A Path to Resilient Water Resources

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "A Path to Resilient Water Resources"

Transcription

1 Water Resources Management A Path to Resilient Water Resources Jason M. Bird CH2M August 17, 2017 (8:30-9:30 am) Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida

2 About Presenter Jason Bird - Principal Technologist CH2M Florida Resiliency & Water Resources Practice Leader 17 years of civil engineering experience Water resource projects for: DoD, DoI, DoS International & Domestic, Commercial & Residential Municipalities and Utility Providers Member of SAME, FWEA, & ASAP 2

3 Session Objectives 1. Identify alternative potable water supply sources 2. Identify components of an Integrated Water Resources Plan 3. Understand climate related vulnerabilities 4. Identify key Federal Executive Orders, Directives and Policies 5. Identify ways to address water resource challenges 6. Learn how you can personally help protect limited water resources 3

4 Water Sources of Florida Managed by five water management districts 65% of supply is from groundwater FDEP 2015 FDEP 4

5 Water Sources of Florida The Floridan is one of worlds most productive aquifer systems, supplying water for over 10 million people in 5 states. Balancing supply location with population distribution FDEP, 2015 FDEP,

6 Water Demands in Florida Over 50% of demand is agriculture/irrigation including portion of domestic supply and commercial. Domestic supply is fastest growing sector. FDEP 2010 FDEP

7 Future Water Demands in Florida In next 12 years, an additional 1 billion gpd will be needed to meet projected water demands from population increase. Groundwater sources are already being strained, driving the need for alternative supplies to meet future demands. FDEP 2015 Annual Water Supply Planning Report NASA 7

8 Alternative Water Supplies of Florida Nearly 80% of FL water supply projects include reclaimed water or brackish groundwater. FDEP 2015 FDEP

9 Integrated Water Resource Management Plan A process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Global Water Partnership United Nations GWP 9

10 Integrated Water Resource Management Plan Water supply planning Future demands, source preservation, diversification, risk reduction Water quality Nutrients, bacteria, heavy metals, emerging pollutants Flood protection & floodplain mgmt. Increased impervious cover and rainfall intensity Natural systems Integrated solutions with co-benefits that promote preservation of ecology AWWA paper 2007, CH2M 10

11 Climate Hazards Climate influences many aspects of infrastructure planning, design, and operations Temperature Precipitation Sea level rise Storm surge and not all are impacted the same Coastal Regions Agriculture Ecosystems Floodplain management Energy Water quality Water Resources Infrastructure

12 Climate Change Trends in North America Information adapted from NCA (2013) and IPCC AR5 (2014)

13 Climate Trends Temperature change over last century Precipitation change over last century NOAA NOAA 13

14 Climate Projections Historic Data 2100 Forecast NOAA 14

15 Climate change impacts on water cycle 15

16 Implications for groundwater supply Increased population Decreased usable surface water Saltwater intrusion from sea level rise Reduced aquifer recharge rates Higher demand and over extraction Increases demand for groundwater sources and may contaminate groundwater Contamination of fresh groundwater sources Potential loss of fresh groundwater source 16

17 Implications for surface water supply Increased soil and contaminant load and concentration Increased water temperatures Increased population Increased evaporation rates Decreased supply of fresh water Increased biological activity Higher demand Increased evaporation, decreasing available water supply 17

18 Climate impacts on the energy sector US Dept. of Energy 18

19 Critical Infrastructure Effects Increasing air temperature affecting pumps and motors Increasing water temperature affects on chemical feed systems Increasing air temperature and humidity on chemical storage, equipment storage Infrastructure vulnerabilities to sea level, storm surges, or increasing flooding Maintenance of seasonally-operated critical systems Useful life remaining KSWO.com 19

20 Consequences of Inaction Drinking water quantity and quality Health risks Reduced agriculture Loss of wildlife and aquatic resources, wetlands Impacts to energy sector Impacts to economy 21

21 Florida Challenges Population has doubled in last 30 years and set to do so again in next 25 years, increasing by nearly 1,000 people per day. Most population centers are located along the coast, vulnerable to coastal flooding Coastal areas are experiencing saltwater intrusion, affecting local water supply Geographic disparity between supplies and demands 22

22 Managing Risks vs. Climate Politics

23 Mandates and Policy Executive Orders and Directives E.O (Preparing for Climate Change) Nov E.O (Floodplain Management) REPEALED E.O (Federal Sustainability) March 2015 Legislation Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 & 2005 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) 2007 (438) FDEP Office of Water Policy SB 552 (2016) WMDs must prepare 20-yr Regional Water Supply Plans Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act (spring MFLs)

