Water is integral to the survival and success of every nation across the globe. The water industry encompasses a variety of businesses involved in processes involving running pumping stations, water catchments, wastewater treatment plants, desalination plants, transport pipelines and dams and reservoirs for drinking water. The industry contributes $23 billion annually to Australia’s economy, and as a country with one of the highest water consumption rates per capita, protecting the water industry from the negative impacts of crises and emergencies is critical to protecting individuals, communities and company profitability.
The water industry is subject to the requirements of many pieces of legislation, with many focusing on water quality, water management and how to respond to emergencies regarding water related incidents. This is due to not only how critical it is to have readily available water for a country’s survival, but also due to the numerous ways that water can be contaminated, leading to disastrous consequences if not managed correctly. Water contamination can occur due to the effects of storms, floods, groundwater pollution, soil pollution, chemical spills and poor waste and sanitation management. Safety incidents, blue-green algae growths and wastewater service incidents can all also lead to water quality issues.
Water contamination events can have serious and deadly consequences if not responded to effectively. Consumption of contaminated water can lead to vast disease outbreaks, including the spread of salmonella, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A and parasites. Water contamination can also lead to excessive uptake of chemicals including nitrates, fluorides and salts that can be potentially damaging in high quantities. Contaminated water can lead to water shortages, negatively impacting the water supply available for community consumption, manufacturing and livestock and crop production. Water companies can be subjected to reputational harm should a water contamination incident occur and be unproperly handled, leading to financial harm and potentially legal issues, should it be found that regulatory requirements were not complied with.
