Blue-green infrastructure for flood management in data-limited tropical catchments: a case study from Huila, Colombia

ABSTRACT

Water efficiency and loss reduction are critical in developing countries, where non-revenue water is often high due to weak infrastructure and governance. This study evaluates the potential of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) to address these challenges in Pitalito, Colombia, a town affected by recurrent flooding and water scarcity. Using PCSWMM modelling and proxy-based validation under data-limited conditions, four BGI scenarios were tested for runoff reduction and storage capacity. Results show that BGI can reduce flood peaks by over 70% while capturing substantial volumes for reuse. The findings highlight BGI's multifunctionality, offering a replicable pathway to resilience and water security.