These case studies were motivated by requests from engineers across Climate Alliance utilities for concrete examples of how other water sector professionals are integrating climate change information into on-the-ground projects. Spanning from Seattle, Wash. to Miami, Fla. and Copenhagen, Denmark, the case studies demonstrate how engineers and water managers are applying climate change data and information to redesign facilities and assets, increase levels of climate resilience and reduce risks to infrastructure. For example, the Ship Canal Water Quality Project is a Seattle-based project that aims to effectively manage stormwater during extreme precipitation events, which are projected to become more intense under future climate change. While climate adaptation best practices continue to mature, case studies like these offer practical approaches for designing engineering projects for a changing climate.

Case studies were developed in partnership with the utilities and operators profiled. Project contacts are provided in each case study to facilitate follow-up and enable interested readers to learn more about implementing similar measures or approaches.

Heavy Precipitation Projections for Use in Stormwater Planning. We summarized the projected changes in heavy rainfall events from a new set of regional climate model projections for use in stormwater and combined sewer overflow planning. We developed an online tool and repository to support municipal and rural stormwater planning.

Climate Robust Culvert Design. This multi-phase project aims to help engineers and resource managers incorporate projections of future streamflow into designing structures that can accommodate fish passage and streamflow, with a particular focus on culverts. This long-term project has resulted in a culvert tool for the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife that can help engineers and resource managers understand how the stream width at their project site may change in the future.

Using Climate Information in Water Utility Planning Webinar Series. This three-part webinar series was designed to help small and medium water utilities plan and design for climate change. Based on the feedback we received in a survey and focus groups of water utility managers, the series highlighted approaches and lessons learned from other utilities.

Supporting Climate Resilience for Small and Medium Water Systems. The objective of this project is to provide technical assistance and support to small and medium water systems so they can incorporate climate resilience into water system planning.

Photo credit: Get Archive Eliud Echevarria5