24 Key Elements of Resilient Water Resources Leadership support and staff training Clear communication of Reliability, Risk, and Resilience Understanding of asset strengths and weaknesses including climate hazards and scenarios Resilience informed planning, policy, design guides, and level of service Resilience mainstreamed into decision making Reliability: probability that a system will perform its intended function Risk: effect of uncertainty on system (aka, likelihood and consequence) Resiliency: the ability to return to original state after event (shock)

25 Addressing water resource challenges - Planning Evaluating capabilities of existing infrastructure before building new supplies Understanding hydraulic and hydrologic constraints with climate change Vulnerability assessments for existing and planned infrastructure 26

26 Addressing water resource challenges - Planning Risk assessment framework Scenario development Qualitative & quantitative decision support assessment Test, monitor, adjust and continue 27

27 Addressing water resource challenges - Operations and Policy Operational continuity through redundancy Incorporate climate scenario planning into standards and review criteria Staff cross training for operations, maintenance, and engineering staff Engage local community and stakeholders Collaborative agreements with other utilities/ entities Build up upon regional/ national working groups and research Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority 28

28 Addressing water resource challenges - Questions to Consider What time horizons should be considered for Capital Improvement Plan or Renewal/Replacement activities? Asset service life or Beyond? (20, 30, 50, 75 years?) What is the appropriate risk tolerance? How critical is the asset to maintain system function? Are service disruptions acceptable? When is the asset scheduled for upgrades? How will future demands be met? What are environmental and social implications? TBRPC Sea Level Rise Task Force 29

29 Increasing Florida s Water Resiliency Diversify sources System redundancy and hardening Groundwater recharge Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) Conservation and waste reduction Improved efficiency and education Tiered rates and fixture rebates Expand reclaimed distribution Improve R&R and replacement programs 30

30 Case Studies Tampa Bay Water, FL Diversifying water supply sources $158 million 25 mgd saltwater desalination plant New surface water reservoirs & wells Incorporating changes in rainfall and sea level in long-term water supply planning and asset management Participating in national, regional and local collaborative coalitions to translate climate change impacts Water Utility Climate Alliance Florida Water Climate Alliance University of Florida Tampa Bay Science Advisory Panel Tampa Water RO Plant

31 Case Studies, cont JEA I-Water Program, Jacksonville, FL Develop sustainable, integrated, and long-term water supply plan Aquifer recharge for long term supply viability Develop hydraulic model from source to user for operational excellence Minimize JEA s water supply risks on iwater facilities System redundancy to maximize reliability

32 Case Studies, cont. Aquifer Recharge Project, Pasco County, FL 385 acre wetland to restore hydrology using 5 MGD of available reclaimed water Nutrient reduction, effluent disposal, groundwater recharge, reduced pumping Habitat enhancement, recreational amenity

33 Case Studies, cont. Clayton County Water Authority, GA Water Resource Challenges Increasing costs Regulatory compliance (reuse rules, TMDLs, allocation) Drought Management Benefits of Integrated Water Management Planning Facilitates long-term planning Optimizes use of water resources Encourages and facilitates regional planning Enhances communication and support Wastewater Drinking Water Wetlands 34

34 Case Studies, cont. Seattle Public Utilities Seattle today uses about the same amount of water it was in the late 1950s with double the population Focus on water conservation supported by SPU Give away low flow shower heads Block rate pricing structure encouraging conservation Outlawing sale of inefficient toilets and faucets in early 1990s Participating in national, regional and local collaborative coalitions to translate climate change impacts Oregon State University/ University of Idaho Water Utility Climate Alliance 35

35 What you can do? Communicate and educate (climate risks & vulnerabilities) Lead by example (conservation & reuse) Leverage regional resources through collaboration Start a community of practice (COP) Plan the work and work the plan Monitor conditions, revise plan and continue Act Now 36

36 Key Takeaways 1. Understand climate science and system risks and vulnerabilities 2. Leverage regional knowledge and collaboration 3. Develop adaptive goals and objectives for infrastructure LOS 4. Be action oriented with longer term focus 5. Communicate value of resilience approach 6. Reassess and adapt as conditions change

37 Questions / Discussion Jason M. Bird Florida Resiliency Practice Leader Tampa, FL Jason.bird@CH2M.com