Adaptation to Climate Change and Public Works Planning Indiana ACEC

1. Adaptation to Climate Change and Public Works Planning Indiana ACEC Environmental Business Conference Indianapolis, IN September 17, 2008 Amrou Atassi, P.E.

2. Outline of Presentation Background on climate change What is the impact of climate change? What can we do about climate change? Adaptation to climate change Closing thoughts

3. Who is Paying Attention to Global Warming Today? • Greatest threat to civilization is not on everyone’s mind

4. Current Economic Funk Obscures Future Climate Godzilla • State and local tax crunches • Insurance crisis • Housing bust – Condo meltdown • >$4/gallon Gasoline • Credit crisis • Rising food costs • Water shortage crisis • School funding crisis • Loss of population

5. Is Climate Change Inevitable? • No, but… • To stabilize CO2 levels need to reduce emissions at least by 80% by 2050 • Executive Orders by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlie Crist • Lester Brown, 80% by 2020 • Is it likely the United States and the nations of the world will cooperate? • 450 - 500 ppm CO2 is the tipping point • CO2 increasing at more than 2 ppm/year

6. Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist? Department of Energy Projects 30% Increase in US Oil Demand $1.6 Billion/Day Flows to Other Countries Daily US Production of CO2 from Oil = 9 million metric tons Source: American Petroleum Institute

7. Climate Change is a Global Phenomenon That Will Seriously Impact the World • Flooding • Declining water supply • Saltwater intrusion • Droughts • Hurricanes • Ecosystem changes

8. Climate Change -Two Types of Engineering Challenges:1) Adaptation • Resource Conservation • Sea Level Rise • Hurricane / Storm Surges • 100-Year Flood Return and Magnitude • Drought Severity • Shore Erosion • Flood Zones • Stormwater Runoff Capacity

9. Climate Change -Two Types of Engineering Challenges:2) Mitigation Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases: • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – fuel combustion • Methane (CH4) – landfills, digesters, agriculture • Nitrous Oxide (N2O) • HFC, PFC, SF6

10. Urban Infrastructure Impacts of Climate Change • Relocation/demolition of buildings • Stormwater structures/facilities • Floating pipes and tanks that are not full • Septic tanks performing poorly • Seawater intrusion into sewer systems • Impact on geotechnical stability of coastal structures • Reconstruction of beaches

11. Major Business Sectors Potentially Benefiting from Climate Change • Power Production • Engineering & Architecture • Water Supply Development • Stormwater Management • Transportation • Healthcare

12. What Can We Do About Climate Change?

13. Stormwater management adaptation Rising flood elevations Levee and control structure adjustment/reinforcement Water supply adaptation Water conservation Relocating wellfields Maximizing reclaimed water Climate Change Will Require Reinvention…and the Efforts of a Multitude of Water Resources and Environmental Professionals …Congratulations!

14. Water Management and Water Supply Will Require Sustainable Designs with Distributed Sources of Energy • Energy conservation-more efficient pumps, energy recovery • Incorporation of alternative energies • Solar, wind • Digester gas • Landfill gas • Waste to Energy • LEED Buildings • Net metering

15. Opportunities for PV Solar Energy Development ……

16. Wind Resources…….

17. What Else Can We do?

18. Wastewater Plant Design – Everybody Has a Role in Sustainable Design Architectural Civil & Site Design Structural Process HVAC Plumbing Odor Control Electrical I&C Project Management Bidding Practices

19. Applying It All – Start With The Customer MINIMIZE WATER USE! Supply metering + meter calibration + conservation + xeriscaping campaigns = Less flow to storm drains & WWTP =Less Pumping, Less Chemical, Less Capacity to Build For

20. Applying It All – In the Collection System MINIMIZE EXCESS WATER! Illicit Connection Removal + I/I Reduction = Less flow to WWTP =Less Pumping, Less Chemical, Less Capacity to Build For

21. Applying It All – At the Pumping Stations • MINIMIZE CONSTRUCTION! • Radio Telemetry = Less Conduit, Wire, Installation Labor, and Telephone Fees for Communications between remote sites and WWTP • Properly size wet well and make use of upstream in-pipe storage = Less concrete and less excavation

22. Applying It All – In the Headworks • MINIMIZE HVAC and Power Use! • Explosion Proof Gear + Fewer Air Changes = Less Energy • Vortex Grit Separation versus Energy-Intensive Aerated Grit System?

