Water Suppliers are expected to have Emergency Preparedness in place to deliver safe drinking water and recover from an event. This is an explicit expectation of the Water Services Act 2021 and the CDEM Act 2002.
Emergency Preparedness is one element of a Drinking Water Safety Plan. With Climate Change and an increase in weather events the need to have preparedness in place will only increase for Water Suppliers.
We see Emergency Preparedness is most successfully implemented when it is integrated into day-to-day operational practice where practical and shared across the Waters Team.
Wai Comply can deliver Emergency Management Services in two parts:
- Onsite Emergency Management Support Services – delivered at the time of a Water Quality Event to support the Water Supplier to recovery and return to normal service and the delivery of safe drinking water and maintain compliance duties.
- Emergency Management Preparation Services – delivered prior to an event. Support the Water Supplier to be as prepared as possible. Review existing preparedness documentation in place to respond effectively to an event. This includes a review of current state against a Water Services Emergency Management Framework, development or modification of key documentation required to respond, develop scenarios for workshops and exercises.
Wai Comply’s Emergency Management Framework includes the following:
- The definition of Levels of response – aligned to the water supplier.
- All Hazards Approach – Focus on the impact of the event/severity of the event on the Water Supply.
- Team Focus – Focusing on the teams impacted by any Particular Level of event.
- The emergency response documentation required for immediate and practical response by the teams impacted – resources for immediate response by Management, Operations and Communications Teams.
- Contingency Planning – in Peacetime. What are the priorities of the Water Supplier can guide planning, response and decision-making in an event.
Contingency Plans and Response Plans – Focused on the impact of the event:
- Water Quality Events
- Water Quantity Events
- Loss of Source
- Loss of Treatment
- Loss of Water Supply Network
If you would like to discuss your current Emergency Preparedness for the delivery of safe drinking water and your ability to respond effectively to a significant event get in contact with us.
Interested in finding out more?
Our team of dedicated and experienced Drinking-water experts are here to help!