Case Study:
Water and Wastewater Utilities
Planning for Climate Change
CAPITAL REGION WATER
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
Background
Capital Region Water (CRW) provides drinking water services to over 60,000 and wastewater services to over 130,000
residents and businesses in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and its neighboring communities. CRW's primary
drinking water source is the DeHart Reservoir, a 6 billion gallon reservoir located 25 miles north of Harrisburg which is
fed by Clarks Creek. The Susquehanna River is a secondary water source for CRW that can be used when additional
water supply is needed. CRW's water treatment plant, the Dr. Robert E. Young Water Services Center, is rated up to 20
million gallons per day (MGD) but usually experiences a demand of 8 MGD. CRW also operates the wastewater and
stormwater system comprised of both separate sanitary and storm sewer facilities and a combined sewer system, which
includes several pump stations and treats nearly 20 MGD of wastewater from Harrisburg and other neighboring
municipalities at their advanced wastewater treatment facility (AWTF).
Climate Threats
Flooding from intense precipitation and rising river levels is of concern to CRW. The city of Harrisburg was previously
affected by severe storm events, including Hurricane Agnes in 1972, Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 and river flooding from
snowmeltthat has compounded with increased spring precipitation. During Hurricane Agnes, nearby river levels
reached 36 feet, causing significant inundation at the AWTF. During Tropical Storm Lee, water rose onto the AWTF
property, flooding some of its access roads. The AWTF, wastewater pumping stations, DeHart Reservoir dam and raw
water intake, as well as an alternate raw water intake facility on the Susquehanna River are at risk from damage due to
flooding. Conversely, CRW also considered the threat of low water levels under a potential drought scenario. CRW is
concerned that such extreme events would become more frequent under a changing climate.
Planning Process
To better understand the vulnerability of their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and operations, CRW
assessed potential climate change impacts using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Resilience
Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT). The CREAT assessment brought together individuals from EPA and various
departments within CRW to think critically about potential climate impacts, prioritize assets and consider possible
adaptation options.
Adaptation Measures
CRW considered the potential consequences of extreme flooding and drought events on their drinking water and
wastewater utility infrastructure and operations. To assess each of these potential threats, CRW considered how
potential adaptive measures would help lower consequences. See the table below for potential adaptive measures that
were considered.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Case Study — Page 1
SEPA

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Case Study: Water and Wastewater Utilities Planning for Climate Change
TYPE	POTENTIAL ADAPTIVE MEASURES
Wastewater
Pumping Stations
AWTF
DeHart Reservoir
Back-up power for critical assets to prevent service loss during extreme events
Flood risk management plan to mitigate risks to the treatment facility, pumping stations and
collection system
Elevate electrical components and controls to mitigate flood risk
Replace pumps with those with submersible motors to prevent flooding damage
Backflow prevention
Infiltration reduction during severe rain events
Separate combined sewer system to reduce sewer overflows
Green infrastructure at CRW facilities for demonstration and public outreach and throughout
the community and public spaces
Increase wastewater treatment capacity to mitigate flooding risks
Combined sewer overflow strategies to mitigate risks posed by severe rain events and
flooding
Infiltration reduction during severe rain events
Improve drought contingency plan to address impacts from water quality changes or dropping
water levels in reservoirs
Leakage reduction
Demand management
Reduced conservation release through regulatory flexibility
Contact Information
For more information regarding CRW's climate adaptation planning, contact Tanya Dierolf at
Tanva.Dierolf@capitalreqionwater.com.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Case Study — Page 2
&EPA
Office of Water (4608T)
EPA 800-Q-15-010
December 2015

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