Implications of Climate Change for Urban Water Utilities

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies released this report in December 2007 to serve as an overview of some of the possible scenarios that water utility managers will face as a result of climate change. Some of the climate change impacts described in the report include rising sea levels, accelerating hydrologic cycles, ecosystem stresses, water contamination, and uncertain water flows. The report considers the pros and the cons of the two most common ways to respond to the impacts of climate change, which are vulnerability analysis and integrated resource planning. Although it is tailored to water utility managers, this report provides valuable information for anybody interested in the effects of climate change on water systems and how to adapt to them.

To download full report, click link to PDF on right.