Adaptation strategies are provided below, organized by climate threat. The strategies are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address anticipated current and future climate threats to contaminated site management.
Targeted Adaptation Strategies for Climate Impacts on Waste Facilities
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Related Information
A variety of adaptation strategies are available to protect landfills and contaminated sites from climate change impacts. See a list of adaptation actions for protecting waste facilities.
Climate Impacts
- Concrete pad fortification
Repairing cracked pads or replacing inadequate pads (of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage), particularly those used for monitoring purposes, and integrating retaining walls along a concrete pad perimeter where feasible. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Concrete pad fortification
Repairing concrete cracks, replacing pads of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage, or integrating retaining walls along the pad perimeter. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed.
- Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access, or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Plantings
Selecting native grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants that are resistant to drought or increased temperatures where vegetation is used for shading, erosion control or wind breaks or for treatment or local buffering in wetland or riparian settings. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Building envelope upgrades
Replacing highly flammable materials with (or adding) fire- and mold/mildew-resistant insulating materials in a building, shed or housing envelope - Hazard alerts
Using electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions - Plantings
Installing drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants to provide shading, prevent erosion, provide wind breaks and reduce fire risk. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access, or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Liner system reinforcement
Selection of geomembranes with a maximum feasible thickness for new liner systems, use of a secondary liner or geotextile, or extension of geosynthetic materials to vulnerable sides of a waste cell.
- Armor enhancement for in situ cap
Additional or deeper layers of stone and/or gravel above a sand base layer to withstand scouring forces of ice jams. - Modeling expansion for MNA
Incorporation of additional subsurface parameters and sampling devices in monitoring plans to gauge the potential for re-suspension of contaminated sediment under more extreme weather/climate scenarios.
Precipitation
More intense and frequent storms, in some communities, will result in inundation and flooding at landfills and contaminated sites increasing the possibility of the transport of contaminants through surface soils, ground water, surface waters and/or coastal waters.
- Armor
Fixed structures placed on or along the shoreline of flowing inland water or ocean water to mitigate effects of erosion and protect site infrastructure; "soft" armor may comprise synthetic fabrics and/or deep-rooted vegetation while "hard" armor may consist of riprap, gabions and segmental retaining walls. - Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Concrete pad fortification
Repairing cracked pads or replacing inadequate pads (of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage), particularly those used for monitoring purposes, and integrating retaining walls along a concrete pad perimeter where feasible. - Containment fortification
Placement of riprap adjacent to a subsurface containment barrier located along moving surface water, to minimize bank scouring that could negatively affect barrier integrity. For soil/waste capping systems vulnerable to storm surge, installation of a protective vertical wall or armored base to absorb energy of the surge can prevent cap erosion or destruction. - Entombment
Enclosure of vulnerable equipment or control devices in a concrete structure. - Evapotranspiration cover modification
Replacement of existing vegetation with a plant mix more tolerant of long-term changes in precipitation or temperature, and/or soil addition to increase water storage capacity. - Flare enclosure
Industrial-strength protective material that surrounds equipment used to ignite and combust excess landfill gas. - Ground anchorage
One or more steel bars installed in cement-grouted boreholes (and in some cases accompanied by cables) to secure an apparatus on a ground surface or to reinforce a retaining wall against an earthen slope. - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards; for Flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance Study. - Retaining wall
A structure (commonly of concrete, steel sheet piles or timber) built to support earth masses having a vertical or near-vertical slope and consequently hold back loose soil, rocks or debris. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Coastal hardening
Building "soft" seawalls (through techniques such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation), jetties or groins to stabilize and shield a shoreline from erosion; in some cases, "hard" seawalls (such as those made of reinforced concrete) may be warranted. - Concrete pad fortification
Repairing concrete cracks, replacing pads of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage, or integrating retaining walls along the pad perimeter. - Flood controls
Building one or more structures to retain or divert floodwater, such as vegetated berms, drainage swales, levees, dams or retention ponds. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Relocation
Moving the system or its critical components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study. - Riverbank armor
Stabilizing banks of onsite segments of a river (or susceptible stream) through installation of "soft" armor (such as synthetic fabrics and/or deep-rooted vegetation) or "hard" armor (such as riprap, gabions and segmental retaining walls). - Slope fortification
Anchoring a slope through placement of concrete or rock elements against a slope and installing anchors and cables to secure the elements, or containing a slope through placement of netting to hold back rock and debris. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface.
