How to Insulate Your Water Resources from Climate Risk in the Changing Seasons
The summer heat made headlines again this year, prompting frequent stories about droughts, fires, and the unusual things found on dried-up lakebeds. For facility managers and business leaders, the summer season is also known for turning up the heat on facility costs, risks, and business outcomes. The long-term impacts of the sweltering summer months extend far into the fall, winter, and new year.
The summer sizzler of 2022
Summer 2022 was the third-hottest summer on record in the United States. International records also were broken in the U.K., the Netherlands, and other countries. In large geographic areas of the U.S., overnight temperatures hit their highest level in recorded history. According to a story by The Washington Post, “A trend toward warmer nights is one of the leading indicators of human-caused climate change, reflecting both the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and urbanization.”
While several parts of the U.S. experienced persistent droughts and fire dangers, the changing climate also brought historic flooding events in other parts of the country. Illinois, California, and Texas all saw extreme 1,000-year flooding events. Puerto Rico and Florida are still recovering from devastating hurricanes.
It’s clear that leaders must be prepared for not only acute extreme weather events, but also the long-term impacts of these weather events on water management. Done right, effective water resource management strategies during climate change events can have a positive effect on our communities and our overall impact on the environment.
Summer’s end: The long-term impact on water management
Extreme heat can cause climate disasters at both ends of the spectrum, from drought to floods. Both impact water supply and safety.
It’s easy to see how drought impacts water supply and scarcity. Climate change is shrinking our water supply in many parts of the world — while simultaneously increasing water demand. Our water resources must shift to meet the needs of increasingly urban communities, farmers, energy producers, manufacturers, and more.
Further compounding the complexity of the issue, too much water also poses a threat to water supply. Increases in flooding, runoff, or sea levels can reduce the quality of our water and damage important infrastructure.
These impacts stretch long after summer’s end, making it an imperative to implement year-round water management to ensure we’re ready when disaster strikes.
Tools and tech to insulate your facility against weather-related risk
Global business leaders are recognizing that water conservation and smart water resource management during climate change events must be priorities in the coming years. According to Carrier’s 2022 Environment, Social & Governance Report, “Reducing water consumption decreases the potential for business disruption, helps to conserve scarce resources, and promotes sustainability.”
In its efforts to move toward water neutrality, Carrier established “site-specific goals aligned with each facility’s size and water scarcity category and implemented best management practices, including leak management, flow meters, low-flow fixtures, process water recycling, and landscaping plans that minimize water use.”
Being prepared to address climate change-related impacts on facility water resource management means investing in the best water infrastructure and equipment — and in smart tools and strategies — to protect that infrastructure. It means building strategies both to conserve water and to protect your system from environmental damage.
While that all might sound like an impossible goal, new technologies are making water management easier and more effective. With artificial intelligence-powered software, facility managers can have better control of their water systems. Platforms like the Symphony Software Suite give transparent insights into a building’s water system 24 hours a day and help monitor and prevent risk.
Now is the perfect time to reevaluate your water strategy and ensure you are prepared for the future. With next-generation water management tools, businesses can significantly bolster their protection against environmental risks and actively promote a safer climate for all.
Beat the long-term impacts of increasingly hot summers through water management solutions at Aquanomix.com and get more water management tips on our blog.