Revised AWWA Policy Statement on Climate Change

The AWWA Policy Statement on Climate Change was revised further after previously being posted for member comment. The latest revision is now available for member comment.  

Comments on the policy statement will be reviewed by AWWA staff and forwarded to the Executive Committee if the comments are minor or referred back to the originating body if the comments are substantive. Policies forwarded to the Executive Committee will be reviewed for approval and final action.

Revised AWWA Policy Statement on Climate Change

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recognizes that global climate change is impacting and will continue to impact ecosystems, the hydrologic cycle, the natural and built landscape, and our communities. Global climate change contributes to changes in water demand, quantity, quality, timing, and reliability. Natural hazards, exacerbated by climate change, have the potential to disrupt the sources, systems, and facilities on which water utilities rely to provide safe and affordable water supplies. Additionally, water issues will also shift populations, impact economies, and the communities that water utilities serve. AWWA also recognizes that water utilities may have a role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. 

Water utilities that continually work to provide safe and affordable water can also serve a role in enhancing the quality of life of communities which are impacted by climate change and protecting and restoring ecosystems. To this end and to guide their decision making, water utilities are encouraged to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

AWWA recommends that water utilities collaborate with local stakeholders and regional partners, including academic and scientific institutions, to incorporate climate change considerations into integrated planning efforts and to develop Climate Action Plans. These comprehensive planning efforts should assess climate-related threats to water supply and reliability. AWWA recommends that utilities identify and evaluate potential impacts to water facilities, supplies, source areas, and utility staff from a range of future climate scenarios that reflect climate variability and extremes. Water utilities should plan for and implement proactive adaptation measures, projects and programs and emergency response strategies to reduce vulnerability to identified climate threats.  Finally, water utilities should evaluate and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and optimize energy consumption from all water utility activities.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other pertinent AWWA policy statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors Jan. 17, 2010. Revised Jan. 19, 2014 and Oct. 24, 2018. Date to be updated upon Executive Committee approval.

Submit comments by May 16, 2025.