Training and Engagement Center

This page provides training and technical assistance information for drinking water, wastewater, and storm water (water sector) utilities and stakeholders on how to build resilience and adapt to climate change impacts.

On this page:

• Technical Assistance
• Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) Trainings by Climate Region
• CREAT Stories from the Sector

Technical Assistance

Climate change poses significant challenges to water sector utilities in fulfilling their public and environmental health missions. Using our Resilient Strategies Guide (RSG) and Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT), water sector utility owners and operators can begin the process of assessing climate risk from these events. EPA provides a targeted and efficient technical assistance process with substantial facilitation support throughout. CRWU assists by promoting a clear understanding of climate change and helps to identify potential long-term adaptation options for decision-making related to implementation and infrastructure financing. To see what other utilities have done in the past related to climate assessment with CRWU view the Adaptation Planning in Action Videos or the trainings workshops below.

If you are a water sector utility or know of one that wants to receive technical assistance to conduct a climate risk assessment, contact CRWUhelp@epa.gov.

CREAT Trainings by Climate Region

The following detailed trainings on CREAT are offered for the climate regions depicted in the map. Each regional “Building Resilience and Adapting to Climate Change Impacts for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities” workshop series includes the following sessions:

• Introductory Session: includes a regional climate change synopsis, an overview of CRWU tools and resources, and a presentation on the use of CREAT from a water sector utility representative;
• Session 1: Module 1 (Climate Awareness) and Module 2 (Scenario Development);
• Session 2: Module 3 (Consequences and Assets) and Module 4 (Adaptation Plans);
• Session 3: Module 5 (Risk Assessment) and resources for financing adaptation options; and 
• Session 4: Webinar attendee Q&A and more details on financing adaptation options.

Find your climate region on the map and check out the recorded trainings available. If your climate region is not covered, explore the trainings offered in other regions and check back for new trainings.

Northeast Climate Region

Southeast Climate Region

Midwest Climate Region

Southern Great Plains Climate Region

Northern Great Plains Climate Region

Southwest Climate Region

Northwest Climate Region

Mid-Atlantic Climate Region

CREAT Stories from the Sector

• Increasing Water System Resilience in North Carolina

  

  Hear from the City of Durham's Department of Water Management about climate resilience efforts and their technical assistance work with CRWU. 

• Impact of Extreme Weather in the Southern U.S.

  

  Learn about historical extreme weather in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and how Lafayette Utilities System used CREAT to explore adaptation strategies to address flooding. 

• Developing Drought Resilience in Puerto Rico

  

  Hear from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority about climate resilience efforts and their technical assistance work with CRWU.

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  Adaptation Planning in Action

  Learn more about water utilities' efforts to increase their resilience using CRWU resources.