Water utilities vulnerability assessment and adaption strategies for climate change in Jeju province

Climate adaptation strategies for water utilities including 16 water treatment plants(WTPs) in Jeju were investigated. Drought, heat wave, and heavy rain were among the most significant climate factors affecting water utilities in Jeju. Heat wave increases water temperature, which in turn increases the concentration of algae, color, and odor materials. Some adaption strategies for the heat wave can be strengthening water monitoring and introducing advanced water treatments. Heavy rain increases raw water turbidity in surface water. The 7 WTPs that take raw water from streams or springs had a maximum turbidity of less than 50 NTU under heavy rain. However, due to concerns of turbidity spike in treated water, some WTPs discontinued intaking raw water when raw water turbidity increased more than 2 NTU. They instead received treated water from other WTPs which took groundwater for water supply. This happens because of the low skills of employees. Thus, there needs to be an increase in operator competency and upgrade of water facilities for the adaption of heavy rain. To improve adaption for the drought, there should be an increase in the capacity of intake facilities of surface water as well as a decrease in water loss. In addition, water consumption per person should be decreased.

제주도 기후변화 관련 상수도시설 취약성 평가 및 적응대책