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Association of Environmental Authorities March 12, 2013 Slide 2 2 Water Sector Background Utilities: 53,000 Community Drinking Water Systems 16,000 Wastewater Systems Slide 3 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. 3 Slide 4 Climate Ready 4 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. Slide 5 Framework Document Reference guide for using Framework Key concepts and actions for each element Resources that support pursuing actions 5 Slide 6 6 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 Slide 7 Climate Ready Process Climate Ready Tools & Resources 7 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 Toolbox Adaptation Strategies Guide Adaptive Response Framework Slide 8 Climate Change and the Water Sector 8 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 Slide 9 9 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 combined with 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. Slide 10 10 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. Slide 11 11 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. Slide 12 12 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. Slide 13 Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool (CREAT) Overview 13 Slide 14 What can you do in CREAT? 14 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 Slide 15 Process 15 Slide 16 16 Climate Information Slide 17 17 Slide 18 Training Integrated training Pre-loaded scenarios Extreme precipitation Energy implications 18 Slide 19 Adaptation Strategies Guide 19 Promoting a Clear Understanding of Adaptation Options Slide 20 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 20 Slide 21 Updates 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 21 Slide 22 Extreme Weather Events Workshop Planner 22 Developing long term plans to increase resiliency Slide 23 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 Slide 24 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 Slide 25 Toolbox 25 Resources for Planning a Response to Climate Change Slide 26 Toolbox 26 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 Slide 27 Toolbox 27 Features: Browse by Tabs Region Map Highlighted Resources Link Direct to Web Page Option to Show Searchable Database/Res ources List Slide 28 Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Pilots Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Pilots 28 Promoting Coordination and Understanding of Climate Impacts and Adaptation Options Between Utilities and the National Estuary Program Slide 29 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 29 Slide 30 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 30 Additional topics and dates under consideration Visit http://www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities for updates Slide 31 Want more information? CRWU website: www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities CRWU contact: crwuhelp@epa.gov Sign up for e-newsletters: EPA Climate Change and Water News: Send a blank email to water_and_climate_change_listserve-subscribe@lists.epa.gov water_and_climate_change_listserve-subscribe@lists.epa.gov EPA climate change activities: http://epa.gov/climatechange 31 Slide 32 John Whitler Whitler.John@epa.gov Curt Baranowski Baranowski.Curt@epa.gov Amy Posner Posner.Amy@epa.gov Laura Dubin: Dubin.laura@epa.gov 32 Contact Information