In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development and Office of Water jointly convened a two-day stakeholder workshop on Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Adaptation to Climate Change. The workshop was attended by more than 130 experts and interested groups from the federal, research, utility, engineering, and academic sectors. The workshop focused on sharing knowledge about climate change impacts on hydrology and water resource management, and evaluating needs for adaptive management and engineering tools and information.

Abt Associates’ staff provided technical and logistical support for the workshop. Abt’s subject matter experts worked with the EPA staff to provide input and advice on the agenda, format, and invitation list for the workshop. They also designed the breakout session process for the second day, facilitated discussions, and organized a follow-on inter-agency work session with key stakeholders the day after the workshop.

Based on the workshop proceedings, Abt developed a report that presented potential priorities for additional research to address adaptation needs in the water sector.

Read the report: Proceedings of the First National Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Adaptation to Climate Change