By Paul Roberts at The Herald: Climate change is altering our relationship with water, increasing heat, changing weather and precipitation patterns; amount and timing of rain and• snow, and accelerating glacial melting. Responding to these changes will require new ways of looking at water resources and management. Some strategies include:
• Preserving natural systems that support water storage and improve habitat such as wetlands and green infrastructure;
• Recycling and reusing water resources — also known as “One Water” — cutting across traditional utility and water system silos, expanding the menu of treatment and technology solutions to efficiently manage water resources;
• Recognizing the relationship and interdependence of food, energy and water (FEW) to address water, agriculture needs and food supply. Washington State University has done interesting work on FEW issues and the disruptions caused by climate change;
• Rethinking how we design, build and finance water infrastructure. Integrating supply, treatment, stormwater systems, reuse and recycling will become critical as water resources become more scarce. Upgrading today’s infrastructure will require new design and engineering, integrating technology with nature.
Paul Roberts’ career spans over five decades in infrastructure, economics and environmental policy including advising Washington cities on climate change and past Chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Board of Directors.
