Project Example

Why invest in climate-resilient water infrastructure projects?

Climate change is fundamentally transforming water systems worldwide, creating unprecedented challenges for water management, distribution, and access. Investing in climate-resilient water infrastructure is no longer a choice but a necessity for environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

The Changing Landscape of U.S. Water Infrastructure

  • Mitigating climate change impacts
  • Ensuring sustainable water access
  • Supporting economic and environmental resilience
  • Protecting vulnerable communities

Key Challenges

Aging Infrastructure

  • Many systems over 50-100 years old
  • Requires significant reinvestment and modernization

Climate Change Adaptation

  • Increasing frequency of extreme weather events
  • Need for resilient water management systems

Water Quality Concerns

  • Addressing aging pipe networks
  • Mitigating potential contaminants
  • Ensuring safe drinking water

Did You Know?

Basic water services are unaffordable for 17% of the households (28.3 million persons). (Water Affordability in the U.S.)

The continued availability of irrigation for crops and landscaping is also vulnerable to climate change, particularly in the Southwest of the U.S. where irrigation accounts for the highest volume of water used.  (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit)

46 million people in the US live with water insecurity - either no running water or water that may be unsafe to drink. (uswateralliance.org

Infrastructure Elements

What elements should you be considering?

Key Trends in U.S. Water Infrastructure

Decentralized Water Systems

  • Localized water treatment and distribution
  • Reduced infrastructure costs
  • Enhanced resilience

Digital Water Management

  • AI and machine learning in water monitoring
  • Predictive maintenance
  • Real-time quality assessment

Climate-Resilient Design

  • Infrastructure adaptable to changing environmental conditions
  • Flood mitigation strategies
  • Water conservation technologies

Case Study

Las Vegas Water Management: Desert Sustainability Model

Las Vegas, despite its desert location, has become a leader in water management. The area has cut water use through turf removal, reuse systems, and strict conservation policies—proving that smart planning can overcome harsh conditions.

Water Challenges

  • Located in the Mojave Desert
  • Annual rainfall: Only 4 inches
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Rapidly growing population
  • Heavily dependent on Colorado River Basin

Water Sources

  • Primary: Lake Mead
  • Secondary: Groundwater aquifers and advanced recycling systems

Key Conservation Approaches

  • 100% Indoor Water Recycling
  •  All indoor water collected and treated
  •  Wastewater purified and returned to Lake Mead

Strict Regulatory Measures

  • Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) leads efforts
  • Mandatory water conservation regulations
  • Financial incentives for water-efficient practices

Innovative Landscape Management

  • Limits on grass lawns
  • Xeriscaping in new developments
  • Rebates for removing traditional lawns
  • Drought-resistant landscaping

Technological Innovations

  • Reverse osmosis systems
  • Membrane filtration
  • IoT-enabled water tracking
  • Real-time water quality monitoring

Environmental Impact

  • 26% per capita water consumption reduction since 2002
  • Nearly 100% indoor water recycling efficiency
  • Significant landscape water use reduction

Key Achievements

  • Transformed desert city water management
  • Model for sustainable urban water use
  • Balancing urban needs with environmental constraints

Future Focus

  • Enhanced recycling technologies
  • More aggressive conservation targets
  • Continued technological innovation

Resources