GAO Urges Water Utility Climate Resistance
Water utility climate resistance is critical for the future of society as we know it, according to a just-released report from the Government Accountability Office. According to the report, although most people focus on electric utilities when thinking about the threat of climate change, water utilities face an even greater risk.
What Does Water Utility Climate Resistance Really Mean?
The GAO report goes into a lot of detail regarding the steps that must be taken to ensure water utility climate resistance going forward. Here is a snapshot of some of the report’s recommendations:
- A network or association of technology companies that specialize in the water utility industry should be formed to brainstorm ideas and develop implementation plans.
- The federal government should create mandates that require water utilities to develop plans, processes and protocols designed to counteract climate change.
- Government funding of water utility initiatives should take into account climate resistance plans.
- The EPA should provide technical assistance to help water companies enhance their resiliency.
There are a few additional recommendations in the GAO report, but these seem to be the most important ones.
Overall, I think this report is long overdue. Water utilities don’t get a lot of press when it comes to boosting resiliency, and as such, they aren’t subject to the same level of accountability or scrutiny as electric utilities. This is a mistake, because although electricity is important, it’s not hard to make the case that the supply of water is equally, if not more, important than the supply of power.
The burning question: is the GAO report enough to provide a boost to water utility climate resistance tactics? The answer, in my opinion, is a resounding “no,” but at least it’s a start. Clearly more work needs to be done, and more pressure needs to be applied. Unless this becomes more of a societal focus, nothing will change. Let’s hope that does not turn out to be the case.
