Research summary. A critical review Of urban diffuse pollution control: methodologies to identify sources, pathways and mitigation measures with multiple benefits. CRW2012/1.

The main aim of this research was to inform the development of policy to support implementation of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act (2009). Surface water management in urban areas is increasingly important in policy areas concerned with flooding and pollution, in addition to these policy areas benefits can be realised in health and well-being (through green space provision or improvement), in traffic management, in operation and maintenance delivery (and cost savings) for urban areas, and in biodiversity and climate change planning. Therefore to support guidance on surface water management there is a need to: 1. Develop integrated tools that are relevant to understanding sources, pathways and mitigation of diffuse contaminants. 2. Critically assess which methods best identify sources and pathways for a given urban environment and/or readily available information. 3. Identify mitigation strategies, from source to end-of-pipe that meet the twin challenge of diffuse pollution prevention and multiple benefits in terms of cost, energy and water sustainability.