Drinking Water Utility-Level Understanding of Climate Change Effects to System Reliability

Drinking Water Utility-Level Understanding of Climate Change Effects to System ReliabilityAbstractClimate change hazards, including increased temperatures, drought, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, wildfires, and changes in freezethaw cycles, are expected to degrade drinking water utility system infrastructure and decrease the reliability of water provision. To assess how drinking water utility manager perceptions of these risks affect utility planning, 60 semistructured interviews were conducted with utilities of various sizes, source water supplies, and United States geographical regions. This study analyzes these interviews (1) to evaluate which climate hazards are of primary concern to drinking water managers, (2) to develop a mental model framework for assessing utility-level understanding of climate change risks to system reliability, and (3) to examine the status of current water utility adaptation planning. The results show that concern and awareness of climate hazard risks vary geographically and are grounded in historical exposure; some participants do not believe climate change will influence their system's overall reliability. When considering climate change risks, utility managers tend to focus on effects to water supply and infrastructure, as opposed to changes in operations and maintenance, water quality, or business functions. Most surveyed utilities do not have comprehensive climate adaptation plans despite federal and professional recommendations. The range of beliefs and actions concerning climate adaptation planning indicates that utilities need directed guidance, and policymakers should consider including climate hazards and projections as part of required utility risk and resilience assessments.This paper was presented at the WEF/AWWA Utility Management Conference, February 13-16, 2024.SpeakerLyle, ZiaPresentation time11:30:0012:00:00Session time10:30:0012:00:00SessionUtility Resilience and ReliabilitySession number17Session locationOregon Convention Center, Portland, OregonTopicRisk Management / Resilience / Emergency Preparedness / Safety SourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Feb 2024DOI10.2175/193864718825159250Volume / Issue Content sourceUtility Management ConferenceWord count12