Climate change is challenging the way
utilities plan and design their infrastructure.
The variability of climate change repercussions
adds new uncertainties to the fundamental
assumptions of infrastructure engineering.
Utilities are faced with the prospect
of modifying existing planning and design
practices to address the risks presented by
climate change; however, the difficulty lies
in determining for which climate risks utilities
need to plan. This article evaluates the
potential effects of climate change on water
utility planning and design through survey
and case studies. On the basis of these findings,
various strategies for adapting to the
wide range of projected climate change
impacts are discussed. A general framework
for evaluating the effects of climate change
on facility planning and design is also presented.
This framework helps utilities identify
which aspects may be sensitive to climate
change as well as options that can be
used to reduce the risks associated with
climate change uncertainty.Includes 14 references, tables, figures.