Abstract

This pilot project identified potential risks to the water and wastewater infrastructure in the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, as well as provided potential adaptation strategies to reduce the risks to the existing assets and future service areas. This guidance can serve as a template for other coastal communities to assess the vulnerability of their systems and identify adaptation strategies specific to their unique risks. With the template, local communities will be better able to decide how to allocate resources to meet challenges posed by SLR and extreme storm events. The effort included the following six steps to guide the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and CFPUA in adapting to potential changes associated with SLR:

1. Frame the Problem and Identify SLR Scenarios

2. Identification of Vulnerabilities and Risk

3. Develop a list of potential adaptation strategies

4. Link adaptation strategies to current process

5. Implement adaptation strategies

6. Monitor and reassess