EVENT

Sea-level rise (SLR) is impacting coastal groundwater by raising water tables and shifting salinity profiles inland, resulting in more corrosive subsurface conditions. Up to 1,546 low-lying coastal municipalities worldwide face various risks from these changes, which can occur decades before the occurrence of surface flooding. Damage is accumulating in infrastructure networks that lie partially or fully underground. Since this damage is largely hidden and not immediately evident, it is often overlooked in infrastructure management and planning. In this presentation, Dr. Shellie Habel will explore the effects of SLR on coastal groundwater, the associated threats to critical infrastructure, and the potential for urban contamination. It also highlights the University of Hawaiʻi Climate Resilience Collaborative’s progress in groundwater monitoring and modeling, multidisciplinary collaborations, and partnerships with agencies to incorporate these considerations into planning efforts.