Presentation Overview

Transcription

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2 Mission Lead to provide the water sector (drinking water, wastewater, and storm water) 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. 2

3 Presentation Overview Introductions Overview of CRWU NDWAC Report Overview of CRWU Toolbox Overview of Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool (CREAT) Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Program Proposed Joint CREAT / National Estuary Program Exercise 3

4 Overview of CRWU NDWAC Report 1. What is climate ready? 2. Climate Ready Water Utilities Working Group 3. CRWU resources 4

5 Climate Ready Water Utilities Working Group In May 2009, the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) voted on and approved the formation of a working group to evaluate Climate Ready Water Utilities. The charge included: 1.Developing attributes of climate ready water utilities; 2.Identifying climate change-related tools, training and products to address utilities short- and long-term needs; and 3.Identifying mechanisms that would facilitate the adoption of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies by the water sector.

6 Working Group recommended EPA should: Create and implement a CRWU program Integrate CRWU into existing EPA efforts Coordinate with other federal partners, states, associations, utilities Promote watershed planning and encourage adoption of integrated water resources management Develop an adaptive regulatory capacity NDWAC CRWU Report Recommendations 6

7 CRWU Resources NDWAC CRWU Report Final WG report provides EPA with recommendations on developing a CRWU initiative to support water sector climate resiliency Adaptive Response Framework Tool Fundamental guide to build out the concept of a climate ready water utility, integrates with other tools Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool Risk assessment tool designed to build climate change knowledge and support adaptation planning in the water sector CRWU Toolbox Searchable resource containing information to support the Climate Ready process 7

8 Additional Activities Tabletop Exercise Tool Adaptation Strategies Guide CRWU Brochure CRWU Report Overview 8

9 CRWU Toolbox Resources for Planning a Response to Climate Change 9

10 CRWU Toolbox Features: Browse by Tabs Region Map Highlighted Resources Link Direct to Web Page Option to Show Searchable Database/Re sources List Send to questions and comments to 10

11 CRWU Toolbox: Search Feature 11

12 Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool (CREAT)

13 CREAT Overview Assists utility owners and operators in: Assessing the climate-related risks at their utility Evaluating adaptation options to reduce these risks Conducting assessments as part of long-term planning and decision-making processes Complementing existing tools used to make projections or assessments regarding utility management (e.g., models of hydrology, urbanization, and demand) Accommodates a range of uncertainty in climate information 13

14 Overall Benefits Provides a structured approach to evaluate potential impacts of climate change on utilities and evaluate adaptation options to address these impacts Provides a series of risk-reduction cost reports that can facilitate the evaluation of adaptation options Evolves over time as new climate information becomes available 14

15 CREAT Process Inventory utility and climate change concerns Evaluate risks and inform adaptation planning 15

16 Assets Asset library includes both infrastructure and natural resources (some of which may not be owned by utility) Ability to specify locations and organize in groups for consideration in risk assessments EXAMPLES: Infrastructure Natural Resources Structures (e.g., treatment plant) Wetlands Power supply Flood protections Collection systems (e.g., sewers, (e.g., wetlands, flood pump stations) plains) Wastewater treatment unit processes Receiving waters Outfalls 16

17 Threats Inventory organized based on regions and drivers Each threat is linked to time periods and assets for assessment of consequences Threats can be customized with respect to magnitude, frequency, and location EXAMPLES: Coastal storm surge and flooding Change in frequency and level due to sea level rise and storm intensity Temperature and volume changes Earlier spring runoff More frequent days with temperatures above 90 o F 17

18 Climate Information National and regional climate change descriptions Climate-related threat descriptions Preliminary adaptation libraries 18

19 Climate Information 19

20 Climate Information 20

21 Adaptive Measures Inventory built using tool resources Existing: current resilience to future threats Potential: increase resilience to future threats Link to asset-threat pairs Can include best management practices or capital improvements EXAMPLES: Relocate pumping stations Update flood models CSO reduction increase storm water storage Wetland construction 21

22 Risk Assessment Evaluate Risk & Plan Adaptation Estimate consequences to assets from threats on selected time periods using existing adaptive measures Select adaptation measures to consider and assess consequences after their addition Implementation Planning Develop adaptation packages Review benefits, compared to costs, across time periods and between packages 22

23 Reports for Stakeholders Risk profiles for Baseline and Resilience reviewed with respect to time periods and selected adaptation package Narrative and data reports available Summary report detailing the costs and benefits of adaptation packages across time periods 23

24 CREAT Benefits Uses a flexible and systematic assessment process Provides a user-friendly interface with self-help resources Includes information on regional climate projections and related threats Accommodates uncertainty in climate projections, water resource allocation, and future budgets Incorporates qualitative and quantitative information regarding threats, consequences, and costs used in assessments Produces reports that can be integrated into adaptation decision-making and planning processes 24

25 Outreach and Training Software is available at: Training and Outreach 101: Introduction (Late Spring 2011) 201: Inventory & Climate Science (Summer 2011) 301: Assessment & Planning (Summer 2011) CREAT version 2.0 Early 2012 release 25

26 Climate Ready Estuaries

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28 National Estuary Programs

29 Promoting a climate ready National Estuary Program 1. Fund and support local projects 2. Vulnerability assessment workshops 3. Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans 4. Foster local collaborations 5. Communication and outreach 6. Interagency cooperation 7. Coordinating with strategic planning

30 Mean Sea Level Trend, Sandy Hook, N.J. at the historic rate: 1 in. every 6 years

31 Proposed Joint CREAT / National Estuary Program Exercise 31

32 Background Impacts of climate change can extend beyond traditional utility assets Need to identify local and regional consequences from climate change Need to develop adaptation strategies that are integrated at a watershed scale 32

33 Objectives Support joint climate change risk assessment activities and adaptation planning by water utilities and the National Estuary Program Assess the applicability of CREAT software for identifying watershed scale climate change consequences and developing adaptation strategies Identify ways to enhance the water resources and ecosystem sections of CREAT Identify gaps in CREAT approach and any areas for further refinement 33

34 Exercise Benefits Facilitated collaboration between water utility and NEP partners Introduction to CREAT Opportunity to provide direct feedback to enhance future versions of CREAT Use CREAT reports to enhance awareness of climate impacts and identify adaptation strategies Jointly identify and prioritize potential adaptation options that are mutually beneficial to utility and estuary 34

35 Logistics and Potential Schedule CREAT Webinar Draft Report on Improvements to CREAT CREAT Exercise APR MAY JUN JUL AUG Enter Utility & NEP Partners Information Final Exercise Report Draft Exercise Methodology Report 35

36 CRWU website: Questions? Sign up for e-newsletters: EPA Climate Change and Water News: Send a blank to water_and_climate_change_listserve-subscribe@lists.epa.gov EPA climate change activities: John Whitler, U.S. EPA, , whitler.john@epa.gov 36