Association of Environmental Authorities March 12, 2013
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Transcript of Association of Environmental Authorities March 12, 2013
Association of Environmental Authorities
March 12, 2013
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Water Sector Background
Utilities:
• 53,000 Community Drinking Water Systems
• 16,000 Wastewater Systems
Mission Statement
To provide the water sector (drinking water, wastewater,
and stormwater utilities) with the practical tools, training, and technical assistance needed to adapt to
climate change by promoting a clear understanding of climate science and adaptation options.
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Climate Ready
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National Drinking Water Advisory Council Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) Report
Final report provides EPA with recommendations on developing a CRWU initiative to support water sector climate resiliency.
Developing an Adaptive Response Framework
Fundamental guide to build out the concept of a climate ready water utility, integrates with other tools.
Framework Document
• Reference guide for using Framework
• Key concepts and actions for each element
• Resources that support pursuing actions
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What does CRWU Report Mean for EPA?
• EPA create and implement a CRWU program
• Integrate CRWU into existing EPA efforts (e.g., EUM, Climate Ready
Estuaries)
• Coordinate with other federal partners, states, associations, utilities
• Promote watershed planning and encourage adoption of integrated water resources management
• Recommends developing adaptive regulatory capacity
Climate Ready Process
Climate Ready Tools & Resources
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Assess Risks and
Evaluate Opportunities
Collaborate with
Partners
Research and Gather
Information
Learn Climate and
Adaptation Basics
Explore
Elements of
Climate Readiness
Climate Resilience Evaluation
and
Awareness Tool
Extreme Events
Workshop Planner
ToolboxAdaptation
Strategies Guide
Adaptive Response
Framework
Climate Change and the Water Sector
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Reduced groundwater recharge
Stormwater management challenges
Increased residential demand
Earlier spring runoff
Lower reservoir levels and water
shortages
Degraded water quality and treatment challenges
Increased frequency and extent of floods
Loss of wetlands and coastal ecosystems
Coastal flooding from storm surges
Saltwater intrusion into coastal
aquifers
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Increasing Temperature
2 F increase in global average temperature has been ̊�observed over the last 50 years. Projections indicate continued warming, which leads to changes in water quantity and quality:
– Reduced water supply when combinedwith decreased precipitation
– Changes in surface water quality– Changes in demand for water and energy
Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program (GCRP). 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. (Karl, T. R., J. M.
Melillo, and T. C. Peterson, Eds.) ISBN 978-0-521-14407-0.
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Changing Precipitation Patterns
Overall changes in climate will alter the total amount of precipitation (may be less or more, depending on local factors and season), contributing to:
• Changing lake and reservoir levels• Altered groundwater recharge• Reduced snowpack and reservoir recharge• Changes in water quality (increased turbidity)• Greater demand for water for irrigation
Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program (GCRP). 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. (Karl, T. R., J. M.
Melillo, and T. C. Peterson, Eds.) ISBN 978-0-521-14407-0.
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Rising Sea Level
Coastal utilities should be concerned about sea-level rise, which can lead to:
• Increased flooding associated with coastal storm surges• Increased saltwater intrusion into aquifers• Accelerated loss of wetlands and coastal ecosystems
Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program (GCRP). 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. (Karl, T. R., J. M.
Melillo, and T. C. Peterson, Eds.) ISBN 978-0-521-14407-0.
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Extreme Weather Events
More frequent and severe extreme weather events can produce:
• More frequent and larger extent of flood damage to infrastructure
• Increased crop loss and more frequent water shortages during drought
• Property loss and erosion following wildfires• Increased damage from coastal storm surges to low-lying
utility infrastructure
Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program (GCRP). 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. (Karl, T. R., J. M.
Melillo, and T. C. Peterson, Eds.) ISBN 978-0-521-14407-0.
Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool (CREAT)
Overview
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What can you do in CREAT?
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Build Awareness • Explore local climate data
• Access resources
• Collect data and document
assumptions
• Assess potential risks
Assess Risk
• Compare adaptation options
• Generate reports to support
decisions
Plan Adaptation
Process
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Climate Information
Climate Information
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Training
• Integrated training• Pre-loaded scenarios• Extreme precipitation• Energy implications
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Adaptation Strategies Guide
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Promoting a Clear Understanding of Adaptation Options
Overview
• Guide for drinking water and wastewater utilities that have not begun to consider climate change in utility planning
• Navigate guide like a website
• Goals:– Present easy-to-understand climate
science– Translate science into impacts to utilities– List adaptation strategies related to
impacts– Assist in the adaptation planning process
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Updates
• We are currently updating the ASG to include two new sections– Green Infrastructure– Energy Management
• These sections are under review and the new version will be available online within the next 6 months
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Extreme Weather Events Workshop Planner
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Developing long term plans to increase resiliency
Extreme Weather Events Workshop Planner
• Walks users through all of the steps of planning, conducting, and evaluating a workshop
• Goal is to determine actions that a utility or community can take today to become more resilient to more frequent and intense extreme events 23
Extreme Weather Events Workshop Planner
• Includes 5 scenarios:– Flooding– Drought– Sea Level Rise– Wildfire– Snowpack Changes
• Contains customizable materials– Scenario presentation– Facilitator guide– Workshop report template
• Adaptation is iterative, Workshop Planner encourages participants to continue to work together on extreme event and climate planning after workshop is over 24
Toolbox
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Resources for Planning a Response to Climate Change
Toolbox
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• Searchable database for utilities to obtain resources related to climate change and water
• Searches by utility attributes, climate concerns, and response strategies selected by the user
• Current version contains approximately 600 resources– Publications– Current activities– Funding opportunities– Events– Tools and models
Toolbox
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Features:
• Browse by Tabs
• Region Map
• Highlighted Resources
• Link Direct to Web Page
• Option to Show
Searchable
Database/Resources List
Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Pilots
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Promoting Coordination and Understanding of Climate Impacts and Adaptation Options Between Utilities
and the National Estuary Program
CRWU/CRE Linkages
• Pilot project with North Hudson Sewerage Authority, NY/NJ Harbor NEP, EPA Region 2– Joint risk assessment using CREAT
– Explore comprehensive adaptation strategies
– Establish relationship between WW utility and NEP
– Document methodology and lessons learned
• Pilot with Albemarle-Pamlico NEP• Pilot with Morro Bay NEP
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Webinar Series
Topic Events
Introduction to CRWU Initiative January 23, 2013
Climate Change and the Water Sector February 13, 2013
Introduction to CREAT February 27, 2013
Extreme Events Workshop Planner March 6, 2013
Adaptation Strategies Guide March 13, 2013
Workshop Planner/ Adaptation Strategies Guide
April 10, 2013
Using CREAT for Planning and Decision Support
TBD
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• Additional topics and dates under consideration
• Visit http://www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities for updates
Want more information?
CRWU website:www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities
CRWU contact:[email protected]
Sign up for e-newsletters:EPA Climate Change and Water News: Send a blank email to [email protected]
EPA climate change activities: http://epa.gov/climatechange
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