This report, released by NACWA and AMWA, is an early cost assessment of adaptations to address some of the likely impacts of climate change on our nation's drinking water and wastewater utilities through 2050.
The purpose of this interagency report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is to explore strategies to improve water management by tracking, anticipating, and responding to climate change. The terms of reference for the report are to consider the responses and adaptations of a responsible Federal body in the monitoring, management, and future design of the Nation’s water resources.
The National Resources Defense Council released a paper that identifies water supply response measures improve water quality and supplies, protect aquatic ecosystems, and improve flood management in order to help reduce future impacts related to climate change. Adaptation is not a solution to climate change, but given the importance of our water resources, immediate action is needed to avert significant societal impacts
As part of the Preparing California for a Changing Climate project, the Public Policy Institute of California released Adapting California’s Water Management to Climate Change. Among the potential impacts of climate change, accelerated sea level rise and a reduced Sierra snowpack are the most certain. Both will pose significant challenges for water supply and flood management. Water utilities have already begun to plan for these changes, but flood control agencies are lagging behind and face greater regulatory constraints.
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