Why worry? Community water system managers’ perceptions of climate vulnerability

A mail survey of community water systems (CWS) managers in South Carolina and in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River Basin addresses perceptions of climate vulnerabilities. Managers report the nature of vulnerabilities to 10 weather and climate events. More detailed analysis of droughts, lightning strikes, and floods shows that the most significant concerns reflect financial and technological challenges. Neither water system size nor water source is a consistent indicator of perceived vulnerability. Regarding droughts, the expected severity of impacts relates significantly to experience with prior droughts, expectations of financial problems, and difficulty meeting water quality requirements. In order for vulnerability analysis to better inform adaptation processes, further research is needed into the management challenges resulting from the interaction of diverse climate events, technological systems, and public expectations.