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



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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



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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



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


• 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


• 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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http://www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities

mailto:[email protected]


John [email protected]

Curt [email protected]

Amy [email protected]

Laura Dubin:

[email protected]

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Contact Information





association of environmental authorities march 12, 2013

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