1E Decision support for water systems in a changing world

This project will evaluate how different scenarios, based on the IPCC’s work on SSPs for climate change, urbanization and population growth, can affect the outcome of a cost-benefit analysis of measures in water and wastewater systems. The scenarios will be related to existing challenges faced by the water and wastewater system, with a focus on maintenance and renewal needs, additional water problems, adaptation of water and wastewater systems to reduce the risks of flooding due to precipitation and rising levels in rivers and seas, and lack of skills.
The project uses advanced models to simulate the technical performance of water systems now and in the future and for CBA.

Project goals:

Develop the theoretical risk model developed in phase 1 into a practical calculation tool in Excel, for data available at Sweden’s municipalities and water and sewage companies.
Through tests in case studies at participating municipalities and water companies, develop key figures and standard costs for the effects of inflowing water and measures to reduce inflowing water and describe how these data are used in the cost-benefit analysis of measures.
Develop a procedure for how existing scenarios for climate impact, urbanization and population development can be included in a cost-benefit analysis of measures in water and wastewater systems.
Develop a methodology for estimating the reliability of a cost-benefit analysis based on consideration of scenarios for climate impact, urbanization and population development.
Quantify how much impact the different scenarios can have on calculations of socio-economic profitability of measures in water and wastewater systems.
Evaluate how the choice of scenarios affects problem owners’ interpretation and use of cost-benefit analysis.
Develop a prototype for a tool for cost-benefit analysis where sensitivity analyses of available scenarios for climate change, population development and urbanization are included. The tool can be developed to be used by water and wastewater authorities as a basis for strategic decisions.