Water: Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA4) Volume 2, Chapter 3

The Water chapter of NCA4 Volume II (scheduled for release in December 2018) focuses on the freshwater risks the nation faces from a changing climate. Building on the projected changes in precipitation, droughts, and floods from NCA4 Volume I (science2017.globalchange.gov), the chapter examines how these changes are exacerbating the challenge of ensuring a reliable supply of clean freshwater to individuals, communities, and ecosystems. This poster will share key messages from the chapter and examples of climate- and weather-related water risks faced within the regions of the United States.

Written by a team of Federal and non-Federal experts, the chapter explores key issues related to the nation's future water quality and available quantity, critical water and wastewater infrastructure, and the challenges of managing the nation's water within the context of a changing climate. It highlights existing risk in the water sector including aging and deteriorating water infrastructure, the economic cost of water-related climate and weather disasters in the United States, groundwater depletion, and recent examples of adaptation efforts made by large water management agencies.