Aging infrastructure is a challenge faced by many water resource managers. Consequently, many water utilities have begun to plan for future investments in infrastructure. However, climate change impacts may require water utility operators to rethink currently proposed infrastructure investments, which are based on historical climate. Instead, water utilities should develop infrastructure that accounts for increases in climate variability. Impacts such as rising sea-levels may necessitate large-scale, long-term, and capital intensive engineering projects that provide structural protection, such as levees.

Different management techniques require different levels of infrastructure investment. For example, supply-side management techniques require the capability to accurately forecast future water supply to inform long-term infrastructure investment. “Green” infrastructure solutions, such as rain barrels and restoration of riparian areas, present another infrastructure option for adaptation to climate change impacts. Overall, climate change will force water resource managers to rethink their approach to planning future infrastructure. Investing in a diverse portfolio of infrastructure options, including traditional “gray” infrastructure and “green” infrastructure, will increase the resiliency of water utilities to climate variability.