23. Applying It All – At An Intermediate Pumping Station SWEAT THE DETAILS! Time spent optimizing pipe sizing, selecting valving, including VFDs as appropriate, and streamlining pipeline route = Minimized Pumping Head = Minimized Power

24. Design Features Promoting Sustainability • Process Selections Optimizing people, capital, power, chemicals, and residuals production • Minimizing footprint • Site Design –Rainwater collection for site irrigation, xeriscaping, narrow roadways, use of on-site construction materials

25. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Site Clearing & Grubbing – Community plant, shrub, sod, and tree salvage, “Free clean fill giveaways”. Get the elementary school kids out there as a class for the salvage! • Site Stormwater – Swales, ponds, pervious pavement

26. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Demolition – Salvage where possible, recycle, re-use. • Buildings – LEED (though not completely applicable if it’s not an occupied and air conditioned facility), solar panels, geothermal heating & cooling system (e.g. Vancouver, BC) (!)

27. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Roofs – Green Roofs, Skylights for natural light • Electrical – VFDs, motion sensitive lights, conductors with minimized line losses • Public Information Program – Include tips for water conservation, education about what can and cannot go down the sewer, etc. while promoting project!

28. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Site Lighting – Minimize it! (“International Dark Sky Association”, lessen impact to nearby wildlife, residents, roadways, etc.) • I&C - Automation • Can reduce labor • Enhance process, reduce power and chemical consumption • Lessen vehicle travel to & from remote sites • Wireless = Less fiber, conduit, and duct bank?

29. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Standby Generator Specs – Focus on noise and air emissions (we do this as a matter of practice already!) • Green Specs – Green materials, local materials, prohibit prolonged construction equipment & vehicle idling, etc. • Project Management – Telephone conferences to minimize travel (and CO2 emissions), staff use of hybrid vehicles ($), electronic progress printings, e-rooms, etc.

30. Ideas for Sustainable Design (cont.) • Architectural – Insulated windows, doors, roofs, walls; recycled materials, etc. • Public Access – Recreational trails, interpretive areas, etc. Use common sense post-9/11 at water treatment plants, however. • Constructed Wetlands – Regulators may mandate, environmental concerns love ‘em.

31. Ideas for Sustainable Design (the end) • Plumbing – Low flow toilets and plumbing fixtures. • Odor Control – Tight digester covers, etc. • Plant Amenities – Education center, awareness raising, lead by example with green design and sustainable practices (recycling, etc.) • Construction – Bidding documents on CD; limited paper copies

32. Climate Change Awareness in Drinking Water Community • Water community interest in climate change generated from grass roots • Little federal government influence to date • High interest, growing concern from utilities • AwwaRF research driven by utilities wanting answers • How will climate change impact us? • How can we plan for reliable water quality and supplies in the face of climate uncertainties? • How can we minimize our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions? • How can we effectively communicate with our customers and stakeholders about these issues?

33. AwwaRF’s Climate Change Research Program • Responding to need to maintain adequate drinking water supplies in face of climate change • Major AwwaRF initiative • Co-funding of climate change projects proposed by utilities • Key partnerships with several coalitions

34. Climate Change Partnerships-Coalitions • National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) • UKWIR – UK Water Industry Research • CUWA – California Urban Water Utilities • Committee of 8 • West Coast Group • CRC – Australian Water Research • NCAR-Utility Coalition

35. Climate Change and Water Resources: A Primer for Municipal Water ProvidersAwwaRF publication 91120, 2006 • Partnership with NCAR • Defines current state of climate change research • Assesses water supply vulnerabilities • Provides case studies of water utilities planning for climate change • Summarizes lessons learned from extreme events such as wildfires, droughts, floods • Develops range of adaptation strategies

36. AWWARF Research • Drinking water utilities are keenly aware of climate change issues and are seeking answers • AwwaRF climate change research has laid the foundation but much work remains to be done • AwwaRF has a track record of successful partnering with utility coalitions, global research institutes, and federal and state agencies on climate change research

37. Closing Thoughts • Climate change requires a mentality change to deal with the issue • Climate change can be mitigated with sustainability practices • We can adapt to climate change in the planning, design and operation of systems, facilities and infrastructure

38. Questions?