- Dewatering well system
Installing additional boreholes at critical locations and depths to maintain target groundwater levels in the extraction/containment zone and reduce groundwater upwelling while not compromising the remediation system. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access, or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Flood controls
Building one or more earthen structures (such as vegetated berms, vegetated swales, stormwater ponds, levees, or dams) or installing fabricated drainage structures (such as culverts or French drains) to retain or divert floodwater spreading from adjacent surface water or land surface depressions. - Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Plantings
Selecting native grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants that are resistant to drought or increased temperatures where vegetation is used for shading, erosion control or wind breaks or for treatment or local buffering in wetland or riparian settings. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Building envelope upgrades
Replacing highly flammable materials with (or adding) fire- and mold/mildew-resistant insulating materials in a building, shed or housing envelope - Flood controls
Building one or more earthen structures (such as vegetated berms, vegetated swales, stormwater ponds, levees, or dams) or installing fabricated drainage structures (such as culverts or French drains) to retain or divert floodwater spreading from adjacent surface water or land surface depressions. - Hazard alerts
Using electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions. - Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Pervious pavement
Replacing impervious pavement that has deteriorated or impeded stormwater management with permeable pavement (in the form of porous asphalt, rubberized asphalt, pervious concrete or brick/block pavers) to filter pollutants, recharge aquifers and reduce stormwater volume entering the storm drain system. - Plantings
Installing drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants to provide shading, prevent erosion, provide wind breaks and reduce fire risk. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping or selected activities during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access, or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Construction at grade
Designing a new containment system to be built at rather than below ground surface, in order to minimize potential contact between groundwater and targeted waste (or an engineered liner) due to consistent rising of the water table. - Dewatering well system
Installing extraction wells at critical locations and depths to prevent or minimize groundwater upwelling into the waste zone of an aged landfill, waste consolidation unit, or lined engineered landfill. - Leachate extraction upgrades
Installation of additional wells (and aboveground pumps) for leachate extraction in vulnerable areas. - Liner system reinforcement
Selection of geomembranes with a maximum feasible thickness for new liner systems, use of a secondary liner or geotextile, or extension of geosynthetic materials to vulnerable sides of a waste cell. - Pipe burial
Installation of pipes below rather than above ground surface where feasible, particularly for landfill gas transfer. - Run-on controls
Building one or more earthen structures (such as vegetated berms, vegetated swales, or stormwater ponds) or installing fabricated drainage structures (such as culverts or French drains) at vulnerable locations to prevent stormwater accumulating at higher elevations from reaching a landfill/containment system.
- Armor enhancement for in situ cap
Additional or deeper layers of stone and/or gravel above a sand base layer to withstand scouring forces of ice jams. - Amendment settling enhancement
In situ placement of amendments through techniques such as broadcasting the material in a pelletized form or using a thicker layer of cover sand to accelerate material settling. - Deposition controls
Engineered structures such as dams to control the flow of flood-related deposition in settings where increased underwater deposition enhances remedy performance. - Modeling expansion for MNA
Incorporation of additional subsurface parameters and sampling devices in monitoring plans to gauge the potential for re-suspension of contaminated sediment under more extreme weather/climate scenarios.
- Armor on banks and floodplains
Fixed structures placed on or along the shoreline of flowing inland water or ocean water to mitigate effects of erosion and protect site infrastructure; "soft" armor may comprise synthetic fabrics and/or deep-rooted vegetation while "hard" armor may consist of riprap, gabions and segmental retaining walls. - Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Containment fortification
Placement of riprap adjacent to a subsurface containment barrier located along moving surface water, to minimize bank scouring that could negatively affect barrier integrity. For soil/waste capping systems vulnerable to storm surge, installation of a protective vertical wall or armored base to absorb energy of the surge can prevent cap erosion or destruction. - Ground anchorage
One or more steel bars installed in cement-grouted boreholes (and in some cases accompanied by cables) to secure an apparatus on a ground surface or to reinforce a retaining wall against an earthen slope. - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards; for flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study. - Retaining wall
A structure (commonly of concrete, steel sheet piles or timber) built to support earth masses having a vertical or near-vertical slope and consequently hold back loose soil, rocks or debris. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface.
Wind
Increased intensity of hurricanes may lead to spread of contaminants or damage to management structures.
- Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Containment fortification
Placement of riprap adjacent to a subsurface containment barrier located along moving surface water, to minimize bank scouring that could negatively affect barrier integrity. For soil/waste capping systems vulnerable to storm surge, installation of a protective vertical wall or armored base to absorb energy of the surge can prevent cap erosion or destruction. - Entombment
Enclosure of vulnerable equipment or control devices in a concrete structure. - Flare enclosure
Industrial-strength protective material that surrounds equipment used to ignite and combust excess landfill gas. - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Coastal hardening
Building "soft" seawalls (through techniques such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation), jetties or groins to stabilize and shield a shoreline from erosion; in some cases, "hard" seawalls (such as those made of reinforced concrete) may be warranted. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Relocation
Moving the system or its critical components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface.
- Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Well-head housing
Building insulated cover systems made of high density polyethylene or concrete for control devices and sensitive equipment situated aboveground for long periods.
- Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Plantings
Selecting native grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants that are resistant to drought or increased temperatures where vegetation is used for shading, erosion control or wind breaks or for treatment or local buffering in wetland or riparian settings. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Hazard alerts
Using electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions. - Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Plantings
Installing drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants to provide shading, prevent erosion, provide wind breaks and reduce fire risk. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping or selected activities during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access, or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Pipe burial
Installation of pipes below rather than above ground surface where feasible, particularly for landfill gas transfer.
- Amendment settling enhancement
In situ placement of amendments through techniques such as broadcasting the material in a pelletized form or using a thicker layer of cover sand to accelerate material settling. - Modeling expansion for MNA
Incorporation of additional subsurface parameters and sampling devices in monitoring plans to gauge the potential for re-suspension of contaminated sediment under more extreme weather/climate scenarios.
- Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Containment fortification
Placement of riprap adjacent to a subsurface containment barrier located along moving surface water, to minimize bank scouring that could negatively affect barrier integrity. For soil/waste capping systems vulnerable to storm surge, installation of a protective vertical wall or armored base to absorb energy of the surge can prevent cap erosion or destruction. - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study. - Tie down systems
Installing permanent mounts that allow rapid deployment of a cable system extending from the top of a unit to ground surface.
Sea Level Rise
Sea-level rise, increased storm surge, more intense and frequent storm events may all affect site assessments, risk analyses and cleanup designs.
- Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Concrete pad fortification
Repairing cracked pads or replacing inadequate pads (of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage), particularly those used for monitoring purposes, and integrating retaining walls along a concrete pad perimeter where feasible. - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Coastal hardening
Building "soft" seawalls (through techniques such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation), jetties or groins to stabilize and shield a shoreline from erosion. In some cases, "hard" seawalls (such as those made of reinforced concrete) may be warranted. - Concrete pad fortification
Repairing concrete cracks, replacing pads of insufficient size or with insufficient anchorage, or integrating retaining walls along the pad perimeter. - Flood controls
Building one or more structures to retain or divert floodwater, such as vegetated berms, drainage swales, levees, dams or retention ponds. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Relocation
Moving the system or its critical components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study.
- Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access or unexpected hydrologic conditions.
- Flood controls
Building one or more earthen structures (such as vegetated berms, vegetated swales, stormwater ponds, levees, or dams) or installing fabricated drainage structures (such as culverts or French drains) to retain or divert floodwater spreading from adjacent surface water or land surface depressions. - Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Plantings
Selecting native grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants that are resistant to drought or increased temperatures where vegetation is used for shading, erosion control or wind breaks or for treatment or local buffering in wetland or riparian settings. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills. For utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Flood controls
Building one or more earthen structures (such as vegetated berms, vegetated swales, stormwater ponds, levees, or dams) or installing fabricated drainage structures (such as culverts or French drains) to retain or divert floodwater spreading from adjacent surface water or land surface depressions. - Hazard alerts
Using electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions. - Hurricane straps
Integrating or adding heavy metal brackets that reinforce physical connection between the roof and walls of a building, shed or housing unit, including structures used for leachate and landfill gas management. - Plantings
Installing drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants to provide shading, prevent erosion, provide wind breaks and reduce fire risk. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping or selected activities during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Renewable energy system safeguards
Extended concrete footing for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, additional bracing for roof-top photovolatic or solar thermal systems, and additional masts for small wind turbines or windmills; for utility-scale systems, safeguards to address climate change vulnerabilities may be addressed in the site-specific renewable energy feasibility study. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Leachate extraction upgrades
Installation of additional wells (and aboveground pumps) for leachate extraction in vulnerable areas. - Liner system reinforcement
Selection of geomembranes with a maximum feasible thickness for new liner systems, use of a secondary liner or geotextile, or extension of geosynthetic materials to vulnerable sides of a waste cell.
