Water sector: how to expedite climate resilience

Sea levels are rising. Glaciers are melting. Highs and lows in rainfall are becoming more frequent and intense. For those of us working to manage the safe flow and supply of water, climate change isn’t a theoretical future development. We’re dealing with its effects now – and anticipating its future impact.

How can the water sector develop the resilience it needs to predict and mitigate flood events and secure water resources for the long term? And do this while simultaneously tackling other challenges including regulatory requirements, land use changes and growing energy needs?

I answer those questions in this article, so read on.

Enhance your understanding of climate risk with data

To cope with climate challenges caused by rising sea levels, flash flooding and variability in rainfall, water management systems need more storage and enhanced contingency measures. But how do you identify your assets, networks and infrastructure most at risk?

To fully understand current and future climate risks facing your water utilities organisation, you first need the right data and systems.

Covering 19 natural hazards – including pluvial, fluvial and coastal flooding – the Twinn Climate Intelligence Suite combines high-resolution natural hazard data with machine learning, climate exposure analysis and risk scoring systems. It allows you to:

• Gain a detailed view of real-time and future flood hazards – supporting better planning, decision-making and preparedness for future climate events
• Get climate risk scores for individual sites – right down to specific addresses and site locations worldwide
• Unlock 24/7 risk intelligence through in-built alerting – updating you on ways in which climate hazards might impact business continuity

Our experts can help you use data science to enhance traditional flood management.

Backed by Royal HaskoningDHV’s 140 years of engineering expertise, our consultants leverage experience that spans climate science, engineering realities, regulatory shifts and business drivers to structure your climate resilience approach.

For example, Royal HaskoningDHV collaborated with North Norfolk District Council, the Environment Agency and Bacton Terminal Companies to use a digital twin to demonstrate how sea currents are moving sediment – ultimately preventing coastal erosion using just sand.

As we’ve seen recently, people are incredibly adaptable – and society can often mobilise quickly. But to trigger the decision to make it happen, we need to understand the problem.

This is another area where data science can have a profound impact. Using information visualisations – data-driven animations and inundation modelling, for example – Twinn can help you change the conversation by communicating the urgency, ensuring the support of multiple stakeholders.

Leverage climate risk intelligence to inform strategy and power growth

Climate risk intelligence doesn’t just help you build resilience by predicting and preventing future disruption. It also gives you the tools to inform your immediate and longer-term risk planning and investment strategy.

For example, Anglian Water used Twinn FloodScore climate data to screen its UK assets. Following this, a Royal HaskoningDHV team conducted site visits at 25 high-risk sites to determine the level of protection required. This has enhanced the company’s understanding of how flood risk and climate change will impact its assets, and has shaped its strategy and business plan.