Are climate variations reducing the reliability of our water supplies

View/ Open
Date
2009-04Author
Osborne, Robert R.
Kenel, Pamela
Walker, Hope
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Climate variability affects the availability
and quality of water resources. Unanticipated extremes,
such as unprecedented periods of drought, temperature,
and intense rainfall / runoff, will affect water treatment
and supply operations. Facilities have been designed and
managed for a set of historical conditions that may well
be changing. Utilities need to prepare themselves for
additional uncertainties associated with a changing
climate. Specifically, how might a changing climate
affect the yield and reliability of existing and future water
supplies?
Since 1998, the southeastern United States have
experienced record low stream flows and periods of
drought extending over several years. Record low
reservoir levels have been observed in municipal water
supplies, while new and lower safe yields have been
calculated. Is this a coincidence, or is a pattern emerging?
Through the use of several examples in the Southeast,
this paper will discuss the potential effects of climate
variability on reliable water quantity, as well as possible
water quality concerns. Comparisons of individual and
system safe yield, before and after recent periods of
drought (1998-2002, 2005, 2006-2008) will illustrate this
issue.