- Amendment settling enhancement
In situ placement of amendments through techniques such as broadcasting the material in a pelletized form or using a thicker layer of cover sand to accelerate material settling. - Deposition controls
Engineered structures such as dams to control the flow of flood-related deposition in settings where increased underwater deposition enhances remedy performance. - Modeling expansion for MNA
Incorporation of additional subsurface parameters and sampling devices in monitoring plans to gauge the potential for re-suspension of contaminated sediment under more extreme weather/climate scenarios.
- Coastal hardening
Installation of structures to stabilize a shoreline and shield it from erosion, through "soft" techniques (such as replenishing sand and/or vegetation) or "hard" techniques (such as building a seawall or installing riprap). - Relocation
Moving selected system components to positions more distant or protected from potential hazards. For flooding threats, this may involve elevations higher than specified in the community's flood insurance study.
Wildfires
Increased frequency and intensity of wildfires may impact exposure and safety of existing waste and contaminated site management facilities.
- Entombment
Enclosure of vulnerable equipment or control devices in a concrete structure. - Fire barriers
Creating buffer areas (land free of dried vegetation and other flammable materials) around vulnerable remediation/monitoring components and installing manufactured systems (such as radiant energy shields and electrical raceway fire barriers) around heat-sensitive components. - Flare enclosure
Industrial-strength protective material that surrounds equipment used to ignite and combust excess landfill gas. - Retaining wall
A structure (commonly of concrete, steel sheet piles or timber) built to support earth masses having a vertical or near-vertical slope and consequently hold back loose soil, rocks or debris.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Fire barriers
Creating buffer areas (land free of dried vegetation and other flammable materials) around the treatment system and installing manufactured systems (such as radiant energy shields and raceway fire barriers) around heat-sensitive components. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed.
- Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access or unexpected hydrologic conditions.
- Plantings
Selecting native grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants that are resistant to drought or increased temperatures where vegetation is used for shading, erosion control or wind breaks or for treatment or local buffering in wetland or riparian settings. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Alarm networks
Integrating a series of sensors linked to electronic control devices that trigger shutdown of the system, or linked to audible/visual alarms that alert workers of the need to manually shut down the system, when specified operating or ambient parameters are exceeded. - Building envelope upgrades
Replacing highly flammable materials with (or adding) fire- and mold/mildew-resistant insulating materials in a building, shed or housing envelope - Hazard alerts
Using electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions. - Plantings
Installing drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, trees and other deep-rooted plants to provide shading, prevent erosion, provide wind breaks and reduce fire risk. - Power from off-grid sources
Constructing a permanent system or using portable equipment that provides power generated from onsite renewable resources, as a primary or redundant power supply that can operate independent of the utility grid when needed. - Remote access
Integrating electronic devices that enable workers to suspend pumping or selected activities during extreme weather events, periods of impeded access or unexpected hydrologic conditions. - Utility line burial
Relocating electricity and communication lines from overhead to underground positions, to prevent power outages during and often after extreme weather events. - Weather alerts
Electronic systems that actively inform subscribers of extreme weather events or provide Internet postings on local/regional weather and related conditions.
- Retaining wall
A structure (commonly of concrete, steel sheet piles or timber) built to support earth masses having a vertical or near-vertical slope and consequently hold back loose soil, rocks or debris.
Source Documents
These strategies are adapted from The Climate Change Adaptation Technical Fact Sheet Series. For more information please view these strategies in the context provided by the primary source document.
- Contaminated Sediment Remedies (8 pp, 869 K)
- Landfills and Containment as an Element of Site Remediation (8 pp, 853 K)
- Groundwater Remediation Systems (8 pp, 856 K)
Disclaimer
The adaptation strategies provided are intended to inform and assist communities in identifying potential alternatives. They are illustrative and are presented to help communities consider possible ways to address current and future climate threats to contaminated site management. Read the full disclaimer.
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