Estonia faces substantial climate challenges. These include increased precipitation, more frequent heavy rainfalls and flash flooding – all of which strain existing stormwater and wastewater systems.
The LIFE UrbanStorm project aimed to enhance flood management and strengthen Estonian urban areas against climate change. It applied sustainable urban drainage systems combined with a digitised storm water management system to collect and reuse rainwater in Viimsi and Tallinn. Local authorities were also trained and guided on how to design, implement and finance climate-resistant water management projects.
As a result, rainwater emergencies decreased significantly, from 21 to 13 incidents annually in Viimsi and from seven to an impressive zero in Tallinn. Nine Estonian municipalities developed climate change strategies and action plans.
