The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA launched a program to help water utilities across the country adapt to climate change. This includes the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
David Travers, Director of the EPA’s Water Security Division, said the agency selected 20 water utilities from around the country.
The utilities vary in their locations and their concerns. Travers said the Tribe wants to focus on two climate change-related issues.
“The climate change impacts that they’re interested in addressing are sea level rise and saltwater intrusion into the aquifer,” Travers said.
Each community is using software created by the EPA that will allow them to do a risk assessment of their systems.
The EPA and contractors will also provide technical assistance and help the utilities come up with an adaption plan.
The agency set aside about $600,000 for the program. Travers said the Tribe will receive about $30,000 worth of assistance.
They plan to have the risk assessment and an initial adaptation plan completed by next June.
Travers said the EPA will provide further support over the next two to three years.
