Investment in Infrastructure to Support Climate Change Resilience: The Sooner We Act, The Lower The Cost and Risk

Federal funding for water infrastructure, as well as policies that encourage investment in water infrastructure, will help enable the sector to adapt to climate change as efficiently as possible. The following examples demonstrate adaptation measures and cost savings through proactive investment.

Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and ABCWUA have demonstrated that adapting to drought need not incur high costs. Several policies, programs, and ordinances encourage water-conserving landscaping and water-efficient appliances in new development. For example: Requiring low-flow toilets in all new residential construction and public buildings, and offering a rebate program for homeowners...

Parts of Kansas City, Missouri are at a high risk of flooding from rivers and streams. The city’s 100-year flood plain contains more than 2,000 buildings, and some businesses experience flooding of up to 10 feet every five years. The Wet Weather Solutions Program seeks to upgrade street and sewer infrastructure, improve water quality, and prevent flood damage. The...

San Francisco’s innovative and aggressive climate change policies boosted the local economy while building resiliency in water sector. An early risk of sea level rise (SLR) to San Francisco is the potential for seawater to overtop into low- elevation fixed weirs in Combined Sewer Discharge (CSD) outfall structures ultimately entering wastewater treatment facilities and posing a...

Average annual precipitation has increased ∼ 5% since 1900. Extreme precipitation events are projected to become more frequent and intense. Hurricane-associated storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to increase. Global sea is projected to rise another one to four feet by 2100. Average temperature has increased by 1.3°F to 1.9°F since 1895; Temperatures are expected to...