirmed that 2024 saw the most widespread flooding across Europe in the past decade. These figures highlight how climate change is significantly altering the hydrological cycle, increasing vulnerability to extreme events.

This phenomenon also carries a heavy economic toll: between 2000 and 2023, the average annual cost of floods in Europe was estimated at around 5.5 billion euros. However, projections warn that without effective adaptation measures, this figure could surpass 50 billion euros annually by 2100 (European Commission report, 2024). 

USA: From Est Coast to the Midwest

The same trend is rising in the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the average annual number of extreme weather events costing over 1 billion dollars has increased from about 9 in 1980 to 23 in 2024 (NOAA, 2024). In 2023 alone, floods caused estimated damages of around 40 billion dollars, according to preliminary NOAA data.

Rising sea levels have intensified coastal flooding, which has increased between 300 percent and 900 percent over the past 50 years and is expected to become ten times more frequent over the next 30 years (NOAA, 2024). Additionally, heavy rainfall events responsible for flash floods and river flooding have risen significantly. According to the NOAA report, nine of the ten years with the highest levels of extreme rainfall have occurred since 1995.

When Too Much Water Becomes a Problem

Though it may seem paradoxical in an era also marked by recurring droughts, excess water presents a huge challenge for water resource management. Floodwaters are often dirty, loaded with sediments, sewage, and pollutants, making them difficult to recover or reuse. Intense flooding can overwhelm combined sewer systems, which mix untreated wastewater with surface water, leading to serious contamination of rivers and lakes. These conditions hinder drinking water treatment and increase the risk of waterborne diseases.

Tecnology Supporting Crisis Water Management

To tackle these problems, innovative infrastructure solutions are being implemented. One example in the United States is the Anacostia River Tunnel Project in Washington DC, developed by the Webuild Group. This underground system reduces sewage overflow during heavy rains, improving river water quality, and reducing pollution. Another example is the Riachuelo project in Argentina, carried out by the Webuild Group and Fisia Italimpianti. This is an innovative river cleanup and treatment system capable of treating not only municipal wastewater but also stormwater, removing major pollutants and residues from the Riachuelo, one of the most polluted waterways in Latin America, before reintroducing the water into the Río de la Plata..

Conclusions

Flooding is increasing and has a devastating impact on people, land, and economies. The data is clear: economic damage grows every year, along with pressure on infrastructure and environmental systems. In the face of this scenario, a global change of course is needed to contain the rise in global warming and the resulting increase in extreme weather events. At the same time, targeted investments, concrete projects, and an integrated vision combining climate adaptation, water management, and environmental protection are essential. Projects like the Anacostia River Tunnel and the Riachuelo offer examples of how to move from reaction to action, safeguarding lives, resources, and territories.