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Adapting to Climate Change The Water Sector

Adapting to Climate Change The Water Sector. Robert Morgan, Ph.D., P.E. Beaver Water District. Water Sector. Cost for Adapting to Climate Change through 2050. Drinking Water: $325 - $692 Billion Wastewater: $ 123 – $252 Billion Total Water Sector: $ 448 - $944 Billion.

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Adapting to Climate Change The Water Sector

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  1. Adapting to Climate ChangeThe Water Sector Robert Morgan, Ph.D., P.E. Beaver Water District

  2. Water Sector Cost for Adapting to Climate Change through 2050 • Drinking Water: $325 - $692 Billion • Wastewater: $ 123 – $252 Billion • Total Water Sector: $ 448 - $944 Billion National Association of Clean Water Agencies, 2009

  3. Changing Hydrologic Cycle Warmer Temperature, more Evaporation Higher Absolute Humidity Frequent Extreme Precipitation Longer Dry Spells

  4. Seasonal Pattern of Precipitation Shift toward Winter Drier Summers and Falls National Academies Press

  5. Figure ES-1: Extreme Downpours Have Become More Frequent Across Much of the United States More Frequent Extreme Events • The biggest rainstorms and snowstorms are getting bigger National Academies Press Environment America

  6. Water Availability National Academy of Sciences

  7. Frequent and Longer Droughts

  8. ImpactHigher Temperature Wastewater Water Quality Receiving Stream DO Power Costs Water • Increased Domestic Water Use • Increased Irrigation Demand • Water Quality • Source Water • Algae • Taste and Odor • Toxins • Distribution System – Disinfection Byproducts

  9. ImpactFrequent Extreme Events Wastewater Infiltration/Inflow Hydraulic Load Flooding Sewer Line Breaks Water • Water Quality • Turbidity and Sediment • Phosphorus Load • Treatability • Flooding • Service Outage • Water Line Breaks Other • Stream Erosion • Transportation • Flooding • Hydrologic Science

  10. ImpactReduced Water Availability Wastewater Lack of Dilution in Receiving Stream Higher Cost of Treatment Water • Adequacy of Source • Increased Pumping Costs • Interstate/city Conflicts • Competing Uses • Domestic/Agriculture/Industry/ Recreation/Ecosystem • Potential Mandatory Conservation

  11. ImpactLonger Drought • Reduced Water Supply • Increased Irrigation Demand • Declining Groundwater • Minimum Streamflow • Increased Domestic Water Demand • Potential Mandatory Water Conservation • Environmental Flows

  12. Adapting to Climate ChangeDrinking Water Short-Term Flood Proofing Identify Critical Infrastructure Risk Assessment Long-Term • Source Development • Source Water Protection • Additional Treatment Facilities

  13. Adapting to Climate ChangeWastewater Short-Term Identify Critical Infrastructure Risk assessment Flood proofing Illicit Discharge Detection Storm Sewer disconnects Long-Term • Flow Reduction Program • Infiltration/inflow management • Wet Weather Storage • Increased Treatment Capacity • Effluent cooling • Reuse and Recycling

  14. Adapting to Climate ChangePublic Policy • No-Regrets Planning • Total Water Management • Consider the Resource Holistically • Source, Treatment, Waste, Storm, Environmental • Conservation, Reuse and Recycle • Green Infrastructure • Utilize Ecosystem Services • Rain Gardens, Wetlands, Swales, Green Roofs, Rainwater Harvesting, Permeable Pavement • Cooperative Emergency Response (ARWARN) • Continue to Refine Research

  15. Summary More Frequent Floods but Reduced Water Availability Water Quality Issues Cost to Adapt is Significant Top-down and Bottom-up Strategies

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