Water utilities face the complex task of incorporating climate adaptation into their long-term strategies. A recent webinar hosted by Canadian Water Network (CWN) and GHD tackled this issue. Greg Finlayson from GHD Australia and Ryan Brotchie from GHD Canada introduced the Adaptive Pathways Planning (APP) framework as a solution. This approach is gaining traction globally for managing water resources amid challenges like sea level rise, flooding and population changes.

The APP framework is an intuitive planning framework that focuses on structuring the problem, identifying potential pathways and monitoring progress. The framework is based on the long-term flood risk management planning work done by the UK Environment Agency for the Thames Estuary and has been adapted for use in the water sector.

Greg explained that APP encourages broad, future-focused planning. It involves considering various potential futures and identifying strategies that are either robust—effective across different futures—or flexible—adaptable when circumstances change. The decision context is also crucial, as it helps identify trigger points for action.

Ryan presented international case studies of large and medium-sized municipalities that have applied the APP framework to advance water resources planning in the context of risk management and uncertainty. Highlights included Melbourne Water Corporation, which adapted the framework used in the Thames Estuary flood management plan and modified it to suit the water context.

Melbourne Water’s plan focuses on big-picture thinking where scenarios related to future water supply and demand are explored. Consideration is given to the impacts under different scenarios and the strategies, such as desalination, stormwater reuse and wastewater reuse, that would be most suited to those scenarios. Melbourne’s plan places a significant emphasis on flexibility and readiness.

Similarly, Sydney Water has explored the pathways for investments in wastewater transportation and treatment, given the scarcity of surface water and the sensitivity of waterways. Medium-size communities, including Humboldt County in California and Redland City Council in Australia, have also used the APP framework to plan for sea level rise projections, flood risks and wastewater/biosolids management scenarios.

APP provides a framework for managing uncertainty and change in various domains. By thinking broadly about the future and considering multiple possible futures, decision-makers can better plan for a range of potential outcomes and adjust their strategies as needed. While there are challenges associated with this approach, such as the need for continuous monitoring of the project performance, the benefits of improved decision-making and increased resilience make it a valuable tool for managing complex systems.

CWN remains committed to facilitating discussions on integrating climate adaptation into long-term municipal water planning. For more insights, reach out to Sandra Cooke, director of communities and climate, at [email protected].