Climate Ready Water Utilities: Helping the Water Sector Adapt to a Changing Hydrologic Cycle

摘要

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU)rninitiative assists drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities in adapting to climaternchange by providing a clear understanding of climate science and adaptation options. ThernCRWU initiative has several tools and resources which advance climate adaptation planning andrnactively engage the water sector, including a risk assessment tool and community workshops.rnWater utilities face many challenges due to variable climate conditions and resulting impacts onrnthe hydrologic cycle, such as infrastructure damage due to flooding and sea level rise, waterrnquality degradation, drought, and combined sewer overflows due to intense precipitation events.rnEach challenge can compromise operations and threatens the ability of utilities to fulfill theirrnmission of providing clean water to communities. The CRWU resources enable utilities andrnstakeholders to begin the process of planning and implementing adaptation options to addressrnthese climate change impacts, and build more resilient water systems.