Drinking Water Utility-Level Understanding of Climate Change Effects to System Reliability

Climate change hazards, including increased temperatures, drought, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, wildfires, and changes in freeze–thaw cycles, are expected to degrade drinking water utility system infrastructure decrease the reliability of provision. To assess how manager perceptions these risks affect planning, 60 semistructured interviews were conducted with utilities various sizes, source supplies, United States geographical regions. This study analyzes (1) evaluate which climate hazards primary concern managers, (2) develop a mental model framework for assessing utility-level understanding reliability, (3) examine status current adaptation planning. The results show that awareness hazard vary geographically grounded historical exposure; some participants do not believe will influence their system’s overall reliability. When considering risks, managers tend focus on effects supply infrastructure, as opposed operations maintenance, quality, or business functions. Most surveyed have comprehensive plans despite federal professional recommendations. range beliefs actions concerning planning indicates need directed guidance, policymakers should consider projections part required risk resilience assessments.