Water Supply Management in Business Environments

Assignment Brief

Evaluating Risk and Decisions

Background and context:

The potential for interruptions to water supplies is at risk from a range of factors which include human intervention and climate.

According to Milley, Betancourt, et al, (2008) the notion of Stationarity is dead and the authors query: Whither Water Management?  Stationarity is the idea that natural systems fluctuate with an unchanging envelope of variability.  However, more recent views are that this assumption has long been compromised by human disturbance. 

An insight into the art of risk management related to water supply and sanitation, together with an international framework has been developed using the standard: BS EN 15975-2 (2013) which covers the security of drinking water supply. (A useful source which provides guidelines for risk and crisis management related to this standard has been posted onto moodle)

Together Water^TM have been retained to raise awareness of the “Every.Drop.Counts” campaign that was launched by the successful consultancy in 2018.  The focus of the brief is to encourage businesses to be aware of the potential risks to continuous water supply within the workplace.  Undertake independent research that may include reports from business media, publications from statutory bodies and governments in order to draw on practitioner examples, together with supporting theoretical sources to undertake the following

1. Critically evaluate the components which are widely recognised as contributory factors to the concept and occurrence of risk within a business and societal setting and acknowledges economic and legal implications.  Your response should focus on water supply. (35 marks)

2. A knowledge transfer of the classification of risk, as a foundation for the design and development of a water risk management plan which identifies the potential hazards, hazard sources and hazardous events prior to assessing the associated risks. Evaluate the control measures to be implemented for the identified risks.  State how the control measures and effectiveness of the WRMP will be monitored from an operational perspective, including corrective actions, record keeping and review frequencies. (50 marks)

3. In each section the use of supporting recent and relevant academic theory is required to underpin your answer. (05 marks)

4. Professional business presentation and structure with clear headings, sub-headings and that includes a brief introduction and summary will also be an aspect of the overall assignment mark. (10 marks)

Sample Answer

Water Supply Management in Business Environments

Introduction

Water is one of the most critical resources for any society and business operation. Yet, its continuous supply faces increasing threats from climate change, infrastructure degradation, pollution, and human activity. According to Milly et al. (2008), the assumption of stationarity, that natural systems fluctuate within predictable limits, no longer holds true, meaning that water management must now consider uncertainty as a permanent condition. This essay critically evaluates the key factors contributing to risk in relation to business water supply, addressing both economic and legal implications. It further develops a practical Water Risk Management Plan (WRMP) based on the principles of BS EN 15975-2 (2013), outlining hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures, and operational monitoring to ensure long-term resilience.

Critical Evaluation of Risk Factors in Business and Society

The concept of risk involves the likelihood of an event and its potential consequences (Aven, 2015). In the context of water supply, risk is influenced by environmental, social, economic, and regulatory factors. Climate change represents one of the most significant contributors to water risk, as extreme weather events, droughts, and flooding can disrupt supply chains and infrastructure (IPCC, 2021). Urbanisation and industrial expansion further increase water demand, creating competition between sectors and regions (Vörösmarty et al., 2010).

From a business perspective, operational dependency on water extends beyond direct use. For instance, manufacturing, food processing, and energy production rely heavily on water for cooling, cleaning, or product formulation. Interruptions in supply can lead to production delays, reputational harm, and financial loss (Sarni, 2015). The 2018 UK heatwave highlighted these vulnerabilities, with several businesses reporting reduced productivity and higher costs due to water restrictions (Environment Agency, 2019).

Legally, water supply risk is governed by the Water Industry Act (1991) and the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (2018), which require suppliers to ensure both quality and reliability. Failure to comply can lead to litigation, fines, and damage to corporate reputation. Economically, the cost of water disruptions can be severe. According to the World Bank (2020), water-related risks could reduce global GDP by up to 6% by 2050 due to their impact on production and supply chains. Businesses therefore have both a legal and economic duty to manage water risk proactively.

Culturally and socially, awareness of sustainability has become a moral and reputational issue. Campaigns such as Together WaterTM’s “Every.Drop.Counts” highlight the ethical responsibility of businesses to conserve water and reduce wastage. These factors make risk management not only a compliance issue but a strategic necessity.

Continued...