Water Utility Response to Climate Change

Climate change impacts pose a variety of operational and infrastructure challenges to the water sector, and water and wastewater utilities are responding in different capacities. In California, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has been at the forefront of climate change awareness, greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, and energy efficiency. EBMUD has also contributed to adaptation planning across the water sector by participating in a Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) Working Group initiated by the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC). Through participation in the CRWU working group, EBMUD has helped build out the concept of a climate ready water utility and has aided in the development of climate ready resources. The Adaptive Response Framework provided by the working group should advance the water sector's ability to prepare for and respond to climate change. EBMUD has also advanced climate adaptation in the water sector through its example of adaptation planning and implementation of demand management, use of recycled water and diversification of water supply sources.