AWWA ACE63158

Climate change research has progressed to the point that most climate changeresearchers and models have come to similar general conclusions that average globaltemperatures will increase. Much of the research is now focused on more regionalimpacts, and the latest modeling efforts provide useful information at the regional level.This paper describes the current understanding of climate change impacts in the CentralSierra Nevada region, how this might impact future operations for the East BayMunicipal Utility District (EBMUD) and other water utilities, and how the currentresearch is being incorporated into EBMUD's long-term water supply planning. Potential climate change impacts on water systems discussed in the paper include: water supply availability impacts; flood control/storage impacts; operational reliability impacts; and, water quality impacts. In general, the results of these climate change impacts studies have indicatedonly modest impact on its water supply reliability. The study results showed a more dramatic impacton EBMUD ability to contain future floods in a warmer climate. The paper provides a summary of the studies that EBMUD performed looking at the impact on water supplyreliability and flood control. The paper offers suggestions on how water utilities should prepare for climate change. Includes reference, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/01/2006

Number of Pages:

8

File Size:

1 file , 250 KB