Adverse Weather Related Impacts on Water Testing Laboratories and US EPA Water Laboratory Alliance Resources
Oral Presentation
Prepared by N. Hwang
US EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4608T), Office of Water, Washington, DC, 20460, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 202-564-9499
ABSTRACT
Many projected climate impacts can alter drinking water quality and quantity, which could have implications for environmental and public health laboratories. For example, more frequent and more intense flooding events can result in increased sedimentation, turbidity, and pollution inputs; increased surface water temperatures can lead to increased nutrients and other pollutants in water, and an increased frequency of algal blooms; the impacts of which may challenge laboratories with increased demand for sampling and potential analytical matrix interference issues. Other projected climate change impacts that could alter water quality and quantity include sea-level rise, increased periods of prolonged drought, and increased risk of wildfire.
This joint presentation would provide attendees with an overview of how climate change could impact the procedures and operations of environmental and public health laboratories across the country, as well as recommended actions laboratories can take to adapt to those impacts. The WLA provides drinking water and wastewater utilities (the Water Sector) with an integrated nationwide network of laboratories that have the analytical capability and capacity to respond to natural, intentional and unintentional drinking water contamination incidents involving chemical, biological and radiochemical contaminants.
This presentation will relate the information found in the draft 2013 National Climate Assessment (http://www.globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment) to environmental and public health laboratories, specifically relating the potential impacts, subsequent risks and adaptation options associated with events such as increased flooding, periods of prolonged drought, and elevated risk of wildfires. The presentation will illustrate some of the potential impacts noted in the 2013 National Climate Assessment by reviewing a case study from a WLA Member laboratory’s experiences following the September 2013 flooding in Colorado. The case study will discuss the laboratory’s emergency sampling and analysis in response to the flooding and examine the underlying causes for contamination concerns related to widespread wildfires prior to the floods. Participation in WLA exercises, as well as internal training, allowed the laboratory to handle an influx of samples and provide information in a timely manner during the emergency.
Looking forward, climate model projections indicate that the frequency of extreme events, including intense precipitation and wildfires, could increase in the flood-impacted region of Colorado and elsewhere throughout the Nation. The impacts from these events may challenge laboratories with increased demand for sampling, and potential changes to the types of analyses conducted due to matrix issues. Therefore it is important for laboratories to understand projected climate change impacts and how to adapt to them to increase their climate readiness in the future.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by N. Hwang
US EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4608T), Office of Water, Washington, DC, 20460, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 202-564-9499
ABSTRACT
Many projected climate impacts can alter drinking water quality and quantity, which could have implications for environmental and public health laboratories. For example, more frequent and more intense flooding events can result in increased sedimentation, turbidity, and pollution inputs; increased surface water temperatures can lead to increased nutrients and other pollutants in water, and an increased frequency of algal blooms; the impacts of which may challenge laboratories with increased demand for sampling and potential analytical matrix interference issues. Other projected climate change impacts that could alter water quality and quantity include sea-level rise, increased periods of prolonged drought, and increased risk of wildfire.
This joint presentation would provide attendees with an overview of how climate change could impact the procedures and operations of environmental and public health laboratories across the country, as well as recommended actions laboratories can take to adapt to those impacts. The WLA provides drinking water and wastewater utilities (the Water Sector) with an integrated nationwide network of laboratories that have the analytical capability and capacity to respond to natural, intentional and unintentional drinking water contamination incidents involving chemical, biological and radiochemical contaminants.
This presentation will relate the information found in the draft 2013 National Climate Assessment (http://www.globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment) to environmental and public health laboratories, specifically relating the potential impacts, subsequent risks and adaptation options associated with events such as increased flooding, periods of prolonged drought, and elevated risk of wildfires. The presentation will illustrate some of the potential impacts noted in the 2013 National Climate Assessment by reviewing a case study from a WLA Member laboratory’s experiences following the September 2013 flooding in Colorado. The case study will discuss the laboratory’s emergency sampling and analysis in response to the flooding and examine the underlying causes for contamination concerns related to widespread wildfires prior to the floods. Participation in WLA exercises, as well as internal training, allowed the laboratory to handle an influx of samples and provide information in a timely manner during the emergency.
Looking forward, climate model projections indicate that the frequency of extreme events, including intense precipitation and wildfires, could increase in the flood-impacted region of Colorado and elsewhere throughout the Nation. The impacts from these events may challenge laboratories with increased demand for sampling, and potential changes to the types of analyses conducted due to matrix issues. Therefore it is important for laboratories to understand projected climate change impacts and how to adapt to them to increase their climate readiness in the future.
