Leading the Way: How One Water Utility Is Responding to Climate Change and Protecting Water Supplies

In addition to the complex challenges facing utilities, such as budget issues and aging infrastructure, the immediate and long-term effects of climate change will threaten utilities’ ability to provide clean and safe water and wastewater treatment. The Environmental Protection Agency has built a tool to help utilities assess their vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies. Using this tool, the City of Lawrence, Mass. Water & Sewer Department identified the major threats it is likely to face from climate change under multiple scenarios and created a list of actionable strategies to harden its infrastructure. This process holds significant promise for utilities across the country, and Lawrence’s experience can be a guide for other communities.