The signs of a changing climate are no longer subtle, they’re here, and they’re reshaping life in Florida. Hurricane Helene was a wakeup call. According to the World Weather Attribution, its wind speeds were 11% stronger and rainfall totals about 10% higher because of climate change. Tampa’s own Vulnerability Assessment confirms what many already suspect: extreme rainfall, storm surge and gradual sea-level rise are among the greatest risks facing the region.
For utilities, these changes aren’t abstract, they’re operational challenges that demand immediate action. How we prepare today will determine whether we can reliably deliver water, power and essential services to a growing population in the decades ahead.
Climate adaptation isn’t just technical, it’s financial. Utilities should start budgeting for resilience projects now and explore grants, partnerships and regional collaborations to share costs. Waiting until the next major storm or flood event will only make solutions more expensive and harder to implement.
Florida is projected to get hotter, with summer temperatures climbing 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2075. That means more energy demand for cooling and more stress on water systems. At the same time, rainfall patterns will become less predictable. Swings between heavy downpours and prolonged droughts will be the new normal.
For water utilities, this means planning for greater irrigation demand, less aquifer recharge and uncertainty in supply. The old assumption of steady seasonal rainfall is gone. What can utilities do now?
Expand water storage capacity through reservoirs or aquifer recharge projects to buffer against drought
Invest in water reuse and recycling systems to stretch every gallon
Promote smart irrigation and drought-resistant landscaping to curb demand
Enhance leak detection and pipeline maintenance — every drop counts
Adopt tiered pricing and conservation incentives to encourage efficiency
Work with energy providers to forecast cooling demand and integrate renewable power for pumping and treatment
Strengthen emergency response plans for both floods and dry spells
These steps aren’t just good practice, they’re essential for resilience in a hotter, less predictable climate.
Sea-level rise may feel distant, but it’s happening now. Based on long-term Key West data, Florida’s sea level is expected to rise 0.7 feet by 2050 and 1.6 feet by 2075. While most homes and businesses won’t be underwater soon, the impacts will be real: permanent loss of coastal ecosystems, amplified storm surges and more frequent flooding in low-lying areas like Tampa Bay, the Gulf Coast and barrier islands.
Higher seas mean higher groundwater, more saltwater intrusion and greater risk to infrastructure. Action steps for utilities should include:
Map vulnerable assets — pump stations, treatment plants, substations — and prioritize upgrades
Elevate or harden critical facilities above projected flood levels
Plan for saltwater intrusion with desalination or blending strategies
Upgrade stormwater systems to handle surge and prevent backflow
Ensure emergency power and access routes for crews during floods
Coordinate with local governments on protection priorities and funding
Invest in monitoring and predictive modeling to stay ahead of groundwater change
Climate change is insidious because it moves slowly until it doesn’t. It’s easy to push adaptation down the priority list when day-to-day demands feel more urgent. But ignoring these trends will leave Florida’s utilities — and the communities they serve — vulnerable.
Meeting the water and energy needs of a growing population is already a challenge. Layer on hotter summers, erratic rainfall and rising seas, and the stakes become clear: Resilience must be mainstreamed into every planning process. Decision-makers should stay informed, build flexibility into designs and act boldly now.
Florida’s future depends on it.
Bob Maliva, who lives in Fort Myers, is the principal hydrogeologist at the engineering firm WSP. This opinion piece was originally published by the Tampa Bay Times and was distributed by The Invading Sea website (www.theinvadingsea.com). The site posts news and commentary on climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida.