Enhancing connectivity and interdependence among water utilities amidst climate change in South East Asia

Abstract

The actual impact of climate change on water utilities in Asia were not really felt until the recent climatic turbulence. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, floods, droughts, extreme weather conditions and encroaching seas were regarded as normal. Hence none were prepared for the climatic disasters that occurred in several parts of Asia last year. The ferocious typhoons that hit Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Japan have given a good indication of what the water utilities are up against. Typhoon Ketsana brought the worst rainfall to Metro Manila among recorded typhoons since the start of rainfall record-keeping in Philippines. Rene Almemdras, President of Manila Water claimed that they lost many pumps and generators to the flood waters and workers had to toil day and night to keep services functioning (Asian Wate, October 2009). In contrast, water utilities in Australia have accepted that decreasing and less reliable rainfall is a reality. Water utilites now realize the need to work interdependently with governments (international, national, state, local), the private sector, voluntary organizations and the general public to counter the ill effects of climate change. This paper examines the emergent interdependent relationships and explores the strategies employed by water utilities in liasion with other parties in the region for a wide range of scenarios from the lowest of lows and the highest of highs of climate change.