Water Utility Climate Alliance Insists on Being Prepared for Water Shortages

by Alex A. Kecskes

A number of U.S. water utilities have united to study how rising sea levels, droughts, and other global warming changes are affecting the nation's drinking water supplies.

United under the title of the Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA), the group noted that water agencies need the latest and most complete climate change research before they invest hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure over the next 15 years. Coalition members supply drinking water for more than 36 million people.

The WUCA is heeding the advice of scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography who warned of an impending water supply crisis throughout the western United States. Scientists asserted that human-caused climate change has affected the area. Over the last 50 years, a reduction in snow pack, increased mountain rain, and arid summers have impacted the area and increased the risk of a water shortage.

Members of the coalition include:

The WUCA is urging the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and researchers in the climate change field to improve and refine climate models and to apply them at the regional or local level. Their goal is to ensure that water providers have access to consistent climate data. WUCA has also asked scientists to coordinate international research efforts and to develop policy and planning tools that address abrupt climate changes.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on Utilities jobs, check out http://www.utilitiesjobs.com/