Climate Change and Water Safety Plans - Water Safety Portal

PHILWATER 2011
19th PWWA INTERNATI0NAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
SMX Convention Center, Seashell Lane
Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines
September 28-30, 2011
Global Perspectives on Climate
Change and Water Safety Plans
Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, Technical Officer
Environmental Health, WHO-Philippines
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Outline
• Climate and Water
• Climate Change, Water, and Health
• Role of Water Safety Plan
• Pointers for Applying Water Safety Plan vs.
Climate Change
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Climate and Water
Water Cycle
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Vulnerable Areas to the Impact
of Climate Change
Water
Shortage
Freshwater
reduction;
Melting of ice
formations
Floods;
droughts
Sea level
rise
Africa
Asia
Latin
America
Small
Islands
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Source: WHO, 2008
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Climate Change and Health
• WHO estimated that climate change is responsible for:
- 2.4% of diarrhea cases (worldwide)
- 6% of malaria cases (in some middle-income countries)
- 7% of dengue fever cases (in some industrialized countries)
in 2000
• In total, climate change was estimated to be responsible
for 0.3% of deaths and 0.4% of disability adjusted
life years (World Health Report, 2002).
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Temperature and rainfall vs. Diarrhoea
A Pacific Islands study:
• 3% increase in diarrhoea per
degree increase in temperature
• 2% increase in diarrhoea per unit
increase in rainfall above 5 × 10 –5
kg/m 2 /min
• 8% increase in diarrhoea per unit
decrease in rainfall below 5 × 10 –5
kg/m 2 /min
(Singh, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001)
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Role of Water Safety Plan
Climate Change
Source Treatment Storage Distribution HH
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

4 th Edition of WHO Guidelines for
Drinking Water Quality, 2011
• Chapter 6
Application of the Guidelines in
specific circumstances
6.1 Climate change, water scarcity
and heavy rainfall (p.94)
• Guidance on WSP and Climate
Change – on the draft stage
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Pointers for Applying WSP
vs. Climate Change
• Augment the WSP team
(e.g. Climatologist)
-Advice on climate trends
and forecasts
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Pointers for Applying WSP
vs. Climate Change
• Describe the system and
how it may change due to
climate
Scenario Analysis
• Climate predictions
• Water resource implications
• Identification of new sources
• Water quality implications
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Pointers for Applying WSP
vs. Climate Change
• Conduct hazard analysis
and risk assessment
considering climate
change
Hazardous events
• Frequent typhoons
• Heavy flooding
• Intense rains
• Higher temperature
• Sea level rise in coastal
areas
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Pointers for Applying WSP
vs. Climate Change
• Design control measures
addressing climate
change-related hazardous
events
Control measures
• Alternative sources:
rainwater, wastewater
recycling, desalination
• Climate-resilient
technologies
• Upgrading water
treatment capacity
• Increasing water storage
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Conclusion
• Climate change is happening and affecting water
supply systems
• Water safety plan is an approach that can reduce the
impact of climate change on water supply and health
• Water safety plan provides a system for protecting
water quality, consequently, protecting public health.
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

More information:
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/
Public Health and Environment
http://www.who.int/phe/en/
Global Environmental Change
http://www.who.int/globalchange/
Climate Change
http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines

Thank you and Good Day!!!
Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines