The Future Water Report Card serves as a compass, navigating through the complexities of water management.
However, to truly harness its potential and steer towards a sustainable future, it’s imperative to complement it with a Risk Register version. This enhanced tool not only amplifies the value and importance of proactive water management but also provides a structured framework for addressing emerging risks head-on.
The Future Water Report Card, produced through collaboration with over 100 organisations and stakeholders, offers a comprehensive evaluation of various facets of water management. From asset health and innovation to leakage and sewer maintenance, it provides a holistic snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing the water sector. However, the grading system employed underscores the need for deeper analysis and proactive measures to address the identified issues effectively.
A Risk Register version of the report card would serve as a dynamic repository of potential risks and their associated impacts on water security. Drawing insights from the existing evaluations, this would help to prioritise risks based on severity and likelihood, guiding stakeholders towards targeted interventions. For instance, customer side leakage, highlighted with a grade of D, underscores the need for broader metering implementation and possibly centralised ownership of supply-side pipes, by the water companies. By taking ownership, decision-making can be streamlined, facilitating the replacement of lead pipes and management of the customer pipes more effectively.
Moreover, the Risk Register version would facilitate a shift from reactive to proactive approaches in areas such as asset health and sewer maintenance. With grades of D and C/D respectively, these aspects underscore the urgency for comprehensive strategies and investments. By leveraging advanced technologies like GIS, BIM, and AI systems, stakeholders can enhance asset records and focus maintenance efforts based on predictive analytics, ensuring optimal infrastructure upkeep and performance.
Furthermore, the Risk Register version would advocate for a more inclusive and innovative approach to addressing water challenges. Efforts to stimulate innovation, highlighted with a grade of C/D, can be bolstered through outcome-based regulation and extended evaluation periods. By integrating innovative approaches within core business operations, water companies can overcome time constraints and procurement challenges, driving transformative change across the sector.
Incorporating recommendations from the Future Water Report Card, the Risk Register version would outline actionable steps for enhancing resilience across the sector. From establishing leakage supplier networks to embracing surface water management strategies, these recommendations provide a roadmap for collective action. By engaging all stakeholders – water companies, supply chains, local authorities, regulators – in the implementation of these recommendations, we can forge a resilient and sustainable water industry capable of meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow.
In conclusion, the Risk Register version of the Future Water Report Card is not just a tool for risk assessment but a catalyst for transformative change. By prioritising risks, advocating for innovation, and outlining actionable recommendations, it can offer to stakeholders a framework to help analyse and navigate the complexities of water management across several critical areas.
Get ready to join us on July 4th when we bring the Risk Register to life!