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Sustainable and Resilient Solid Waste Infrastructure: Davenport, Iowa Case Study
Citation:
Kaplan, Pervin, K. Weitz, AND S. Thorneloe-Howard. Sustainable and Resilient Solid Waste Infrastructure: Davenport, Iowa Case Study. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-22/263, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated that by 2100 global warming will cause sea levels to rise by approximately 0.5 to 3 feet (IPCC, 2001). The 2001 IPCC estimates have since been updated and the 2100 predictions now range from 0.66 to 6.6 feet (U.S. Global Climate Change Research Program, 2014). Projected sea level rise coupled with other climate events such as more frequent and intense storms may increase recurring damage to municipal infrastructure, including waste sector facilities. The potential for impacts from climate events thus creates an immediate concern for the security and resiliency of communities. The goal for this project was to examine resiliency and sustainability aspects of municipal solid waste (MSW) management infrastructure using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) suite of existing tools and resources including the Disaster Debris Recovery Tool (DDRT) and Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool (MSW DST) to understand the effects of climate related impacts (e.g., flooding) on waste facilities and their operation. EPA’s Environment Justice tool EJ Screen was also used to evaluate social aspects of waste facility locations. The results from this project are intended for use in gaining a better understanding of the nature of climate-induced impacts in communities and how those impacts can affect waste management infrastructure and planning needs, as well as options available for enhancing resilience of waste and urban infrastructure. The City of Davenport, Iowa was selected as the project site through discussions among the project team based on its proximity to a major river, availability of data, and a varied set of waste facilities. The City of Davenport is part of the Quad Cities Region in Iowa and Illinois. The Mississippi River separates the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf from the Illinois Quad cities of Rock Island and Moline.
Description:
The goal for this report was to examine current municipal solid waste (MSW) management infrastructure of Davenport, Iowa and provide scenarios with resilience, sustainability, and equity considerations in mind. The City of Davenport, Iowa was selected as the project site through discussions among the project team based on its proximity to a major river, availability of data, and a varied set of waste facilities. The City of Davenport is part of the Quad Cities Region in Iowa and Illinois. The Mississippi River separates the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf from the Illinois Quad cities of Rock Island and Moline. Existing tools and data resources created by the State of Iowa (e.g., Iowa Flood Information System) were used to characterize potential climate events and associated impacts. Tools from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) including the Disaster Debris Recovery Tool (DDRT) was used to identify regional waste management infrastructure and the Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool (MSW DST) was used to characterize the cost and life-cycle environmental impacts of MSW management and infrastructure options. EPA’s Environmental Justice tool, EJScreen, was also used to evaluate social aspects of waste facility locations. The study presents scenarios exploring vulnerabilities to climate impacts (e.g., flooding) and sustainability of management practices—including reporting on cost, environmental impacts and environmental justice aspects of facility siting. For purposes of this study, infrastructure includes not only MSW collection and management infrastructure but also supporting urban infrastructure such roads, bridges, electricity and water utilities. The results from this project are intended for use to gain a better understanding of the nature of potential climate events in communities and how those events can impact waste management infrastructure and planning needs, and to evaluate the current MSW management system and options to enhance its sustainability from cost and life-cycle environmental perspectives.