Guidance on RIDB hazard selection and use in the WCSP

Abstract

Potential effects of climate dynamics on the urban water cycle can involve the aggravation of existing conditions as well as occurrence of new hazards or risk factors. The risks associated with expected climate changes have to be dealt with by the society in general and by the water utilities and related stakeholders in particular. For this, an integrated approach for dealing with existing and expected levels of risk is required. In PREPARED Task 2.1.1 a WCSP framework was proposed for such an integrated approach. One of the steps for WCSP application is risk identification. This document gives guidance for hazard selection and identification and corresponding events to be considered in the WCSP. Plausible hazards identified in the urban water cycle are listed and briefly presented, including information on the consequences of the exposure as well as the potential causes and relevance of specific climate change indicators or effects. Fault trees were constructed for each of the listed hazards to allow identification of potential events, risk sources, risk factors and contributing causes. These were verified together with stakeholder participants and suggestions incorporated. Three applications (Risk Identification Data Base RIDB; Register of historical hazards; Check list to filter risk sources) developed within PREPARED, intended to facilitate risk identification, are presented.