Are Wastewater Systems Adapting to Climate Change?

Abstract

Wastewater (WW) systems are vulnerable to extreme precipitation events; storm‐induced WW system failures pollute the environment and put public health at risk. Despite these vulnerabilities, we know very little about how WW managers are responding to current climate risks or to future climate change. This study aims to fill this critical gap in the literature. Data from surveys and interviews were used to understand what WW managers are doing to adapt to the current climate, what facilitates those adaptations, and if they are adapting to future climate change. Findings show most WW managers (78%) are making changes to build resiliency to storms they have experienced in the past (e.g., extra fuel on site, extra staff on call, more training, better communication, adding generators, elevating components, adding capacity); most are not adapting to future climate change. Our work suggests organizational leadership, concern about future climate‐related impacts, and experiencing storm impacts drive resiliency changes while regulatory requirements drive adaptation to future climate change. Beyond advancing science, our work offers practical suggestions for building WW system resilience and for increasing WW system's consideration of future climate impacts in their resiliency building efforts.

A systematic global stocktake of evidence on human adaptation to climate change

“…In Africa and Asia, farmers commonly use drought-tolerant plant and animal species, water and soil management practices, and diversified income streams to spread risks and adjust to shifting climate conditions 80,[84][85][86][87][88][89] . Technical and infrastructural responses are also common, most notably in Europe and in cities, particularly in the water sector 90,91 . Institutional responses, such as creating policies, programmes, regulations and procedures and establishing formal and informal organizations-for example, social support groups, climate insurance services 92 , capacity building and financial assistance programmes-are reported most frequently in the food and health sectors and in cities.…”

Mapping evidence of human adaptation to climate change

“…76,[79][80][81][82][83][84] Technical and infrastructural responses are also common, most notably in Europe and in cities, particularly in the water sector. 85,86 Institutional responses such as instituting policies, programs, regulations, and procedures, and forming formal and informal organizations (e.g. social support groups), climate insurance services, 87 capacity-building, and financial assistance programs are reported most frequently in the food and health sectors and in cities.…”

Nexus Between Environmental Quality And Economic Sustainability: Evidence From Pakistan Based On Time Series Data

“…In addition, industrialized countries have requested that emerging countries raise an extra $100 billion year by 2020. It will keep happening until 2025 (Kirchhoff & Watson, 2019). (Ur RAHMAN, 2019) make the case that although most CO2 emissions originate from developed nations owing to industrialization, it is vital to include both the developing and rising economies in the battle against reducing world emissions.…”