This presentation will provide the latest climate change facts, projected impacts on water / wastewater systems, and potential adaptive measures.  Recent severe weather events, such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, have demonstrated the increasing volatility of the climate and weather. Climate change facts to be presented will include the latest versions of: The rate of sea level rise over the past 20 years has been 0.13 a year, roughly double the average of the preceding 80 years. The warmest seven years have all been since 2015Half of the ocean heat content increase in the past 150 years has occurred over the past 20 years. We are seeing weather and climate swings and severity than ever seen before. Impacts on water / wastewater systems to be presented include:

• Sea level rise inundating facilities near the water
• Salt water intrusion into surface water and groundwater supplies
• More severe swings in the weather, including droughts
• More frequent cascading disasters, such as droughts, wildfires, and mudslides Diminished raw water supplies
• Worsened forest fire run-offs Increased water temperature, resulting in more several algal blooms and toxins
• Increases in invasive and nuisance species
• Increases in natural organic matter and disinfection by-product precursors and associated challenges Increased sediment in raw water supplies
• Greater swings in wastewater flow levels and potential increases in sanitary sewer overflows (SSO)
• Challenges in wastewater treatment caused by increased temperatures
• More frequent and/or prolonged electrical power outages.

Adaptive measures will include:

• Continue all the existing preparedness measures vulnerability assessments (VA), emergency response plans (ERP), and business continuity plans (BCP)
• Develop climate action plans
• Develop drought response plans
• Modify raw water intakes
• Seek additional and emergency sources of supply
• Develop and maintain interconnections
• Prepare for adaptation of treatment processes Consider sea level rise in the planning, construction, and modifications of facilities
• Ensure adequate provisions for emergency electrical power
• Incorporate on-going conservation measures in water marketing, pricing, etc.
• Discourage or prohibit the use of potable water for irrigation, especially for non-native species
• Seek supplements to supplies Increase the production and use of reclaimed water
• Wastewater flow equalization facilities
• Increased emergency electrical generation facilities

This presentation will provide attendees with a greater awareness of the potential impacts of climate change on water and wastewater infrastructure and things they can do at work and at home to mitigate those impacts.

• Cost is $30 per attendee.

Webinar Information and Requirements:

Webinar Technical Requirements

• NC One Water will provide each attendee with the link to access the webinar and call-in audio instructions. NC One Water is not responsible for technical support before, during or after the webinar.
• Attendees must ensure that they have the needed equipment, that it is functioning, that it is compatible with the webinar system and that they know how to use it.
• Refunds will be handled according to NC One Water’s current seminar refund policy and will not be issued for attendees that experience technical or equipment failures during the webinar.
• NC One Water webinars are conducted using Zoom. It is highly recommended that you test your computers compatibility before planning to attend a webinar. How-to videos and additional Zoom resources can be found here: https://learn-zoom.us/show-me.
• To participate in the webinar, you must have access to a computer with an internet connection AND an audio connection (phone line or VOIP connection). It is recommended that you participate from a semi-private, quite location where there will be few distractions.

Webinar Continuing Education Units Requirements

• Attendees must be on camera at all times during the presentation. Visibility and participation will be monitored. Failure to participate and be visible will result in no CEUs being given.
• Attendees must pre-register and provide a valid certification numbers issued by the NCWPCSOCC, NCWTFOB or NC Professional Engineers.
• Attendees must be logged in at the beginning and must remain logged in through the end of the session. Attendees must promptly respond to brief quizzes that appear randomly throughout the webinar.
• Each attendee must be logged into a separate computer so that their participation may be accurately tracked.
• No partial credit will be given.
• After the webinar, NC One Water staff will email CEU documentation/certificates to attendees meeting the CEU requirements. Reports will also be sent to the appropriate certification boards.
• NC One Water will report all cases of fraudulent attendance to the appropriate licensing boards.
• Inability to complete CEU requirements due to technical difficulties will result in no CEU’s being issued.