Water System Planning Climate Resilience Element

Water system plans initiated after June 30, 2025, by water systems serving 1,000 or more connections must include a Climate Resilience Element in their Water System Plans (RCW 43.20.310).

The Climate Impacts Group supported the Washington State Department of Health’s development of a Water System Planning (WSP) Climate Resilience Element. Documents on the Department of Health WSP webpage include:

Updated Water System Planning Guidebook

Supporting Water Systems Planning Climate Resilience Element Workbook

Other Climate Resilience Planning Updates in Washington

The Water System Plan Climate Resilience Element is one piece of a larger package of recently initiated climate resilience planning efforts in Washington. Following the enactment of HB1181, state agencies have advanced other efforts to incorporate climate resilience in community planning and policy, including:

Climate Planning under the Growth Management Act

Shoreline Master Program – Sea Level Rise Consideration Requirement

State Climate Resilience Strategy

About this Webpage

This webpage was developed to share additional resources supporting water system’s development of their WSP Climate Resilience Element. Webpage sections are organized to align with sections in the WSP Guidebook and Climate Resilience Element Workbook.

The sections below share curated collections of data sources, tools, and informational resources designed to support drinking water systems in addressing potential impacts from climate change, extreme weather events, and other natural hazards. It serves as a central hub for water utilities, planners, and operators seeking guidance on building climate resilience and adapting infrastructure and operations. The resources on this page are designed to support all stages of the adaptation and resilience cycle, though are not required to be consulted to meet the requirement. Whether you are just beginning risk assessment and adaptation planning or enhancing existing efforts, this page connects you to practical, science-based support.

Understand Exposure

Climate Resilient Water Utilities

Practical tools, training, and technical assistance to increase system resilience to near- and longer-term weather variability. Tools are tailored to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. Developer: EPA.

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Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington

Washington-focused online mapping tool looking at a broad range of climate-related indicators (see CMRU worksheet). Developer: UW Climate Impacts Group.

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Climate Toolbox

A collection of web tools for visualizing past and projected climate and hydrology changes of the contiguous United States. Developer: University of California Merced.

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Climate Adaptation Resources for Washington (CAR-WASH)

This page serves as a central location of curated climate adaptation resources to address numerous climate and extreme weather hazards, serving a variety of different sectors. Resources include data and tools, synthesis reports, and case studies. Developer: UW Climate Impacts Group.

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Heavy Precipitation Projections for Use in Stormwater Planning

Collection of data visualization tools that summarize projected changes in heavy rainfall events for Washington state. Developer: UW Climate Impacts Group.

View the ResourceAdditional Resource: Technical Memo: Changes in Extreme Precipitation

Assess Vulnerability and Risk

Sea Level Rise Viewer

Interactive mapping tool to visualize future potential sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. Users can also select local sea level rise scenarios that can be displayed either by year or by individual scenario to visualize a range of possible sea level rise amounts by 2100. Developer: NOAA.

View the ResourceAdditional Resource: CIG SLR Data Visualizations

Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT)

Online tool for assessing water (and wastewater) utility risks, resilience, and countermeasures addressing risks. Can be used to fulfill AWIA Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) requirements. Includes both natural hazards and security risks. Developer: EPA.

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Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment Checklist

A risk and resilience assessment (RRA) checklist that can help water and wastewater utilities systematically assess threats from natural hazards (and other risk factors). This guidance is intended for small water or wastewater systems serving fewer than 50,000 people. Developer: EPA.

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Investigate Options

Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT)

This tool assists water sector utilities in assessing climate-related risks to utility assets and operations. The tool features five modules that guides users to consider climate impacts and identify adaptation options to increase resilience. CREAT integrates with the EPA Resilient Strategies Guide, as well as EPA’s Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT). Developer: EPA.

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American Water Works Association (AWWA) – Climate Change for Water Utilities Resources

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) offers a comprehensive suite of resources to assist drinking water systems in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. These resources encompass technical guidance, policy frameworks, and opportunities for professional engagement. The collection includes technical manuals, reports, and case studies. Developer: AWWA.

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Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center

Interactive resource to help local governments effectively deliver services to their communities even as the climate changes. Users select a geographic area and an area of interest – including topics on water management and water quality. The tool then provides tailored information about the risks posed by climate change to the issues of concern; relevant adaptation strategies; case studies illustrating how other communities have successfully adapted to those risks and tools to replicate their successes; and EPA funding opportunities. Developer: EPA.

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Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities

The Resilient Strategies Guide introduces drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities to the adaptation planning process. Utilities can use the Guide to identify their planning priorities, vulnerable assets, potential adaptation strategies and available funding sources. Developer: EPA.

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Prioritize and Plan

Leading Practices in Climate Adaptation

A guide to assist water utilities. The guide includes a collection of leading practices in climate adaptation and covers a suite of possible climate adaptation actions that can build resilience. Developer: Water Utility Climate Alliance.

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Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA) Resources

A comprehensive collection of reports, strategic plans, and technical resources focused on enhancing climate resilience in the water sector. Key topics include climate-informed water demand modeling, design considerations for climate-resilient water infrastructure, adaptation strategies for extreme heat and sea level rise, and guidance on integrating climate science into utility planning and operations, among many other topics. Developer: Water Utility Climate Alliance.

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Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA)

Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA): Collaborative Water Resources Planning for an Uncertain Future. A step-by-step guidebook designed to help water managers and planners navigate deep uncertainties—such as those posed by climate change—without relying solely on precise climate projections. CRIDA includes vulnerability assessments, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive planning techniques to develop robust, flexible strategies for sustainable water resource management. Developer: International Center for Integrated Water Resource Management.

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Using Climate Information in Water Utility Planning

A three-part webinar series designed to help small and medium water utilities plan and design for climate change. The series highlights approaches and lessons learned from other utilities in their efforts to build resilience to climate- and extreme weather-related risks. Developer: UW Climate Impacts Group.

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Supporting Climate Resilience for Small and Medium Water Systems

A multi-phase research project that provides insights on climate and extreme weather adaptation for small and medium drinking water systems. This webpage includes several reports and recorded webinars that synthesize climate risk and vulnerability, as well as adaptation and resilience recommendations for how small water systems may incorporate climate resilience into their planning and operations. Developer: UW Climate Impacts Group.

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